Friday, September 09, 2005

STRENGTHENING LOCAL PREPAREDNESS

From the 16th to 18th of November, Denmark is hosting an international workshop focusing on strengthening preparedness to water related natural disasters in countries hit by the 2004 Tsunami.


Denmark will be hosting an international workshop focusing on local preparedness to water related natural disasters and strengthening the resilience of local communities in coastal areas. The workshop is organised and held in close collaboration with UN’s Secretariat for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). Participants will include experts from countries affected by the Tsunami and international experts.

The purpose of the workshop is to promote dialogue between governments and decision makers and actors at local community level.

At the workshop, participants will discuss and exchange views and experiences based on:

Coastal zones are particularly vulnerable because:
1. Half the world’s population live in coastal zones
2. Coastal zones are densely populated and often with levels of poverty
3. Many threats form hurricanes/typhoons, flooding, storms and tidal waves

Local population play a central role in disaster risk reduction, as:
1. Local communities are the first that need help, and also the first to give help during natural disasters
2. Local communities have a vital knowledge of local conditions
3. Local community initiatives are often more sustainable

Conclusions and recommendations from the workshop will be used as good practices in future actions promoting disaster risk reduction.

More information on the workshop can be found here

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