UN Agencies and Organizations

Division for Sustainable Development (DSD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA)

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Wide range of documents sorted by topic.

http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/index.html

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

FAO main site gives access to crop monitoring and food security information (see GIEWS).

http://www.fao.org/

Global Environment Facility (GEF)

Funds projects and programs that protect the global environment.

http://www.gefweb.org/

A first global one-stop shop for early warning information for all natural hazards and for socio-political developments that provides systematic, credible and real-time early warning. This web site is an IASC common tool, managed by WFP.

Inter-Agency Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR)

Main source for disaster risk reduction information.

http://www.unisdr.org

Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA)

UN coordination of space activities - space-based observations are important to monitoring and early warning.

http://www.oosa.unvienna.org

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Disaster response and relief coordination; includes early warning activities

http://ochaonline.un.org/

Relief Web

Comprehensive and up to date news on natural disasters.

http://www.reliefweb.int/

Small Island Developing States Network (SIDS)

The global network for small island developing States.

http://www.sidsnet.org/index.html

UN System-wide Earthwatch

United Nations System-wide Earthwatch mechanism is a broad UN initiative to coordinate, harmonize and catalyze environmental observation activities among UN agencies for integrated assessment purposes.

http://www.earthwatch.unep.net

United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD)

The Disaster Management Planning Hyogo Office site provides information mainly on earthquakes.

http://www.hyogo.uncrd.or.jp/index.htm

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

Early warning signs for desertification.

http://www.unccd.int/

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

UNESCO concerned with disaster prevention and education; also has divisions on earth sciences and water issues.

http://www.unesco.org/

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Base for exploring topics related with UNEP. For early warning matters see the Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA).

http://www.unep.org/
http://www.unep.org/dewa/index.asp

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

UNFCCC web site informs about climate change policy processes.

http://unfccc.int/

United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)

http://www.unhabitat.org

United Nations University/Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)

Started operations in 2004, has initial focus on flood risk.

http://www.ehs.unu.edu/

World Food Programme (WFP)

Is concerned with food security and food aid, has its own early warning and assessment capacity.

http://www.wfp.org/

World Health Organization (WHO)

Early warning of epidemics and disaster related information on nutrition and post disaster situation reports.

http://www.who.int/en/

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Main site of WMO with links to national weather services, and special programs, such as Severe Weather Information Center

http://www.wmo.int

World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)

Looking at the complete overview of global water issues.

http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/

Other international Organisations

DIPECHO

European Commission department concerned with disaster prevention including early warning.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/field/dipecho/index_en.htm

GDACS provides near real-time alerts about natural disasters around the world and tools to facilitate response coordination, including news, maps and V. OSOCC. It is managed by OCHA and provides near alerts immediately after the occurrence of sudden-onset disasters and automated impact calculations. GDACS links other web-based disaster information systems to provide consolidated disaster information in a one-stop shop. These systems include: ReliefWeb, Virtual OSOCC, UNOSAT (customised satellite images on demand), ASGARD (European Commission's tool for automated impact calculation and alert dissemination), and HEWS

International Red Cross-Disaster Reduction

Information on their work, including disaster preparedness and early warning.

http://www.ifrc.org/what/disasters/

ProVention Consortium

Information on DRM, links and partners

http://www.proventionconsortium.org/index.htm

World Bank, Disaster Management Facility (DMF)

DMF provides technical support to World Bank operations to promoted disaster prevention and mitigation as integral parts of programs.

 http://www.worldbank.org

World Bank, Hazard Risk Management (HRM)

Information on HRM, links, and partners.

http://www.worldbank.org/hazards/index.htm

Regional and National Organisations

African Development Bank

http://www.afdb.org/

Agency for Monitoring and Forecasting of Emergency Situations in Moscow, Russia Ministry of Emergency Situation

Information on forecasting of mainly seismic events, minor on fire and flooding.

http://www.ampe.ru/english/index.shtml

Asian Development Bank

ADB supports several early warning-projects

http://www.adb.org/default.asp

Asian Development Preparedness Center (ADPC)

ADPC supports various early warning programs, especially related to use of El Nino information.

http://www.adpc.net/dms/AGDR2.html

Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)

CDB intends to be the leading Caribbean development finance institution.

http://www.caribank.org

CENAPRED

Mexico’s national center for national disasters.

http://www.cenapred.unam.mx/

Centro de Coordinación para Prevención de los Desastres naturales en América Central (CEPREDNAC)

CEPREDENAC is a Central American coordination centre for the strengthening of disaster prevention related capacities in the region.

http://disaster-info.net/cepredenac/
04_temas/04_index.htm

Department for International Development (DFID)

DFID is the UK government department. focusing on sustainable development and poverty reduction.

http://www.dfid.orggov.uk/

Deutsches Komitee für Katastrophenvorsorge e.V. (DKKV)

National platform for disaster risk management in Germany. One focus of their work is on early warning.

www.dkkv.org

European Avalanche Service

Information platform for avalanches in the Alps as well as extensive link list for international avalanches warning services.

http://www.slf.ch/laworg/map.html

German Federal Foreign Ministry Section: Humanitarian Aid

One of the most important tasks of the Federal Foreign Office is bringing help to people who are in desperate need due to natural disaster, armed conflict or civil unrest.

http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/www/en/
aussenpolitik/ humanitaere_hilfe/index_html

Inter American Development Bank (IADB)

Projects and publication on early warning.

http://www.iadb.org/

PLANAT national platform for natural hazards

Natural hazard center of Switzerland, information on natural phenomena and climate change.

http://www.planat.ch/index.php?userhash=
7755142&l=e&navID=154

The Andean Development Corporation (CAF)

CAF is a multilateral financial institution that promotes the sustainable development of its shareholder countries and regional integration.

http://www.caf.com/view/index.asp?
ms=11&pageMs=13330

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA)

Warnings on storms and volcanic activity. The program "Caribbean Hazard Mitigation Capacity Building Programme (CHAMP) is a special activity.

http://www.cdera.org/index.php

Research Centers

Benfield Hazard Research Centre

Focus on natural hazards, source for information and useful publications.

http://www.benfieldhrc.org/

Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology

Website informs about the current research projects, wide link list.

http://www.cedim.de/

Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM)

CEDIM informs on various ongoing projects concerning all type of natural hazards.

http://www.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/~gd202/
www.cedim/english/seite_13.php

Disaster Risk Center Newark

Research on early warning, presenting several projects on early warning.

http://www.udel.edu/DRC/

Experimental Climate Prediction Center (ECPC), USA

ECPC undertakes research to identify coupled land-atmosphere-ocean linkages, to develop  routine experimental forecasts and apply forecast information.

http://ecpc.ucsd.edu

Geo Forschungs Zentrum Potsdam (GFZ)

Section Natural Disaster working mainly on seismologic projects.

http://www.gfz-potsdam.de/pb2/pb21/index_e.html

International Institute for Disaster Risk Management

Early warning and disaster management is one focus of the IDRM.

http://www.idrmhome.org/index.html

International Research Institute for Climate Prediction

Research on climate prediction and its applications, with forecasts and information on El Nino.

http://iri.columbia.edu/

Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center
University of Colorado

Information source on natural disaster. Extensive link list.

http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/

USGS Earthquake Hazard Programme

Information on earthquakes in the US.

http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/index.html

World Institute for Disaster Risk Management

Several projects on DRM and prevention.

http://www.drmonline.net/

Meteorological Services

See World Meteorological Organization website for links to all National Met-Services at:
http://www.wmo.ch/web-en/member.html

African Center of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD), Niamey, Niger

ACMAD coordinates the activities of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services of 53 African countries.

http://www.acmad.ne

Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD)

Information on weather forecast in general and up-dated hazard maps and links to natural disaster warning provider (world wide).

http://www.dwd.de/en/en.htm

EUMETNET the Network of European National Meteorological Services

EUMETNET is a network grouping 19 European National Meteorological Services.

http://www.eumetnet.eu.org/

European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)

Medium-range weather forecasting for distribution to Member States; scientific and technical research; meteorological data.

http://www.ecmwf.int

Japan Meteorology Agency (JMA)

JMA issues warnings, advisories and forecasts, provides advice on issues such as global warming and ozone depletion, and provides information on earthquake and volcanic activity.

http://www.kishou.go.jp

Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC)

MSC monitors water quantities, provides information and conducts research on climate, atmospheric science, air quality, ice and other environmental issues.

http://www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca

Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Center

Weather service mainly focused on the Atlantic.

https://www.nlmoc.navy.mil/home1.html

World Weather Watch Programme (WWW)

WWW of WMO combines observing systems, telecommunication facilities, and data-processing and forecasting centers.

http://www.wmo.int/web/www/www.html

Storm

ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee

Provides regional coordination and direction on typhoon early warning and preparedness.

http://www.wmo.ch/web/www/TCP/ESCAP-Typhoon-Com.html

Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)

JTWC provide tropical cyclone warnings to local scale forecasts for the various political entities that exist in the geographical region known as Micronesia.

http://www.npmoc.navy.mil/jtwc.html

National Severe Storms Laboratory

Scientific research on severe storms.

http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/

NOAA Tropical Hurricane Center

Authoritative information centre on tropical weather and hurricane risks..

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Storm Center Communications, Maryland, USA

Provides monitoring and visuals on environmental issues to the media, government agencies and emergency managers.

http://www.stormcenter.com/terms.php

Tropical Cyclone Programme

TCP basis site of WMO's World Weather Watch Applications Department regarding typhoons, hurricanes and tropical cyclones.

http://www.wmo.ch/web/www/TCP/TCP-home.html

Tropical Storm Worldwide

Information about current tropical storm probabilities.

http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/

Flood

Dartmouth Flood Observatory

The Observatory provides current information on flooding. Uses satellite technology and archives the obtained cartographic information about flooded lands into a global atlas of flood hazard.

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~floods/index.html

Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), Nepal

Responsible for hydrological and meteorological activities in Nepal. Provides regular forecasts and warnings.

http://www.dhm.gov.np/index.shtml

Environment Agency

Flood Warning Programme.

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/?lang=_e

International Flood Network (IFNET)

Multi-partner effort provides information on flooding and will soon establish a global flood alert map.

http://www.internationalfloodnetwork.org/index_e.html

Mekong River Commission (MRC)

MRC coordinates basin water management and provides flood and weather forecasts.

http://www.mrcmekong.org/index.htm

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM).

Joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to monitor and study tropical rainfall.

http://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Drought

Drought Monitoring Centre, Harare (DMC-H)

The DMC-H monitors drought and other climatic conditions in the Southern Africa and provides early warnings and advice to governments and others.

http://www.dmc.co.zw/

Drought Monitoring Centre, Nairobi (DMC-N)

The DMC-N monitors drought and other climatic conditions in the Greater Horn of Africa and provides early warnings and advice to governments and others.

http://www.dmcn.org/

International Drought Information Center (IDIC), University of Nebraska, USA

IDIC strives to improve communication about prediction, monitoring, impact assessment, adjustment and adaptation, and planning and response to drought.

http://www.drought.unl.edu/

The Reference Centre for Applications of Meteorology and Climate for Sustainable Development of Africa

ACMAD provides short average term weather forecasting, climate outlook, seasonal forecast and its applications.

http://www.acmad.ne/

Fire

Global Fire Monitoring Center (GFMC), Freiburg, Germany

Global portal to extensive information on wild land fire - monitoring, current status, regional networks, fire models, management, training and research.

http://www.fire.uni-freiburg.de

GOFC/GOLD provides a forum for international information exchange, observation and data coordination, and a framework for establishing the necessary long-term monitoring systems. Their Fire Mapping and Monitoring Theme aims to refine and articulate the international observation requirements and making the best possible use of fire products from the existing and future satellite observing systems, for fire management, policy decision-making and global change research.

FireNet

Special interest network and on-line information service for those concerned with rural and landscape fires.

http://www.csu.edu.au/firenet/firenet.html

NOAA National Fire Weather Page

Information on fire risk areas in the US.

http://fire.boi.noaa.gov/

NOAA Storm Prediction Center -Fire Weather forecast

SPC informs on fire risk areas in the US. Extensive link list.

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/

Ukuvuka – Operation Firestop, South Africa

Work programme to cut fire losses through better warning and action, including public awareness campaign.

http://www.ukuvuka.org.za

Wildland Fire Assessment System

WFAS informs on fire risk in the US.

http://www.fs.fed.us/land/wfas/welcome.htm

Volcanic Eruption

University of North Dakota

List of current volcanic eruption with links to the several volcanic topics.

http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/
current_volcs/current.html

USGS Volcano and Hydrologic Monitoring

Mainly technical information on volcano monitoring. Has useful link list.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Monitoring/framework.html

Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Provides forecasts and worldwide warnings and advisories to aviation interests regarding volcanic ash hazards.

http://aawu.arh.noaa.gov/vaac.php

World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO)

WOVO is the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior Commission.

http://www.wovo.org

Tsunami

International Coordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific (ICG/ITSU)

News, links and background information on tsunami related issues.

http://ioc.unesco.org/itsu/

International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC)

Tsunami messages, background information, information on the organisation and extensive library.

http://www.prh.noaa.gov/itic/more_about/itsu/itsu.html

Japan Meteorological Agency

JMA monitors earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic activities and issues information on the monitoring results in order to prevent/mitigate disasters.

http://www.jma.go.jp/JMA_HP/jma/jma-eng/activities/seismo.html

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC)

PTWC provides warnings for tele tsunamis to most countries in the Pacific Basin as well as to Hawaii and all other US interests in the Pacific outside of Alaska and the US West Coast.

http://www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc/

UNESCO/IOC Indo tsunami

Aims to keep the audience informed about the progress in developing a Regional Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System for the Indian Ocean.

http://ioc.unesco.org/indotsunami/paris_march05.htm

West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center

Main site of the WCATWC, displaying recent messages and background information on tsunamis.

http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/

Locust

Dessert Locust Information Service

Useful links and information on locust.

http://www.fao.org/news/global/locusts/Locuhome.htm

International Society on Pest Information (ISPI)

The ISPI web site provides a database on locust and other biological disaster.

http://www.pestinfo.org/

Data

Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS)

Online database

http://www.fao.org/giews/english/indexonl.htm

Inventory of Early Warning Systems

Data base of Early Warning Systems. Searching for EWS by country and hazard type.

National Climate Data Center (NCDC)

NCDC maintain global climate databases.

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html

Natural Disaster Reference Database, Data base of NASA

Abstracts to natural hazards.

http://ndrd.gsfc.nasa.gov/

UNEP.NET

Good data source for several kinds of disasters.

http://www.unep.net/

Media

Accu Weather

Hourly weather forecast and warnings for USA and background information on severe weather events.

http://wwwa.accuweather.com

BBC Weather

BBC weather provides UK and world weather forecast.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/

CNN Weather forecast

Worldwide weather forecast

http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/

National Weather Service

Weather service for the USA by NOAA

http://weather.gov/

NOAA Weather Radio

NOAA weather radio for USA and Canada

http://www.intac.com/%7emherson/wx_list.html

Wunderground

Wunderground provides world wide weather information.

http://www.wunderground.com/