Showing papers on "Natural disaster published in 2000"

The public health consequences of disasters.

Abstract: Although disasters have exacted a heavy toll of death and suffering, the future seems more frightening. Good disaster management must link data collection and analysis to the decision-making process. The overall objectives of disaster management from the viewpoint of public health are: 1) needs assessments; 2) matching available resources with defined needs; 3) prevention of further adverse health effects; 4) implementation of disease-control strategies; 5) evaluation of the effectiveness of the application of these strategies; and 6) improvement in contingency planning for future disasters. The effects of sudden-onset, natural disasters on humans are quantifiable. Knowledge of the epidemiology of deaths, injuries, and illnesses is essential to determine effective responses; provide public education; establish priorities, planning, and training. In addition, the temporal patterns for the medical care required must be established so that the needs in future disasters can be anticipated. This article discusses: 1) the nature of disasters due to sudden-onset, natural events; 2) the medical and health needs associated with such events and disasters; 3) practical issues of disaster responses; and 4) the advance organization and management of disasters. The discussion also includes: 1) discussions of past problems in disaster management including non-congruence between available supplies and the actual needs of the affected population; 2) information management; 3) needs assessments; 4) public health surveillance; and 5) linking information with decision-making. This discussion is followed by an analysis of what currently is known about the health-care needs during some specific types of sudden-onset, natural disasters: 1) floods; 2) tropical cyclones; 3) tornadoes; 4) volcanic eruptions; and 5) earthquakes. The article concludes with descriptions of some specific public-health problems associated with disasters including epidemics and disposition of corpses. All natural disasters are unique in that the regions affected have different social, economic, and health backgrounds. But, many similarities exist, and knowledge about these can ensure that the health and emergency medical relief and limited resources are well-managed.

Hazard Warning Systems: Review of 20 Years of Progress

Abstract: The United States has no comprehensive national warning strategy that covers all hazards in all places. Instead, public warning practices are decentralized across different governments and the private sector. Uneven preparedness to issue warnings exists across local communities; hence, people are unevenly protected from the surprise onset of natural disasters. Without changes in this situation, inequalities will grow larger, and the gains made in saving lives over the past decades may well be reversed. Since the first assessment of research on natural hazards was completed in 1975, there have been significant improvements in forecasts and warnings for some hazards but only marginal improvements for others. Forecasts for floods, hurricanes, and volcanic eruptions have improved most significantly, and public dissemination of warnings has improved the most for hurricanes. However, a 100% reliable warning system does not exist for any hazard.

Economic Lessons of the Kobe Earthquake

Abstract: The earthquake that struck the Japanese port city of Kobe on January 17, 1995, was the most severe quake ever to strike a modern urban area. It has become the most studied, analyzed, and discussed natural disaster in history. What I propose to add to this dialogue is an economist's overview of what he saw in Kobe 19 months after the event and what he learned during the ensuing 6 months.

Natural Disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean: An Overview of Risk

Abstract: This paper integrates information from both economics and the physical sciences to survey the effects of natural disasters in the region. A first section surveys the human and economic impact of natural disasters in the region at both the household and aggregate levels, noting both the geographical distribution of disaster risk and its long-term implications for development. A second section reviews types of disasters prevalent in the region, and future disaster risks, as well as the socio-economic sources of vulnerability to disasters resulting from development and migration patterns. A third section discusses risk management strategies at the household and community level, with public policy options and proposals for emergency response and finding an appropriate mix of local, national and market-based solutions.

Managing disaster risk in emerging economies

Abstract: This book presents papers on several events organized by the World Bank's Disaster Management Fund (DMF). The DMF's objectives are to help the Bank provide a more strategic and rapid response to disaster emergencies and to integrate disaster prevention and mitigation measures in all Bank activities. Part I of this book on risk identification contains chapters on the economic impacts on natural disasters in developing countries, including flooding, with the example of Buenos Aires; and time scales of climate and disaster. Part II explores aspects of reducing disaster risk, such as the relationship of infrastructure, natural disasters, and poverty; flooding issues in the United States, incentives for risk management and mitigation concerning cultural heritage; issues related to single-family housing, women, and children; and climate change from a development perspective. Part III looks at strategies for developing countries to more effectively share and transfer disaster risk from the angles of risk and insurance by the poor in developing countries; financing disaster mitigation for the poor; moral dimensions of risk transfer and reduction strategies; incentives for mitigation investment and risk management to encourage public-private partnerships; and linking catastrophe insurance and mitigating disaster losses.

El Niño and human health

Abstract: The El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the best known example of quasi-periodic natural climate variability on the interannual time scale. It comprises changes in sea temperature in the Pacific Ocean (El Nino) and changes in atmospheric pressure across the Pacific Basin (the Southern Oscillation), together with resultant effects on world weather. El Nino events occur at intervals of 2-7 years. In certain countries around the Pacific and beyond, El Nino is associated with extreme weather conditions that can cause floods and drought. Globally it is linked to an increased impact of natural disasters. There is evidence that ENSO is associated with a heightened risk of certain vector-borne diseases in specific geographical areas where weather patterns are linked with the ENSO cycle and disease control is limited. This is particularly true for malaria, but associations are also suggested in respect of epidemics of other mosquito-borne and rodent-borne diseases that can be triggered by extreme weather conditions. Seasonal climate forecasts, predicting the likelihood of weather patterns several months in advance, can be used to provide early indicators of epidemic risk, particularly for malaria. Interdisciplinary research and cooperation are required in order to reduce vulnerability to climate variability and weather extremes.

Natural Disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean: An Overview of Risk

Abstract: This paper integrates information from both economics and the physical sciences to survey the effects of natural disasters in the region. A first section surveys the human and economic impact of natural disasters in the region at both the household and aggregate levels, noting both the geographical distribution of disaster risk and its long-term implications for development. A second section reviews types of disasters prevalent in the region, and future disaster risks, as well as the socio-economic sources of vulnerability to disasters resulting from development and migration patterns. A third section discusses risk management strategies at the household and community level, with public policy options and proposals for emergency response and finding an appropriate mix of local, national and market-based solutions.

Cities, Disasters and Livelihoods

Abstract: Recent natural disasters show that it is almost always the poorest who are worst affected. The rapidly urbanizing cities of Asia, Africa and Latin America present unprecedented concentrations of poverty, and in so doing mark new levels of vulnerability. Increasing urbanization brings new challenges to reducing the threat of disaster. Yet disasters are often ignored until they strike, when the damage has been done and relief is the only response. The situation is compounded by the separation of urban programming from disaster management. In a future context of increased urban growth, however, marked by an inevitable increase in urban disasters, new approaches that ‘mainstream’ disaster mitigation into urban development interventions at all levels are needed. Livelihood methodologies being practised by an increasing number of developmental organizations take account of the threat of disaster as intrinsic to developmental strategies. Livelihoods offer one approach that unifies understandings of both disaster management with development planning. Such an approach has major policy implications for decision makers aiming to make cities truly sustainable.

Remote Sensibilities: Discourses of Technology and the Making of Indonesia’s Natural Disaster

Abstract: During the extended El Nin˜o drought of 1997–8, fires devastated Indonesia’s forests, creating a vast shroud of smoke that reached as far as mainland Southeast Asia. This article examines the interpretation of these fires — their causes, damages and solutions — by the Indonesian government, international donors, environmental activists and local farmers. It explores the contexts and consequences of these discourses of disaster, and specifically investigates the central role of remote technology — a ‘hegemonic’ representational tool, in some circumstances creatively appropriated to serve new democratic agendas. A narrow focus on remotely sensed data is not strictly a methodological but also a political choice, one which obscures alternative experiences of disaster and produces solutions that do not address long term social and political processes leading to the fires. What is missing from most current analyses of the fires, and from remote assessments in general, is a textured understanding of social landscapes and the role they play in creating fire hazards.

Remote sensing for natural disaster management

Abstract: Natural disasters are extreme events within the earth's system that result in death or injury to humans, and damage or loss of valuable goods, such as buildings, communication systems, agricultural land, forest, natural environment etc. The economic losses due to natural disasters have shown an increase with a factor of eight over the past four decades, caused by the increased vulnerability of the global society, but also due to an increase in the number of weather-related disasters. For the management of natural disasters a large amount of multi -temporal spatial data is required. Satellite remote sensing is the ideal tool for disaster management, since it offers information over large areas, and at short time intervals. Although it can be utilised in the various phases of disaster management, such as prevention, preparedness, relief, and reconstruction, in practice up till now it is mostly used for warning and monitoring. During the last decades remote sensing has become an operational tool in the disaster preparedness and warning phases for cyclones, droughts and floods. The use of remote sensing data is not possible without a proper tool to handle the large amounts of data and combine it with data coming from other sources, such as maps or measurement stations. Therefore, together with the growth of the remote sensing applications, Geographic Information Systems have become increasingly important for disaster management. This chapter gives a review of the use of remote sensing and GIS for a number of major disaster types.

Cyclone mitigation, resource allocation and post-disaster reconstruction in south India: lessons from two decades of research.

Abstract: This paper opens with a history of development and disaster-prevention strategies in a cyclone-prone area of the east coast of India and traces the evolution in the area of British and Indian governments' programmes and policy over a century. Research over the last 20 years has shown, however, that the programmes and policies have failed to balance economic growth with safety. Resources intended for the benefit of all have been diverted by alliances of powerful people to a small minority, and recent developments have reduced the physical protection of the area. The result is that increasing numbers of people are vulnerable to the effects of cyclones and floods. The findings suggest that the best way to reduce vulnerability is to improve the socio-economic standing of the most vulnerable and for this to happen these people must have an assured income based on assets that will enable them to acquire social and economic credit-worthiness within the local economy. This paper presents evidence that suggests that non-governmental organisation (NGO)-supported co-operatives are the best way to achieve this through self-help and self-employment schemes. It also suggests that NGOs should be encouraged to take up environmentally and ecologically beneficial activities involving the poorest groups in the communities, in this way combining sustained self-employment with environmental protection. Language: en

Managing Disaster Risk in Emerging Economies

Abstract: This book presents papers on several events organized by the World Bank's Disaster Management Fund (DMF) The DMF's objectives are to help the Bank provide a more strategic and rapid response to disaster emergencies and to integrate disaster prevention and mitigation measures in all Bank activities Part I of this book on risk identification contains chapters on the economic impacts on natural disasters in developing countries, including flooding, with the example of Buenos Aires; and time scales of climate and disaster Part II explores aspects of reducing disaster risk, such as the relationship of infrastructure, natural disasters, and poverty; flooding issues in the United States, incentives for risk management and mitigation concerning cultural heritage; issues related to single-family housing, women, and children; and climate change from a development perspective Part III looks at strategies for developing countries to more effectively share and transfer disaster risk from the angles of risk and insurance by the poor in developing countries; financing disaster mitigation for the poor; moral dimensions of risk transfer and reduction strategies; incentives for mitigation investment and risk management to encourage public-private partnerships; and linking catastrophe insurance and mitigating disaster losses

U.s. participation in international decade for natural disaster reduction

Abstract: The United Nations' International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction has now concluded. The time has come to take stock. Decade framers set forth 3 targets for each nation: hazard identification and risk assessment; a mitigation strategy, couched in terms of plans for sustainable development; and improved warning and dissemination. By this measure, the U.S. experience was moderately successful. Public awareness of natural hazards is growing rapidly. Correspondingly, national policies toward natural disasters are shifting dramatically; aligning better with the nature of the problem as experts currently understand it. The 1990s saw natural hazards lose much of the element of surprise; today, natural extremes are forecast and their threats anticipated more successfully than ever before. However, despite this progress, losses in the U.S. due to natural disasters continued to rise sharply during the decade. More ominously, the nature and profile of disasters and their losses appear to be mutating in response to rapid societal change. Advances in our understanding of the geophysical, engineering, and societal causes of citizens are no safer they than were a decade ago. Local and regional economies are proving too vulnerable to disruption; even the national economy may be significantly affected under some scenarios. Major obstacles will continue to challenge U.S. efforts to reduce natural disasters in the decades ahead.

A "community as resource" strategy for disaster response.

Abstract: Natural and technological disasters present significant threats to the public's health. The emergency response capabilities of government and private relief organizations are limited. With a strategy in which residents of urban areas are trained in search and rescue, first aid, fire suppression, care and shelter, emergency communications, and disaster mental health, the community becomes a "resource" rather than a "victim." Language: en

Global Change, Natural Disasters and Loss-sharing: Issues of Efficiency and Equity

Abstract: Global change in the form of climate warming, demographic developments, land use and capital movements to vulnerable regions will likely contribute to the already increasing human and economic losses from natural disasters. As countries in both the developing and developed world contemplate increasing losses from natural disasters, and as the victims relate these losses to human culpability, questions of burden-sharing for preventing and absorbing human and financial losses are becoming increasingly topical. This paper provides an overview of two forms of state and market burden-sharing at the local and global levels: collective loss-sharing after a major disaster by the state or the international community and the pre-disaster transfer of risk through insurance and other hedging instruments. With the recent attention given to the role of the private sector for apportioning and preventing disaster losses, we examine the efficiency and equity arguments for both collective loss-sharing and private risk transfer. We give special attention to the potential for governments of poor countries to transfer their natural disaster risks to the insurance and reinsurance markets, and to the international capital markets with newly developing hedging instruments, such as catastrophe bonds. We suggest that, under certain conditions, subsidized risk transfer can be an efficient and equitable way for industrialized countries to assume partial responsibility for the increasing disaster losses in poor countries, in addition to their role in aiding the economies of these countries.

Building disaster-resistant communities: lessons learned from past earthquakes in Turkey and suggestions for the future

Abstract: This paper presents findings from a pilot study aiming to strengthen community participation in disaster mitigation and preparedness in a province, Bursa (Turkey), which is located in the first-degree seismic zone. The study was initiated in 1998, right after the Ceyhan-Misis earthquake and a year prior to the devastating 17 August Marmara, Turkey, earthquake. Therefore, the findings will be discussed within the framework of what happened before and after the devastating earthquake in order to analyze possible effects of a major disaster on the momentum and processes of community participation efforts. The initial phase of the pilot study focused on the collection of data through in-depth and focus group interviews aiming to uncover local views on disasters, mitigation, preparedness, and multisectoral collaboration and participation. The results of the initial phase showed an eagerness for local multisectoral participation and favourable attitudes towards community participation. Eartquakes were delineated as the most threatening type of natural disasters in this initial phase. Thus, the study focused solely on earthquakes as a first area to start community involvement and to analyze mechanisms for such involvement. In the second phase of the study, an attempt was made to bring together the local state authorities, municipalities, the private sector, and the nongovernmental organizations, in order to develop an action plan for mitigation and preparedness through the involvement of the local community. This collaboration took place under the initiative of the Local Agenda 21, a local municipal initiative under the U.N. Rio Summit 1992. The most important issue identified by the local multisectoral committee was the need to increase community awareness for earthquakes and to train them on what to do before, during, and after earthquakes. Subsequently, a pamphlet and a training-of-trainers handbook was prepared, and a phase of training of trainees was undertaken. The program had very little momentum due to mainly the hesitancy of the actors from different sectors in forming alliances and due to the purely voluntary nature of the work. There were also problems related to the lack of funding for the project. As the study came to its second year, with a further loss of momentum due to local elections and change of the initial municipality, the August 1999 Marmara earthquake occurred. This very devastating earthquake produced a significant momentum for the community participation initiative in Bursa which was considerably slow to develop. The occurrence of a major disaster while a community participation project was underway provided us with valuable insights on what was hindering the project. It was basically the lack of fear/anxiety, lack of acceptance of risks, lack of local ownership, and the lack of an awareness of possible consequences of such a disaster. The Marmara earthquake of August 1999 demonstrated that there were significant shortcomings in earthquake mitigation and preparedness measures. Due to the extensive damage and the fact that the quake affected a very large area, the response of the government in the immediate postdisaster phase was slow and uncoordinated. However, the Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) were very rapid in their responses, and numerous NGOs were involved in the rescue phase and thereafter. Unfortunately, the NGOs were also not prepared for such a disaster, and thus their efforts were not coordinated. This recent earthquake once again pointed out the necessity of increasing community involvement in disaster management and creating collaborative alliances among local governmental bodies, municipality, the private sector, and the NGOs. Due to very extensive media coverage of the Marmara earthquake, the majority of people in Turkey watched the consequences from the TV and got sensitised to the damage and losses. Furthermore, the popular cultural view broadcasted through the interviews with survivors was that "you can not trust and rely on external aid. You have to rely on your own resources." The progress in the Bursa study will be discussed within the framework of the impacts of the Marmara earthquake. The strengths and the weaknesses of the present disaster management system in Turkey and the mechanisms uncovered in the Bursa study will be presented together with implications and suggestions for the future.

Two Floods in Fort Collins, Colorado: Learning from a Natural Disaster

Abstract: A flash flood in Fort Collins, Colorado, on 28 July 1997 resulted in 5 deaths, 62 injuries, and more than $250 million in property damage. Following the 1997 flood, a great many changes were made in the city's preparedness infrastructure. On 30 April 1999, a combination of heavy rain and melting snow caused a second, less serious flood event. This article reports on the changes implemented following the first flood and their effectiveness during the second.

India disasters report: towards a policy initiative.

Abstract: The India Disasters Report provides discussions of a plethora of disasters their spread and intensity their devastating impact and the nature of disaster response by the government of India. It identifies key issues with respect to the availability of and access to disaster-related information and its quality the absence of a coherent disaster preparedness and response policy and urgent actions and interventions needed. The report contains detailed chapters on disasters which are broadly classified as natural human-made and others. It shows that significant advances in health and social and economic development have been repeatedly interrupted and reversed by disasters. Natural disasters such as floods affect over 11% of the area. While cyclones hit the east-coast states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh frequently earthquakes are common in the Himalayan region and the Deccan plateau. In addition human-instigated disasters encompass environmental issues and include those caused by communal and caste violence. This report also includes disaster profiles of Sri Lanka Bangladesh and Nepal. Lastly it provides a detailed list of national and international agencies that help with disaster management.

Disaster management and social development

Abstract: Considers the nature of disaster and its impact on large urban areas. Looks at the ways countries can provide relief in such events. Covers drought, floods, cyclones and earthquakes and preventive measures which can help alleviate damage. Discusses the definition of a disaster, the distinct phases of onset, climax and withdrawal and the social response in these events. Profiles the response of the Indian Government in preparing for disasters providing brief best practices for planners.

Science and Technology for Natural Disaster Reduction

Abstract: During the 1990s, the UN sponsored the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) with the objective of reducing losses caused by natural hazards. Strategies for achieving that end include locating structures and people out of harm's way, building structures to withstand stresses imposed by hazards, and warning of impending hazardous conditions, all of which must be based on sound scientific knowledge and technical methods. Implementation of these strategies, however, has been difficult because the public does not appreciate the threat posed by hazards or understand the loss-prevention approaches. Nevertheless, the need for prevention and mitigation measures has gained in recognition, and many activities will continue or begin beyond the Decade. The IDNDR Scientific and Technical Committee identified 5 challenges to guide future programs: 1) integrate natural disaster management with overall planning; 2) anticipate megadisasters due to population concentrations; 3) reduce environmental and resource vulnerability; 4) improve disaster prevention capabilities of developing countries; and 5) assure effective coordination and implementation.

Estimating chronic risk from natural disasters in developing countries: A case study on Honduras

Abstract: Each year, more than 700 major natural catastrophe events shatter lives, destroy assets, and disrupt communities across broad geographic regions, particularly in developing countries. What impact do these natural disasters have on the development of poor countries? It is well known that natural catastrophes cause sharp increases in poverty; what is uncertain is the extent of their long-term impact on the economic viability of developing nations. The impact of natural disasters depends on two factors: the magnitude of the direct losses due to the event and the economic resilience of the country at the time the event strikes. A number of studies have examined the impact of catastrophes on a specific countries after an event occurred. A post-event analysis cannot capture the impact of chronic exposure to catastrophic events in that area. Absent adaptive behavior, each catastrophe renders the country more vulnerable to the next.

World bank's role in reducing impacts of disasters

Abstract: The mission of the World Bank is to fight poverty. An important part of this mission is to assist developing countries to prepare for and recover from natural disasters. The World Bank has a long tradition of supporting the disaster management efforts of its client countries. Between 1980 and 1998, the Bank approved approximately 200 operations related to natural disasters, amounting to more than $14 billion in loans. These figures include both postdisaster reconstruction operations as well as projects with com- ponents to mitigate losses before disaster strikes. In recent years, the Bank has placed more emphasis on integrating disaster prevention and mitigation measures into its development activities. After a discussion of the costs of disasters and how they relate to the Bank's mission, this article discusses the Bank's expe- rience in providing disaster-related assistance, provides information on current Bank initiatives aimed at making disaster reduction a central component of development, and discusses the future direction of the Bank's disaster risk-management agenda.

Mythologising a natural disaster in post‐industrial Australia: The incorporation of cyclone Tracy within Australian national identity

Abstract: (2000). Mythologising a natural disaster in post‐industrial Australia: The incorporation of cyclone Tracy within Australian national identity. Journal of Australian Studies: Vol. 24, Vision Splendid, pp. 197-204.

Governmental Systems for Disaster Management

Abstract: While the focus here will be on the development of governmental systems for disaster management, it is appropriate to provide some initial remarks about the rather confusing concepts of “disaster.” It has many different meanings in popular discourse. A number of years ago, (Dynes, 1974), I noted at least four different meanings: (a) the designation of a disaster agent, such as a flood or an earthquake; (b) the indicator of physical damage, such as a hundred houses destroyed; (c) an indicator of social damage, the uprooting of family living or the destruction of family relationships and (d) an indicator of a negative evaluation, such as a failed culinary effort or a troublesome friend. Unfortunately, these different meanings have little consistent relationship among them. Even considerable physical damage does not automatically translate into social damage. This can be illustrated by the 1988 earthquake in Armenia. That earthquake, 6.9 on the Richter Scale, killed approximately 25,000, injured more than 3 1,000 and left 514,000 homeless. The next year, an earthquake of greater magnitude (7.1) occurred in the United States; the Lorna Prieta earthquake killed 62, injured 3,757 and left more than 12,000 homeless. Floods and earthquakes have social consequences only as a result of the actions of human beings and societies. In effect, all “natural disasters” are social.

Natural disaster preparedness, environmental degradation and sustainable development in Kenya

Abstract: Lack of disaster preparedness has remained one of Kenya’s enduring development challenges for decades. The El Nino rains which flooded most parts of the country between 1997 and 1998, and the prolonged drought during the year 2000 have both led to massive displacement of populations, loss of lives, destruction of property, water and energy crises, and the collapse of vital infrastructure. Most of the disaster response initiatives in Kenya have tended to be adhoc, uncoordinated and short-term measures, mainly in the form of emergency relief services to the worst affected areas. However, disaster and environmental management ought to integrate disaster preparedness measures and recovery operations into ongoing development programs for

Market Value of Mitigation and Perceived Risk: Empirical Results

Abstract: This paper explores the value of windstorm mitigation in a Gulf Coast city. Policymakers have long assumed that agents will not voluntarily mitigate for a natural disaster. Consequently, policy has focused on coercive measures. Data for the study contains detailed information on the inclusion of storm-blinds, a specific hurricane mitigation feature. Results indicate that homes with storm- blinds command a premium compared to homes without this feature, thereby questioning the assumption held by policymakers. This result, however, is limited to homes located on the island portion of the community indicating that agents differentiate the risk from one area to another.

Tsunami mitigation for the city of suva, fiji

Abstract: At about 12.30pm (local time) on 14 September 1953, the City of Suva was devastated by an ML 6.5 earthquake and associated tsunami of local origin. The earthquake source was about 25km SW of the City with the tsunami generation attributed to submarine landslides (turbidity currents). The City CSD, main industrial area and shore and harbour facilities were severely damaged. As part of the UNDHA South Pacific Programme Office "South Pacific Disaster Reduction Programme ", within the auspices of Pacific Region IDN and the 1994 Yokohama Statement, the "Suva Earthquake Risk Management Scenario Pilot Proj ct" (SERMP) was facilitated for the Government of the Republic of Fiji. SERMP considered mitigation measures fol. both earthquake and tsunami impacting upon the City of Suva, with the scenario event based on the real experience of the 1953 Suva earthquake and tsunami. A specific tsunami mitigation methodology was developed involving a multidisciplinary approach with multiagency cooperation to address, in both quantitative and qualitative terms, the premise RISK HAZARD VULNERABILITY. The hazard and vulnerability assessments are integrated to provide the risk assessment which is then considered in terms of Fiji's emergency management requirements. The outcomes include hazard, vulnerability and risk zonation maps with associated commentaries, estimates of relevant tsunami parameters and possible damage situations. Practical applications of these results, in terms of community vulnerability and reduction of potential losses, and including a simulated tsunami exercise, have been a major element in this project. It was concluded that a significant risk of local tsunami does exist for the City of Suva and its harbour environs This information resource has been implemented for Fiji's National Disaster Management Office in terms of disaster planning, response actions, training and community education. Currently, Fiji is developing its own regional tsunami warning system. Recent tsunami disasters, like that in Aitape, Papua New Guinea, in July 1998, serve to reinforce the vital need for mitigation measures in these vulnerable coastal communities of Pacific Island nations. Science of Tsunami Hazards, Vol 18, Na. 1 (2000) page 35 INTRODUCTION Earthquakes are the most devastating natural phenomena known to human civilisation. They strike without warning, impact all levels of society and take a toil in human life, personal injury, property damage and the socioeconomic fabric. Their consequences affect both the built and natural environments. Some major earthquakes cause associated tsunamis which can further affect coastal precincts and island communities. The Republic of Fiji and, in particular, its capital city of Suva are considered to be so vulnerable. Recent history attests to this, with the memory of the devastating 14 September 1953 Suva earthquake (Richter Magnitude ML 6.5) and its associated tsunami. With the world's modern and expanding societies, many recent earthquake and tsunamis are clear testament to the immediate need for earthquake mitigation. This need has been most aptly facilitated during this present decade, 1990 2000, by the United Nations International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction ( IDNDR). Herein, the issues of awareness, risk assessment, preparedness and warning for earthquake and tsunami are being addressed, the premise for mitigation measures. At the IDNDR Mid -Term Conference in Yokohama, Japan, in May 1994, one of the outcomes from the "Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action" has been the actions taken by the island nations of the world, with particular reference to the Pacific Island Countries (PIC) of the South Pacific. Many national and local agencies, both Government and nonGovernment, expressed the need to better understand the implications of potentially damaging earthquakes and tsunamis on their communities. The Republic of Fiji took up this challenge. At the 3rd Pacific Regional IDNDR Meeting held in Suva in September 1994, the premise of earthquake and tsunami mitigation for Fiji was seriously considered. The Government of the Republic of Fiji Ministry for Regional Development and MultiEthnic Affairs National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), in cooperation with the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs South Pacific Programme Office (UNDHA -SPPO) (now United Nations Development Programme South Pacific Office, UNDP -SPO), inaugurated this SUVA EARTHQUAKE RISK MANAGEMENT SCENARIO PILOT PROJECT ( SERMP) through the UNDHA's South Pacific Disaster Reduction Programme (SPDRP). At this meeting, international support was afforded by the International Association for Earthquake Engineering (IAEE) "World Seismic Safety Initiative" (WSSI), an approved IDNDR Demonstration Project. SERMP considered risk assessment and mitigation measures for both earthquake and tsunami. This paper relates to the issues for tsunami, taken from the SERMP Final Report (CERA, 1997) for the City of Suva (Figure 1). 1953 SUVA EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI At 12.28pm on 14 September 1953, the Republic of Fiji experienced its most devastating earthquake and associated tsunami of modern times. These events were located about 15 -20 km southwest of the City of Suva, off the coast near Navua. The most severe damage, resulting from both events, was concentrated in Southeast Viti Levu, particularly in the City of Suva and surrounding areas. The initial studies were undertaken by Houtz (1962) and Houtz and Wellman (1962). A Richter magnitude ML 6.75 was assigned to the earthquake. The effects of the earthquake were felt up to 250 km from the epicentre (representing the majority of the Republic of Fiji) with damage reported from several urban and rural centres in Viti Levu, albeit concentrated in southeastern Viti Levu. Tsunami waves were reported at distances up to 180 km from the epicentre, with the most severe effects in southeastern Viti Levu, particularly in Suva Harbour, along the adjacent foreshores of Suva Peninsula and Rewa River Delta, and on the coastal areas of Kadavu Island to the south. Science of Tsunami Hazards, Vol 18, No. I(2000) page 36 Figure 1 : Location Area for Suva Earthquake Risk Management Scenario Pilot Project (SERMP) The City of Suva, Fiji Wave heights were greater than 3m with travel times (time of arrival after the initial earthquake shock) of 5 15 minutes. Collateral damage from the tsunami waves occurred along the Suva City foreshores, along the coast from Suva to Navua, in Suva Harbour and on the reefs. Economic losses were assessed at (1953) F£250,000. A significant toll on the human population was also taken 8 deaths (three due to the earthquake and five drownings in the tsunami) and 61 reported injuries from the earthquake. These initial studies, together with the other later ones (Soloveiv and Go (1984); Everingham, 1984) unfortunately did not provide the information in a form suitable for vulnerability assessments, and hence they were not appropriate for disaster management authorities. As part of SERMP, Rynn and Prasad (1999) undertook a review of all available data to define the required earthquake C tsunami scenario, compile the risk assessments and provide "real experience" information for future mitigation strategies. Science of Tsunami Hazards, Vol 18. No. 1 (2000) page 37 The seismological parameters are earthquake : origin time : 0028 hours 14 September 1953 (UT) 12.28pm 14 September 1953 (local) epicentre : 18.2°S, 178.30E focal depth 10 km magnitude : (revised) Richter ML 6.5, Mw 6.5 tsunami : source : submarine canyons off coast of Southeast Viti Levu near Naqara mechanism submarine sediment slumping (turbidity current) wave height . > 3 m run -up . max 2 m magnitude I 1.5 2.0. The earthquake isoseismal map for the Fiji Islands and the tsunami inundation map for the City of Suva are shown in Figures 2 and 3, respectively. This information provided the basis on which the scenario earthquake and associated tsunami for SERMP was to be defined.

Understanding of Natural Disaster Database Design and Compilation of Digital Atlas of Natural Disasters in China

Abstract: Many disaster databases were built in Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Natural Disaster, The Ministry of Education of China, in the last decade. These disaster databases can be grouped into 3 categories: statistics-orientated, system-orientated and process-orientated. In order to distribute the data and scientific results of natural disaster research of the laboratory, an interactive multimedia atlas system, Digital Atlas of Natural Disasters in China, was developed from 1999 to 2000. The atlas system takes advantage of different media to help human cognition and communication. The basic disaster information, information about flood disasters, and information about earthquake disasters are included in the atlas system.