Update

A new computer game developed by James Cook University's Centre for Disaster studies, is aimed at helping children across northern Australia prepare for the physical and mental onslaught of the cyclone season...

In preparation for another seismic event, the Port Moresby Geophysical Observatory (PMGO) is replacing its monitoring equipment 'The new seismic network would comprise 10 stations evenly distributed across the region', said PMGO assistant director Chris McKee....

'The congress will focus on climate change, identify its impacts, review the gender aspects, study its implications and then formulate gender-responsive legislation and policies said Dr. Kim Jung-Sook, president of the CAPWP....

'We should promote the use of anti-seismic engineering technology innovation to build safer residential areas, communities and cities' said Vice Premier Hui Liangyu...

'Starting 2009, the anti-disaster ability would be one integral part of grid planning. Reports on new power facility building projects must be made, and with it, necessary protective measures' said Zhang Guobao, vice director of the NDRC

'Legislation enacted a disaster mitigation act in 2000. Each county is encouraged to have a hazard mitigation plan in place' said Nicholas Pinter, a geology professor from Southern Illinois University Carbondale....

Sensible and cost effective risk reduction programmes, such as early warning systems, strengthened building codes, and emergency preparedness strategies, are the best defense against future catastrophe....

'More than one hundred people have now attended the course and I expect an additional 50-75 will take it in the coming year.' said Joseph Espi, acting director of the Centre for Disaster Reduction in Port Moresby....

'If we do not build in adaptation and disaster risk reduction into development work now, the costs in emergency and humanitarian response and reconstruction of future disasters will be off the charts' says Salvano Briceno of the UNISDR Secretariat...

Much more needs to be done and much greater funding made available to mitigate the devastating toll of natural disasters in an age when climate change threatens to increase both their frequency and severity, according to new UN report...