ActionAid International
An international development agency whose aim is to fight poverty worldwide. Formed in 1972, for over 30 years we have been growing and expanding to where we are today - helping over 13 million of the world's poorest and most disadvantaged people in 42 countries worldwide. http://www.actionaid.org

African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS), Potchefstroom University, South Africa
The ACDS was established in January 2002 at the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education within the School for Social and Government Studies. The explicit aim of the ACDS is to address the need for world-class training, education and research in disaster related activities within Southern Africa and the wider African context. http://acds.co.za 

Associación para la investigación del desarrollo sostenible de las Segovias(ADESO), Nicaragua
ADESO is a scientific non profit association. Together with the local actors it identifies
the problematic of the development of the region "Las Segovias". http://www.adeso.org.ni

African Center of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD), Niamey, Niger
ACMAD is the focal point in fostering regional cooperation among the 53 African states with the rest of the world in climate and environmental concerns with regard to sustainable social and economic development. ACMAD coordinates the activities of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services of these countries. http://www.acmad.ne/uk

African Development Bank (AFDB)
The African Development Bank's Group Vision adopted by its Boards of Governors in 1999 was the product of extensive consultations with all stakeholders. In order to operationalize this Vision, the Boards of Directors approved a new organizational structure that became effective 1st January 2002 and have recently approved the Bank's First Strategic Plan for the Period 2003-2007. http://www.afdb.org

African Union (AU)
The African Union is the successor to the Organization of African Unity, launched in Durban, South Africa in July, 2002. http://www.africa-union.org

Agence européenne pour le developpement et la santé (AEDES)
The European Agency for the Development and Health focuses on public health policies, food security and social programmes such as gender policy. http://www.aedes.be

Agency for Monitoring and Forecasting of Emergency Situations in Moscow, Russia Ministry of Emergency Situation
Agency of monitoring and forecast of Emergency Situations in Russian Federation was created on March 27, 1997. Creation purpose is association of scientific, technical and information possibilities of establishments and organizations, Russian executive authority organs, Russian Academy of Sciences and other organizations for development and perfecting of a state system of monitoring and forecasting of extreme situations, realization of the risk decrease strategy and reducing of natural disasters, failures and catastrophes consequences, coordination in this area. http://www.ampe.ru/english/index.shtml

Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan
AIST is an independent administrative institution administered by the ministry of economy, trade and industry. In April, 2001, the new AIST began operations. It comprises 15 research institutes previously under the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology in the Ministry of International Trade and the Weights and Measures Training Institute. AIST is Japan’s largest public research organization. http://www.aist.go.jp/index_en.html

Agricultural Research Council (ARC), South Africa
ARC's Vision is "To be an internationally recognized centre of excellence in agricultural science and innovation"; To promote the agricultural and related sectors through research, technology development and transfer in order to enhance the natural resource base and environment, sustain a competitive agricultural economy, provide new economic opportunities, ensure high quality and safe food, support an informed society
and encourage the national growth and development of South Africa". http://www.arc.agric.za

Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
AOSIS is a coalition of small and low-lying coastal countries that share similar development challenges and concerns about the environment, especially their vulnerability to the adverse effects of global climate change. It functions primarily as an ad hoc lobby and negotiating voice for small island developing states (SIDS) within the United Nations system. AOSIS has a membership of 43 states and territories, drawn from all oceans and regions of the world. Thirty-seven are members of the United Nations. Together, SIDS constitute some 5 per cent of the global population. Member states of AOSIS work together primarily through their New York diplomatic missions to the United Nations. http://www.sidsnet.org/aosis

American Jewish World Services (AJWS)
AJWS is an independent not-for-profit organization founded in 1985 to help alleviate poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the world regardless of race, religion or nationality. http://www.ajws.org

American National Geographic Society
On the evening of January 13, 1888, thirty-three men traveled on foot, horseback, and inhorsedrawn carriages through the streets of Washington to the Cosmos Club, then on Lafayette Square across from the White House. They discussed “the advisability of organizing a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge.” The entity they were about to create would become the largest nonprofit scientific and educational institution in the world. http://www.nationalgeographic.com

Atelier Parisien d'Urbanisme (APUR)
APUR was created by the Council of Paris in 1967. Its mission is to follow urban evolutions, participate at the elaboration of definitions of urban and land use planning policies and at the preparation of projects for Paris and the region of Ile de France.It observes and analyses demographic, economic and social data of the French Capital and other big cities in order to engage and elaborate action plans proposals, and prepare urban studies. http://www.apur.org

ASEAN Experts Group on Disaster Management (AEGDM)
ASEAN cooperation on natural and man-made disasters is coordinated by AEGDM which was established in 1976 and meets regularly to discuss and share experiences of the region’s disaster management and mitigation activities.
http://www.adpc.ait.ac.th/pdr-sea/newsletter/issue3/pdr-update.html

ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
ARF is a regional platform consisting of ASEAN countries and dialogue partners for confidence building and dialogue on regional security concerns. It was established in 1994. It draws together 23 countries which have an impact on or are involved in the security of the Asia Pacific region. It comprises the 10 ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam); the 10 ASEAN dialogue partners (Australia, Canada, China, EU, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the USA); the one ASEAN observer (Papua New Guinea); as well as the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and Mongolia. http://www.dfat.gov.au/arf/arfintro.html

Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila, Philippines
ADB is a multilateral development finance institution dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific. http://www.adb.org

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Bangkok, Thailand
ADPC is a regional resource center established in 1986 dedicated to disaster reduction for safer communities and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. It is recognized as an important focal point for promoting disaster awareness and developing capabilities to foster institutionalized disaster management and mitigation policies. http://www.adpc.net

Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), Kobe, Japan
ADRC was established in July 1998 to promote multilateral cooperation for disaster reduction and to network the various players in the region. It has held annual meetings to network the focal points in governments of its member countries. Its activities focus on information sharing, capacity building and cooperation. It has developed several successful capacity building programmes with its member countries. http://www.adrc.or.jp

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Bangkok, Thailand
AIT is an international graduate institution of higher learning with a mission to develop highly qualified and committed professionals who will play a leading role in the sustainable development of the region and its integration into the global economy. http://www.ait.ac.th

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Singapore
Its goal is to advance economic dynamism and sense of community within the Asia-Pacific region. APEC has established itself as the primary regional vehicle for promoting open trade and practical economic and technical cooperation. http://www.apecsec.org.sg

Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
The convention establishing the ACS was signed on 24 July 1994 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, with the aim of promoting consultation, cooperation and concerted action among all the countries of the Caribbean, comprising 25 member states and three associate members. Eight other non-independent Caribbean states are eligible for associate membership. Its current focus is on cooperation in trade, transport, sustainable tourism and natural disasters. http://www.acs-aec.org

Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Bangkok, Thailand
The ASEAN Declaration states that the aims and purposes of the association are to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of South-East Asian nations. It further aims to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter. http://www.aseansec.org

Auckland Local Authority Hazard Liaison Group, New Zealand
It was established by the Auckland Regional Council to enhance communication between local authorities in hazard management issues and to facilitate intra-council communication. The group was set up to recognize the link between hazard mitigation and land use planning, and the need to develop tools in areas to successfully manage risk, and to improve communication between those working in the area of sustainable development and environment management. http://www.ema.gov.au/5virtuallibrary/pdfs/vol16no4/pardy.pdf

Australian Emergency Management Institute (AEMI), Victoria, Australia
(See also: EMA)
AEMI was an arm of Emergency Management Australia (EMA), which is the federal agency responsible for reducing the impact of disasters on the Australian community. AEMI is a registered training organization, annually conducting a range of Commonwealth-funded activities designed to improve Australia’s capacity to cope with disasters. http://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/AEMI.htm

Geoscience Australia (GA)
Geoscience Australia is the national agency for geoscience research and information. It contributes to enhance economic, social and environmental benefits to the community – by providing input for decisions that impact upon resource use, management of the environment, and the safety and well-being of Australians. Its major planned outcomes are: enhanced global attractiveness of Australia’s offshore and onshore exploration, improved resource management and environmental protection, safer communities and transportation. http://www.ga.gov.au

Bangladesh Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF)
The Ministry of Environment and Forest takes care of the management aspect of biotechnology activities. The following institutions are under Ministry of Environment & Forest (MOEF) :1. Bangladesh Forest Research Institute 2. Department of Environment 3. Forest Department. http://www.rbp-iucn.lk/biosafety/
Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia
In 1959, the present lnstitut Teknologi Bandung was founded by the Indonesian government as an institution of higher learning of science, technology, and fine arts, with a mission of education, research, and service to the community. http://www.itb.ac.id

Building and Housing Research Centre (BHRC), Iran
BHRC is affiliated to the Ministry of Housing & Urban Development. It is a national center for research and assessment of products and systems in the building and housing fields in Iran. Its principal objectives are study, coordination, centralization, and performance of research projects on building and housing systems, materials and constructional technologies, and the effects of climatic and environmental conditions. http://www.bhrc.gov.ir

Bureau de recherches géologiques et minière (BRGM), France
Established in 1959, its activities on risks cover seismic risk, landslides, drought, volcanic risk. It also deals with pollution. http://www.brgm.fr

Benfield Greig Hazard Research Centre (BGHRC), London, UK
The BGHRC is an academic research centre based at London’s University College which comprises three groups: Geological Hazards, Meteorological and Space Hazards, and Disaster Management. The BGHRC provides a conduit for the transfer of cutting-edge natural hazard and risk research, practice, and innovation from the academic environment to the business world and government and international agencies. http://www.bghrc.com

Bureau de la protection des infrastructures essentielles et de la protection civile (BPIEPC)/Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness (OCIPEP), Canada
Its mission is to enhance the safety and security of Canadians in their physical and cyber environment. http://www.ocipep-bpiepc.gc.ca/index.html

Business and Industry Council for Emergency Planning and Preparedness (BICEPP)
In 1983, the Mayor of Los Angeles and a group of business leaders met to discuss disaster preparedness. This group subsequently became a steering committee and formed the Business and Industry Council for Emergency Planning and Preparedness (BICEPP). It was established as a private sector, self- help association funded by annual sponsorship donations. BICEPP later evolved into a non-profit corporation, lead by an Executive Committee and a Board of Directors. Its goal is to provide a forum for information exchange, to enhance emergency preparedness and contingency planning within the business community. http://www.bicepp.org

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
CIDA supports sustainable development activities in order to reduce poverty and to contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world. http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/index.htm

CARE International
CARE is an independent humanitarian organisation working to end world poverty. CARE International's mission is to serve individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world. Drawing strength from our global diversity, resources and experience, we promote innovative solutions and are advocates for global responsibility. http://www.careinternational.org.uk

Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
Its mission is “to provide dynamic leadership and service, in partnership with Community institutions and Groups, toward the attainment of a viable, internationally competitive and sustainable Community, with improved quality of life for all.” http://www.caricom.org

National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) (formerly the Natural Resources Conservation Authority, NRCA), Jamaica
NEPA is a new Executive Agency that became operational on April 1, 2001. It is an agency of the Ministry of Land and the Environment. NEPA represents a merger between the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA), the Town Planning Department (TPD) and the Land Development and Utilization Commission (LDUC). The Agency results from the work of the Government of Jamaica Public Sector Modernization Programme (PSMP). The aim of the merger is to integrate environmental, planning and sustainable development policies and programmes and to improve customer service. Its mission is to promote Sustainable Development by ensuring protection of the environment and orderly development in Jamaica through highly motivated staff performing at the highest standard. http://www.nrca.org

Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), St. Michael, Barbados
CDB intends to be the leading Caribbean development finance institution, working in an efficient, responsive and collaborative manner with its borrowing members, leading towards the systematic reduction of poverty in member countries, through social and economic development. http://www.caribank.org

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA), St. Michael, Barbados
CDERA is an intergovernmental, regional disaster management organization with 16 participating states, headquartered in Barbados. CDERA’s main function is to launch an immediate and coordinated response to any disastrous event affecting any participating state, once the state requests such assistance. http://www.cdra.org

CARITAS India
Caritas India is an official organization of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. (C.B.C.I.). It began work in 1962 with the headquarters in the C.B.C.I. Centre, New Delhi.The activities of the Caritas can be broadly divided into the following areas: Emergency Aid - Relief and Rehabilitation, Animation and Development, Campaign against Hunger and Disease. http://www.cbcisite.com/caritas.html

Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
CRS was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and disadvantaged outside the country. CRS provides direct aid to the poor, and involves people in their own development, helping them to realize their potential. http://www.catholicrelief.org

Center for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT), Ahmedabad, India
The Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) is sponsored by the Ahmedabad Education Society (AES). The CEPT is a voluntary non-profit organisation established in 1935, devoted to the cause of education at all levels in several branches of learning. It is now a registered society and a public trust. CEPT offers full time undergraduate programmes of five year duration in Architecture, Construction Technology and Interior Design supported by State Government and post graduate programmes of one and a half year duration in Urban and Regional Planning, Housing, Environmental Planning, Urban Design and Landscape Architecture funded by All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) and Construction and Project Management and Structural Design which are self financing. The ultimate aim of education is to make students aware of the multidimensional issues of contemporary society and to meet the challenges arising out of resolving these issues. It deals with accumulated knowledge helping students to translate these into actions, appropriate to their own time. In process, it is dynamic analysis of culture, values, knowledge and methodology.
http://www.alumni.net/aboutus.asp
http://www.gisdevelopment.net/education/inst/cept.htm

Centre for Disaster Management (CENDIM), Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
CENDIM was established in January 2001 as an interdisciplinary research center for disaster management. The center is in strategic partnership with many national and international organizations to develop disaster, engineering and risk management plans and to facilitate information sharing with governmental, non-governmental and community based organizations. CENDIM also aims to deploy the synergy of multi-disciplinary collaboration by national and international organizations. http://www.cendim.boun.edu.tr

Center for Security Studies, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
The Center for Security Studies specializes in the field of national and international security studies. Activities include research, teaching, and information services. The center has developed and maintains two electronic information services - the International Relations and Security Network (ISN) and the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA). http://www.fsk.ethz.ch/about

Center for Research and Transfer of Appropriate Technology (CITTA), University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Center has taken a leading role in the development of architectural and urban planning techniques for the reduction of disaster risk. Recent work in conjunction with the World Bank has focused on the reduction of consequences of urban flooding in Argentina.

Central American and Panamanian Institute for Nutrition (INCAP)
INCAP is specialized in food security and nutrition. http://www.incap.org.gt

Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), Honduras
CABEI, as a development bank and the financial arm of integration, has as its mission to promote progress and integration in the Isthmus, to foment economic growth with equity and to respect the environment, by means of supporting public and private projects and programs that create productive employment and contribute to improve productivity and competitiveness, as well as to increase the human development indices of the region. Headquartered in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, CABEI was founded on December 13, 1960, by the Republics of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica to promote regional integration and development. The bank’s membership has since grown to include the extra-regional members of Mexico, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Argentina and, most recently, Colombia. http://www.bcie.org

Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), India
The Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, India, has been vested with the responsibility of generating, cultivating and promoting building science and technology in the service of the country. Since it's inception in 1947, the Institute has been assisting the building construction and building material industries in finding timely, appropriate and economical solutions to the problems of materials, rural and urban housing, energy conservation, efficiency, fire hazards, structural and foundation problems and disaster mitigation. http://www.cbri.org

Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control (CCFSC), Viet Nam
The CCFS Control is responsible for emergency responses to disastrous events in Viet Nam.

Central Cyclone Committee, Mauritius
The Government convenes a planning session of relevant ministries, departments and services, which comprises the Central Cyclone Committee. Local cyclone committees also meet annually.

Centre d'Etude des Risques Géologiques (CERG-UNIGE), University of Geneva
The goal of the CERG is to form experts who can advise the public and private sectors to take preventive measures which can reduce the impact of natural disasters. It is usually taught at the University of Geneva in Switzerland, with field studies in Switzerland and in neighbouring countries such as France and Italy. http://www.unige.ch/hazards

Centre International de Formation des Acteurs locaux (CIFAL), France (International Training Centre for Local Actors)
The objectives of the center are: to contribute to crisis management by UN agencies; to focus on the role of local community for emergency humanitarian response and aids for reconstruction and to establish partnership with UN agencies and other international actors. http://www.unitar.org/cifal

Center for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), United Kingdom
The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology’s site at Wallingford is home to the hydrology research centre for the United Kingdom (the former Institute of Hydrology), as well as the British Geological Survey’s hydrogeology research group, the publishing office of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS Press) and a section of the Natural Environmental Research Council’s (NERC) central IT Solutions and Services Group.
http://www.ceh.ac.uk
http://www.nercwallingford.ac.uk

Center for Integration of Natural Disaster Information (CINDI), United States Geological Survey
CINDI is a research and operational facility that explores methods for collecting, integrating, and communicating information about the risks posed by natural hazards and the effects of natural disasters.
http://mac.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/factsheets/fs00301.html

Center of Scientific Investigation and Higher Education (CICESE), Ensenada, Mexico
CICESE is dedicated to conducting scientific research in basic and applied science, as well as developing new technologies and highly skilled human resources in three major disciplines: Earth Sciences, Oceanography and Applied Physics. http://www.cicese.mx/cicese/ingles.html

Center on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), Dhaka, Bangladesh
CIRDAP is a regional, intergovernmental and autonomous institution established in July 1979 by the countries of Asia and the Pacific region. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, which had the support of several other UN bodies and donor countries and agencies such as Japan, and the Swedish International Development Agency took the initiative for its creation. The member countries of CIRDAP are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. http://www.cirdap.org.sg

Centre for Disaster Studies, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
The Centre is a multi disciplinary research unit presently housed in the School of Tropical Environment Studies and Geography of James Cook University. The Centre has acted as the university's face to the public and the professionals in the Emergency Management and Meteorology fields, city councils and other researchers since its establishment in 1979. This has coincided with a trend in that direction at State, National and International levels, although research expenditure remains dominated by mainstream science. While this will probably continue to be the case on account of the much heavier equipment costs associated with meteorological, climatological, geological and geomorphological research, all of these scientists are increasingly expected to relate their findings to human and community impacts. http://www.tesag.jcu.edu.au/cds/cdsweb.htm

Centre for Hazard and Risk - Risk Frontiers (formely the Natural Hazards Research Centre-NHRC, Macquairie University, Sydney, Australia
Its mission is to create strategic risk management and training solutions for insurance companies and their clients through world leading research into natural perils and their consequences. http://www.es.mq.edu.au/NHRC

Centro International de Investigación sobre el Fenómeno El Niño (CIIFEN)
CIIFEN has been established as a centre drawing together information on ENSO and its impacts, collaborating with regional and national partners in climate data processing, applications and prediction. http://www.ciifen-int.org/

Centre européen de prévention des risques (CEPR), France
The CEPR is a center on applied sciences in the field of prevention. Its work is founded on the expertise of insurers, researchers, and manufacturers of products and services. http://www.cepr.tm.fr

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), UK
The CEH is the leading body in the UK for research, survey, and monitoring in terrestrial and freshwater environments. http://www.ceh.ac.uk

Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering (CESE), Indian Institute of Technology(IIT), Bombay, India
CESE has a dedicated group of ten faculty members with multi-disciplinary background
and interests together with faculty co-opted from allied disciplines to lead the activities of the centre. The Centre offers M.Tech. and Ph.D. programmes, which are interdisciplinary in nature and consists of course work followed by a research project. The centre is offering wide professional expertise and is actively pursuing several sponsored research, consultancy and technical services and has established strong links with leading industries, institutions and national/international agencies. CESE has been very active in man-power development by organizing tailor-made workshops and training programmes. During 1999-2000 the centre offered two training programmes on hazardous waste and biomedical waste management for representatives from various industries and central and state pollution control boards. The centre plans to consolidate the on-going programmes in the emerging fields of Environmental biotechnology, clean technology, environmental impact assessment, novel technologies for industrial/hazardous waste management besides addressing issues of global concern like ozone depletion. http://www.cese.iitb.ac.in

Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
Although the main focus of the Centre is on safeguards, public health and the sanitary aspects of disasters, CRED also studies the socio-economic and long-term effects of these large-scale disasters. Increasingly, preparedness, principally at the level of human resource development as well as problems linked to the management of crises, have gained a higher profile within CRED’s activities. It maintains the OFDA/CRED international disaster database EM-DAT. http://www.cred.be

Centre of Competence on Natural Disaster Reduction (CENAT)
The competence centre for natural hazards was founded by the ETH-Council in 1995.The main aim of this competence centre is to effect interdisciplinary research on the causes of natural hazards, the processes involved, their effects on people and objects, and on appropriate means of protection. The competence centre serves to identify the existing potential of specialists and know-how within the ETH group in the field of natural hazards, and constitutes a contact point for public and private institutions as well as national and international organisations. http://www.cenat.ch/cenat.html

Centre of Studies in Resources Engineering (CSRE), at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay
CSRE is one of the Centres at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. Since its inception in 1976, the Centre has been actively involved in developing remote sensing technology and its application to natural resources management and Environmental monitoring. The Centre has also done pioneering work in the area of Low Cost Geographical Information System (GIS) development in the country. http://www.csre.iitb.ac.in

Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia & Pacific (CIRDAP)
CIRDAP is a regional, intergovernmental and autonomous institution established in July 1979 by the countries of Asia and the Pacific region. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, which had the support of several other UN bodies and donor countries and agencies such as Japan, and the Swedish International Development Agency took the initiative for its creation.The member countries of CIRDAP are Afghanistan, Bangladesh (host-state), India, Indonesia, Lao PDR,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan , Philippines, Sri Lanka , Thailand, and Vietnam. http://www.cirdap.org.sg

Centre Régional AGRHYMET, Niamey, Niger
Created in 1974, AGRHYMET is a specialized hydrometeorological institute of the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel. http://www.agrhymet.ne/AGRHYMET

Centro de Coordinacion para la Prevención de Desastres Naturales en América Central (CEPREDENAC), Republic of Panama (Coordinating Centre for the Prevention of Natural Disasters in Central America)
CEPREDENAC was established in 1988 as a coordination center for strengthening the capacity of the region as a whole to reduce the vulnerability of the population to the effects of natural disasters. In May 1995, CEPREDENAC became an official organization set up to foster the Central American Integration System (SICA) with the Governments of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama as members. http://www.cepredenac.org

Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (CENAPRED), Mexico (National Center for Disaster Prevention)
The National Centre for Disaster Prevention was created by an Agreement of Cooperation between the governments of Mexico and Japan for the use and transfer of technology for the prevention of disasters.
http://www.cenapred.unam.mx

Centro Regional de Informacion de Desastres (CRID), San José, Costa Rica (Regional Disaster Information Centre)
CRID is an initiative sponsored by six organizations that decided to join efforts to ensure the compilation and dissemination of disaster-related information in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its mission is to promote the development of a prevention culture in the Latin American and Caribbean countries, through the compilation and dissemination of disaster-related information, and the promotion of co-operative efforts to improve risk management in the region. http://www.crid.or.cr

Center for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) Atlanta, USA
CDC is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people – at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities. http://www.cdc.gov

Center for Hazards and Risk Research, Lamont-Dohert and Earth Obsevatory of Columbia University, New York, USA
The mission of the Center is to advance the predictive science of natural and environmental hazards and the integration of science with hazard risk assessment and risk management. http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/res/pi/CHRR

China Association for Science and Technology
The China Association of Science and Technology served three major purposes. First, it brought individual scientists and administrators together with their professional peers from other work units at conferences, lectures, and joint projects, and it promoted communication across administrative boundaries. Second, it had a major role in the popularization of science and dissemination of scientific knowledge to the general public. Third, it played a major role in China's international scientific exchanges and hosted delegations of foreign scientists, sponsored international scientific conferences in China, participated in many joint research projects with foreign associations and scientific bodies, and represented China in many international science societies. http://www.1upinfo.com/country-guide-study/china/china269.html

Civil protection Command, Romania
" The civil protection is a part of the national defence and contains the ensemble of measures, and activities aimed to protect the population, assets, cultural values and environment factors, in case of armed conflict or disaster". (Art.1-The Civil Protection Law no. 106 on 25/09/96) http://www.icdo.org/National%20structures/Romania.pdf

Coastal Services Centre (CSC), NOAA, USA
The NOAA Coastal Services Center is an office within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration devoted to serving the nation's state and local coastal resource management programs. http://www.csc.noaa.gov

Comité permanent inter-états de lutte contre la sécheresse dans le Sahel (CILSS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel)
Its mission is to be involved in the research of food security and to combat the effects of drought and desertification for better ecological stability. http://www.cilss.org

Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo (CCAD), El Salvador (Central American Commission for Environment and Development)
It is called to protect and, at the same time, give value to the regional patrimony, which is characterized by its biological diversity and ecosystems. Accordingly, it is also called to be a bridge of collaboration between the countries of the region seeking the adoption of the themes of sustainable development by soliciting the collaboration of all the parties that work in the field of development. It is the regional institution in Central America responsible for the coordination of Corridor activities and other regional environment and development initiatives in Central America.
http://ccad.sgsica.org

Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias (CNE), Costa Rica (National Risk Prevention and Emergency Response Commission)
The National Commission for Risk Prevention and Emergency Management is the entity responsible for the coordination of prevention work on risk and for the mitigation and response to emergency situations (Article 19 of the Legislature). The development of the National Law for Emergencies, on 14 August, 1969, was the foundation for the National Commission. http://www.cne.go.cr

Comisión Permanente de Contingencias (COPECO), Honduras (The Permanent Commission for Contingencies)
Presently, the Executive Council is organizing the lobbying of a new law which will make the management of contingencies more efficient and which will support the creation of a National System for the prevention, mitigation and management of disasters and emergencies.

Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW)
The CGMW’s aims are to promote, coordinate and publish synthetic Earth sciences maps, at small scale, of continental and/or oceanic areas of the World. It is a non-profit scientific and pedagogic body governed by French law. http://ccgm.free.fr

World Geological Maps Search System: http://www.aist.go.jp/RIODB/gmapi/welcome.html

Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS)
CEOS is an international organization charged with coordinating international civil spaceborne missions designated to observe and study planet Earth. Comprising 41 space agencies and other national and international organizations, CEOS is recognized as the major international forum for the coordination of Earth observation satellite programs and for interaction of these programs with users of satellite data worldwide. http://www.ceos.org

Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), United Nations
The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was set up by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959 to review the scope of international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space, to devise programmes in this field to be undertaken under United Nations auspices, to encourage continued research and the dissemination of information on outer space matters, and to study legal problems arising from the exploration of outer space. http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/COPUOS/copuos.html

Community Action Group for Floodwater, Old Community of Rodenkirchen, Germany
The community action group for floodwater in the old community of Rodenkirchen is a non-profit association founded in a district of Cologne. This group advocates the interests of more than 4,000 residents in matters of local flood protection. In 2001, the group sailed the boat up the Rhine staging events and conducting discussions in 18 towns and cities together with other community action groups and representatives of local authorities. The overall promotional efforts of the campaign for greater awareness about flood issues is not limitted to Germany alone, as the group's trip also go through parts of France, Switzerland and the Netherlands. http://www.worldwatercouncil.org

Concern Worldwide, British Red Cross
Its mission is to enable poor people to achieve major improvements in their lifestyles which are sustainable without ongoing support from Concern. To this end it will work with the poor themselves and with local and international partners who share its vision to create just and peaceful societies where the poor can exercise their fundamental rights. http://www.concern.ie/news/dec_africa.htm

Consejo Regional de Cooperación Agricola (CORECA) para America Central, Mexico y la Republica Dominicana (Regional Council for Agricultural Cooperation in Central America, Mexico and the Dominican Republic)
The development of Regional Council for Agricultural Cooperation (CORECA) began in 1980 when a meeting of the International and Regional Committee on Agronomic Security, under the guidance of Panama and the Dominican Republic, put forward the idea of establishing a political forum at the Ministerial level for the agricultural sector. The Council’s principal objective was to serve as a permanent forum for consultation and cooperation between the various political parties of the regions’ agricultural sectors. Particularly, it would focus on raising the quality of life for farmers, improving the environment, initiating technological development and offering wide-ranging cooperation. The Member States of CORECA include : Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. http://www.sagarpa.gob.mx/Dgai/coreca.htm

Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering (CUREE), USA
CUREE is a non-profit organization, established in 1988, devoted to the advancement of earthquake engineering research, education and implementation. http://www.curee.org

Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
The CGIAR was created in 1971. Its mission is to contribute, through its research, to promoting sustainable agriculture for food security in developing countries. Membership of the Group has increased from eighteen to fifty-eight, the number of CGIAR centers has grown to sixteen, and their research interests have been diversified. http://www.cgiar.org

Coordinating Committee for Coastal and Offshore Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP), Bangkok, Thailand
CCOP is an Intergovernmental Organization focused on regional geo-scientific aspects. It consists of 11 member countries i.e., Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and is supported by 14 cooperating countries and several international organizations. http://www.ccop.or.th

Coordinating Council for Disaster Management (CCGC), Mozambique
CCGC is the government body responsible for policy decisions relating to disasters. The prime minister chairs the CCGC and his deputy is the minister of foreign affairs.

Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE)
CARE, an NGO, consists of 11 member organizations, working as a global force dedicated to achieving lasting victory over poverty. http://www.care.org

Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF), Caracas, Venezuela (Andean Development Corporation)
CAF is made up of Latin American and Caribbean shareholders (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago and 22 private banks in the Andean region). It has the mission of backing the sustainable development of its shareholder countries and of integration by raising funds to provide a range of financial services. http://www.comunidadandina.org/ingles/who/caf.htm

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa
Constituted as a Science Council by an Act of Parliament, the CSIR operates as a market-oriented contract and consortium research partner to its clients and stakeholders. CSIR focuses on building Africa’s capacity in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) project management. CSIR Water, Environment and Forestry Technology has been involved in the development and presentation of EIA capacity building courses for the past 10 years. http://www.csir.co.za

Council of Europe – EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has set up the Open Partial Agreement in 1987. This intergovernmental Agreement is a platform for cooperation in the field of major natural and technological disasters between Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean area and Western Europe concerning knowledge about prevention, risk management, post-crisis analysis and rehabilitation. http://www.coe.int/T/E/Cultural_Co-operation/Disasters

County Fire Authority (CFA), Australia
The devastation of the 1944 fires emphasised the urgency of better coordination of country fire services. CFA has evolved to become one of the world’s largest volunteer based emergency services. The ties between CFA and state government, local government, industry and brigades are essential to the successful operation of CFA. As a community service organisation, CFA brigades are strongly supported by their local communities and CFA infrastructure in responding to meet Victoria’s fire safety and emergency management needs. http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Darmouth flood Observatory
The Observatory provides current information (updated daily) on flooding. It uses satellite technology to help detect such events as they occur. It also archives the obtained cartographic information about flooded lands into the first global atlas of flood hazard. This on-line and rapidly growing atlas records for posterity 15 years of flood history, world-wide. http://www.dartmouth.edu/~floods/index.html

David and Lucile Packard Foundation, USA
The Foundation was created in 1964 by David Packard, co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard Company, and Lucile Salter Packard. Together, universities, national institutions, community groups, youth agencies, family planning centers, and hospitals constitute a tradition that complements government efforts to focus on society's needs. http://www.packard.org

Department for Earthquake Engineering at the University of Roorkee, State of Uttar Pradesh, India
Established in 1960 as School of Research and Training in Earthquake Engineering, the department has been actively engaged in teaching, basic and applied research, and providing consultancy services in the seismic design of almost all major engineering projects in the country, with an aim of mitigating disasters caused by earthquakes. The department has been consulted by a large number of governmental and nongovernmental organizations with regard to earthquake resistant design of such structures. This has also helped the industry in obtaining certification of the seismic withstand capability of equipment and other systems to be installed in seismic areas. A large portion of the software used for analysis and design has been developed in-house. In addition, the department has also undertaken programmes of seismic instrumentation in the country with a view to have better understanding of the ground motion characteristics and seismicity of various regions. The department has rendered technical services to UNESCO on Influence of Natural Disasters on Educational Facilities for the West and South East Asian countries and has prepared a manual on protective measures needed to save educational facilities from the disastrous effects of earthquakes. http://www.rurkiu.ernet.in/acads/depts/earthquake/about/about.shtml

Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), Nepal
DHM is an organization under the ministry of science and technology. The department with headquarters in Kathmandu has four basin offices: Karnali Basin Office in Surkhet, Narayani Basin Office in Pokhara, Bagmati Basin Office in Kathmandu, and Kosi Basin Office in Dharan. DHM has a mandate from to monitor all the hydrological and meteorological activities in Nepal. The scope of work includes the monitoring of river hydrology, climate, agrometeorology, sediment, air quality, water quality, limnology, snow hydrology, glaciology, and wind and solar energy. General and aviation weather forecasts are the regular services provided by DHM. As a member of the WMO, DHM contributes to the global exchange of meteorological data on a regular basis. DHM actively participates in the programs of relevant international organizations, such as, UNESCO’s International Hydrological Program (IHP) and WMO’s Operational Hydrology Program (OHP). http://www.dhm.gov.np

Department of International Development (DFID), UK
DFID is a UK government department working to promote sustainable development and eliminate world poverty.
http://www.dfid.gov.uk

Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTRS), Australia
The Department provides policy advice to the Ministers for the Transport and Regional Services portfolio and delivers a variety of programs on behalf of the Commonwealth Government. It also conduct research, analysis and safety investigations; provide safety information and advice based upon these investigations; and perform regulatory functions. It has a strong policy development role, together with program administration and service delivery responsibilities. It involves key stakeholders, clients and customers in all stages of our work. http://www.dotrs.gov.au

Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), South Africa
DWAF is the custodian of South Africa's water and forestry resources. It is primarily responsible for the formulation and implementation of policy governing these two sectors. It also has override responsibility for water services provided by local government. While striving to ensure that all South Africans gain access to clean water and safe sanitation, the water sector also promotes effective and efficient water resources management to ensure sustainable economic and social development.The forestry programme promotes the sustainable management of the country's natural forest resources and commercial forestry for the lasting benefit of the nation. http://www.dwaf.gov.za/default.asp

Deutsches Forschungsnetz Naturkatastrophen (DFNK), Germany (German Research Network for Natural Disasters)
DFNK is an initiative of German research programmes and institutions. The Network’s goal is to collect, organize and disseminate information from research, knowledge and methodology on the topic of natural disasters taken from technical, environmental and social research sources working in this field. http://dfnk.gfz-potsdam.de

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), Germany (German Agency for Technical Cooperation)
GTZ is a government-owned corporation for international cooperation with worldwide operations. In more than 120 partner countries, GTZ is supporting many development projects and programmes, chiefly under commissions from the German Federal Government. GTZ’s aim is to improve the living conditions and perspectives of people in developing and transition countries. http://www.gtz.de

Deutsches Komite für Katastrophenvorsorge e.V. (DKKV) (German Committee for Disaster Reduction)
The tasks of the DKKV for disaster reduction are numerous and to a degree very particular: from technical projects researching the effects of disasters on society to political programmes encouraging the growth of disaster reduction initiatives. http://www.dkkv.org

Disaster Research Center, Ohio State University, USA
The Center, was established at Ohio State University in 1963 and moved to the University of Delaware in 1985. The Center conducts field and survey research on group, organizational and community preparation for, response to, and recovery from natural and technological disasters and other community-wide crises. DRC researchers have carried out systematic studies on a broad range of disaster types, including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous chemical incidents, and plane crashes. http://www.udel.edu/DRC

Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), Zambia
In 1998, the government of Zambia established the DMMU as part of the vice president’s office to coordinate disaster related activities. The DMMU is supported by a technical committee, which includes the ministry of agriculture’s office of early warning, the ministry of agriculture, food and fisheries, the central statistical office, and key line ministries such as health, finance and economic development.

Disaster Management Bureau (DMB), Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MDMR), Bangladesh
MDMR is the principal government body, overseeing the disaster management activities in the country. Disaster Management Bureau and Directorate of Relief and Rehabilitation work directly under the Ministry. Bangladesh has established various disaster management committees at different levels from National Disaster Management Council (NDMC), headed by the Honorable Prime Minister, to the field level committee such as District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC), headed by Deputy Commissioner (DC). Under the supervision of MDMR, there are a number of disaster response units.
source : ADPC http://www.bdmb.org

Disaster Management Center (DMC), University of Wisconsin, USA
The center’s goal is to help improve the emergency management performance of non-governmental organizations, local and national governments, and international organizations, through a comprehensive professional development program in disaster management. Distance learning is the principal approach for this international program. http://dmc.engr.wisc.edu/about/edlinks.html

Disaster Management Facility (DMF), World Bank, Washington D.C., USA
DMF aims to reduce human suffering and economic losses caused by natural and technological disasters. Making sure that disaster prevention and mitigation are integral parts of development requires action, the DMF takes action by providing technical support to World Bank operations, promoting capacity-building, and establishing partnerships with the international and scientific community working on disaster issues. http://www.worldbank.org/dmf/mission.htm

Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa (DMISA), South Africa
DMISA is an organization where everyone involved in disaster management can relate to others with similar interests, and creates opportunities for the improvement of disaster management in Southern Africa. http://www.cmc.gov.za/pht/DMISA.htm

Disaster Management Technical Council (CTGC), Mozambique
The CTGC provides technical back-up to the National Disaster Management Institute (INGC), an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

Disaster Management Unit, (DMU), Standing Office of the Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control (CCFSC), Vietnam
The Vietnam Disaster Management Unit (DMU) is the mechanism chosen by the Government of Vietnam and UNDP to join together over 1000 years of Vietnamese flood protection culture with twenty-first century western technology to better protect the entire population of Vietnam against the annual natural disasters that ravage the country. http://www.undp.org.vn/dmu/index.html

Disaster Mitigation Facility (DMF) for the Caribbean, CBD, USAID/OFDA
On February 20, 2002, the Caribbean Development Bank launched its Disaster Mitigation Facility for the Caribbean (DMFC) at the Sherbourne Conference Centre in Barbados.
The Facility was established based on a limited scope grant agreement between CDB and USAID, and has two objectives: to assist CDB’s borrowing member countries (BMCs) with the adoption and institutionalization of successful disaster mitigation plans and policies; and to strengthen CDB’s institutional capacity to effectively implement its revised disaster management strategy, focusing on mitigation, and to integrate the revised strategy into all CDB’s policies, projects and programmes. http://www.caribank.org/downloads/dmfcpage.pdf

Disaster Mitigation Institute (DMI), India
DMI, India is a community based action research, action planning and action advocacy non-governmental organisation. It works towards bridging the gap between policy, practice, and research related to disaster mitigation, in an effort to link the community to the (inter)national level humanitarian scenario. http://www.southasiadisasters.net

Disaster Recovery Business Alliance (DRBA)
DRBA is an organization, a process and a product that is designed to provide an improvement in a community’s ability to deal with disaster recovery by the formation of an effective alliance between the private and public sectors of a community. It offers a tested model to assist local leaders in forming and facilitating a lifeline-based planning organization to serve a local community. It was established and funded by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and co-founded by the Department of Energy, and the Association of Contingency Planners (ACP). DRBA has formed partnerships with many public and private sector organizations such as the Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC), National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) and many others.
http://www.acp-international.com/drba

Disaster Research Center, University of Delaware, USA
DRC is a social science research center devoted to the study of disasters. It was established at Ohio State University in 1963 and moved to the University of Delaware in 1985. The center conducts field and survey research on group, organizational and community preparation for, response to, and recovery from natural and technological disasters and other community-wide crises. DRC researchers have carried out systematic studies on a broad range of disaster types, including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous chemical incidents, plane crashes. http://www.udel.edu/DRC/nodhtml.html

Discipleship Centre, Hind Swaraj Mandal
The Discipleship Centre is a Non-Governmental Organization involved in Gujarat Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation efforts.

Drought Monitoring Centre (DMC), Harare, Zimbabwe and Nairobi, Kenya
The Drought Monitoring Centres for Eastern and Southern Africa are charged with the responsibility of monitoring of drought and other climatic conditions in a timely manner with respect to intensity, geographical extent, duration and impact upon agricultural production and to give early warning for the formulation of appropriate strategies to combat any anticipated adverse effects. http://www.meteo.go.ke/dmc/contact.html

Earthquake Disaster Mitigation Research Center (EDM), Miki, Japan
The main purpose of the EDM is to produce “frontier research on earthquake disaster mitigation for urban regions.” The major research activities are performed by three research teams: the disaster process simulation team, the disaster information system team and the structural performance team. http://www.edm.bosai.go.jp

Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), Oakland, USA
The objective of EERI is to reduce earthquake risk by advancing the science and practice of earthquake engineering, by improving understanding of the impact of earthquakes on the physical, social, economic, political and cultural environment, and by advocating comprehensive and realistic measures for reducing the harmful effects of earthquakes. http://www.eeri.org

Earthquake Hazard Centre (EHC), Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand
The Earthquake Hazard Centre (EHC) is an information network and dissemination centre for earthquake-resistant construction in Developing Countries. The EHC seeks to share basic earthquake engineering knowledge, common place in many countries, with those working in construction-related fields in developing countries. The EHC aims to provide information which is relevant and appropriate to the limited resources available in the communities where this information is most needed. The EHC is a non-profit organisation supported by Robinson Seismic Ltd and the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management. It is based at the School of Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. http://www.ehc.arch.vuw.ac.nz

East West Center, Honolulu, Hawai
The East-West Center is an internationally recognized education and research organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to strengthen understanding and relations between the United States and the countries of the Asia Pacific region. The Center carries out its mission through programs of cooperative study, training and research. Professionals and students from the United States, Asia and the Pacific study and work together at the East-West Center to better understand issues of common and critical concern and explore mutually beneficial ways of addressing them. http://www.eastwestcenter.org/about-ov.asp

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
ECOWAS was created in 1975 by the Heads of State and Government of the 16 countries of the region with the goal to achieve economic union. There are several agro-ecological zones within ECOWAS ranging from the north to the south. These are the Sahelian zone,
Sudanese zone, Guinean zone and the forest areas. http://www.fao.org/tc/tca/pdf/fact_ECOWAS_en.pdf

EMERCOM Russia
Ministry of civil defense and emergencies. http://emercom.on.ufanet.ru

Emergency Management Australia (EMA)
EMA provides national leadership in the development of measures to reduce risk to communities and manage the consequences of disasters. It is the Federal Agency responsible for reducing the impact of natural and man-made disasters on the Australian community. http://www.ema.gov.au

Emergency Management Australia Institute (EMAI), Mount Macedon, Australia
Emergency Management Australia’s research and training centre at Mount Macedon was renamed the Emergency Management Australia Institute (EMAI) in January, 2002. The change was made to better reflect the institute as an integral part of EMA’s core business and to stress the holistic nature of the organization’s operations across its sites in Canberra and Mount Macedon Victoria. EMAI conducts a program of activities which includes the National Studies Program, education and training activities, resource development to support the curriculum and the provision of information through the Australian Emergency Management Information Centre. EMAI is the education and information arm of Emergency Management Australia (EMA). http://www.ema.gov.au/fs-education.html

Emergency Preparedness Canada (EPC)
See Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness (OCIPEP). http://www.ocipep-bpiepc.gc.ca/home/index_e.html

ENDA
ENDA is involved in environmental development in the third world. http://www.enda.sn

Environment and Society Institute (ESI), State University of New York, Buffalo, USA
It offers courses on engineering and applied sciences and hosts the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA), the Center for Urban Studies. The Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER) is an affiliated research center. http://www.buffalo.edu

European Commission/Commission Européenne
The European Commission embodies and upholds the general interest of the Union. The President and Members of the Commission are appointed by the Member States after they have been approved by the European Parliament.The Commission is the driving force in the Union's institutional system: It has the right to initiate draft legislation and therefore presents legislative proposals to Parliament and the Council. As the Union's executive body, it is responsible for implementing the European legislation (directives, regulations, decisions), budget and programmes adopted by Parliament and the Council.
It acts as guardian of the Treaties and, together with the Court of Justice, ensures that Community law is properly applied. It represents the Union on the international stage and negotiates international agreements, chiefly in the field of trade and cooperation. http://europa.eu.int/comm/index_en.htm

European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO)
The European Union’s mandate to ECHO is to provide emergency assistance and relief to the victims of natural disasters or armed conflict outside the European Union. The aid is intended to go directly to those in distress, irrespective of race, religion or political convictions. http://europa.eu.int/comm/echo/en/index_en.htm

European Environment Agency (EEA), Copenhagen, Denmark
The EEA aims to support sustainable development and to help achieve significant and measurable improvement in Europe’s environment through the provision of timely, targeted, relevant and reliable information to policy making agents and the public. http://www.eea.eu.int

European Directorate General Joint Research Centre (JRC)
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) Directorate-General is an integral part of the European Commission. It provides independent scientific and technical advice to the Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and EU Member States in support of European Union (EU) policies. Its main aim is to help to create a safer, cleaner, healthier and more competitive Europe. Its seven scientific institutes carry out research of direct concern to EU citizens. It provides technical know-how both directly and through coordinating and contributing to numerous broader networks linking industry, universities and national institutes. The JRC is playing an important role in helping establish the European Research Area (ERA). http://www.jrc.org

European Laboratory for Structural Assessment – Earthquake Engineering (ELSA), Ispra, Italy
The construction of bridges, viaducts, buildings or tunnels, which can withstand earthquakes, involves using particularly sophisticated simulation laboratories. The most prestigious of these is ELSA, which is a technological flagship for the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/success/en/env/0071e.html

European Research Area (ERA)
On 18, January 2000 the European Commission adopted the platform “Towards a European Research Area” which is meant to contribute to the creation of better overall framework conditions for research in Europe. ERA is regrouping all Community supports for the better coordination of research activities and the convergence of research and innovation policies, at national and EU levels. http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/era/index_en.html

European Space Agency (ESA)
The European Space Agency is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the people of Europe. ESA has 15 Member States. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, it can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/index.html

European Union (EU)
The European Union was set through the process of European integration was launched on 9 May 1950 when France officially proposed to create “the first concrete foundation of a European federation.” Six countries (Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) joined from the very beginning. Today, after four waves of accessions (1973: Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom; 1981: Greece; 1986: Spain and Portugal; 1995: Austria, Finland and Sweden). The EU has 15 Member States and is preparing for the accession of other eastern and southern European countries. Its main agencies are: European Parliament, Council of the Union, European Commission, Court of Justice, Court of Auditors, European Central Bank, European Economic and Social Committee, Committee of the Regions, European Investment Bank, European Ombudsman. http://www.europa.eu.int

European Centre for Disaster Medicine/ Centre européen pour la Médecine des catastrophes (CEMEC), San Marino It promotes the prevention and mitigation of the effects of natural and technological disasters. http://www.diesis.com/cemec

European University Centre for Cultural Heritage/Centre Universitaire Européen pour les Biens Culturels (CUEBC), Ravello, Italy.
CUEBC is an experimental laboratory that conducts scientific research and specialist matters. It is part of the European University for Cultural Heritage. http://www.cuebc.amalficoast.it

European Natural Disasters Training Centre/Centre Européen de Formation sur les Risques Naturels (AFEM), Ankara, Turkey.
AFEM's main goal is to reduce the destructive effects of hazards through research, training and education at all levels, from policy makers to field workers associated with disaster preparedness and response. http://www.europarisks.coe.int/afem50.htm

European Centre for Prevention and Forecasting of Earthquakes/Centre Européen pour la Prévention et la Prévision des Tremblements de Terre (ECPFE), Athens, Greece.
ECPFE is involved in all aspects of prevention as well as in the development of practical ways of managing earthquakes. http://www.europarisks.coe.int/ecpfe50.htm

European Centre on Geomorphological Hazards/Centre Européen sur les Risques Geomorphologiques (CERG), Strasbourg, France
CERG is concerned with studying the major hazards associated with earthquakes and landslides. http://www.europarisks.coe.int/cerg50.htm

Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre/Centre Sismologique Euro-Méditerranéen (CSEM), Bruyères-le-Châtel, France
The activity of CSEM members is devoted to the promotion of seismological research.
http://www.emsc-csem.org
http://www.csem.bruyeres.cea.fr

European Centre for Geodynamis and Seismology/Centre Européen de Géodynamique et de Sismologie (ECGS), Walferdange, Luxemburg
The Centre acts as a link between scientific research and its application to the prevention and interpretation of hazards. http://www.ecgs.lu

European Centre on Training and Information of Local and Regional Authorities and Population on the Field of Natural and Technological Disasters /Centre Européen de Formation des Autorités Locales et Régionales dans le domaine des Catastrophes Naturelles et Technologiques (ECMHT), Baku, Azerbaïjan.
It provides training and information of local and regional authorities in the field of major hazards. http://www.europarisks.coe.int/ecmht50.htm

Euro Mediterranean Centre on Evaluation and Prevention of Seismic Risk/Centre Européen sur l’Evaluation et la Prévention du Risque Sismique (CEPRIS), Rabat, Morocco.
It works to develop a unified strategy and common framework for coordinating regional seismo-tectonic zoning and assessment of seismic hazards and risks in the Mediterranean region. http://www.europarisks.coe.int/cepris50.htm

European Centre for School Training in Risk Prevention/Centre Européen sur la Formation Scolaire à la Prévention des Risques (CSLT), Sofia, Bulgaria
The Centre develops and promotes general and partial educational policies, training concepts and teaching methods in the field of risk prevention training in schools. http://www.bg400.bg/cslt

Euro-mediterranean Centre for Research on Arid Zones/Centre Euro-Mediterranééen sur les Zones Arides (CRSTRA), Algiers, Algeria
The centre conducts scientific and technical research programmes on arid zones and zones threatened with desertification and drought. http://www.europarisks.coe.int/crstra50.htm

European Centre of Technogenic Safety/Centre Européen de Sécurité Technologique (TESEC), Kiev, Ukraine
TESEC is a scientific research and educational organization. http://www.europarisks.coe.int/tesec50.htm

European Centre for Vulnerability of Industrial and Lifeline Systems/Centre Européen sur la Vulnérabilité des Réseaux et Systèmes Industriels (ECILS), Skopje (Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia)
It promotes programmes for theoretical and applied research of urban vulnerability. http://www.iziis.ukim.edu.mk

European Centre on Urban Risks/Centre Européen sur les Risques Urbains (CERU), Lisbon, Portugal
Its principal functions are to provide a framework for coordinating relief and natural and technological hazard management and for devising a common strategy to combat urban hazards. http://www.europarisks.coe.int/ceru50.htm

European Centre on Floods/Centre Européen sur les Inondations (AECF), Kishinev, Moldova
It concentrates on proposals to prevent the risk of flooding. http://www.europarisks.coe.int/aecf50.htm

Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Insular Coastal Dynamics/Centre Européen de la Dynamique Côtière Insulaire (IcoD), Valletta, Malta
ICoD’s main brief is to work in three main areas of education, applied research and information activities related to coastal dynamics. http://www.icod.org.mt/IcoD/ICoD main.htm

Scientific Centre of Monaco, European Oceanological Observatory/Centre scientifique de Monaco, Observatoire Océanologique Européen (OOE), Monaco
It conducts research with the objective of evaluating major ecological risks and restoring degraded habitats.
http://www.europarisks.coe.int/ooe50.htm

European Centre of New Technologies for the Management of Major Natural and Technological Hazards/Centre Européen des Nouvelles Technologies pour la Gestion des Risques Naturels et Technologiques Majeurs (ECNTRM), Moscow, Federation of Russia
One of its primary objectives is the use of space technologies for the forecasting, prevention and relief in major natural and technological disasters. http://www.europarisks.coe.int/ecntrm50.htm

Higher Institute of Emergency Planning/Institut Supérieur de Planification d’Urgence (ISPU), Archennes, Belgium
The Institute organizes specific courses concerning problems of emergency planning for officials in public office.
http://www.europarisks.coe.int/ispu50.htm

European Centre for Research into Techniques for Informing Populations in Emergency Situations/Centre Européen de Recherche sur les Techniques d’Information de la Population dans les Situations d’Urgences/Centro Europeo de Investigacion de técnicas de information a la poblacion en Situaciones de Emergencia (CEISE), Madrid, Spain
Its work concerns methods of informing the public in ermergency situations. http://www.proteccioncivil.org

European Inter-regional Centre for Training Rescue Workers /Centre Européen de Formation Inter-Régionale pour les Sauveteurs (ECTR), Yerevan, Armenia
It provides training of rescue workers and related instructors for humanitarian assistance. http://www.europarisks.coe.int/ectr50.htm

European Centre on Geodynamical Hazards of High Dams/Centre Européen sur les Risques Géodynamiques liés aux Grands Barrages (GHHD), Tbilissi, Georgia
The Centre is created to develop multinational, multidisciplinary approaches to the problems of geodynamic hazards, generated by high dams. http://www.europarisks.coe.int/ghhd50.htm

European Advisory Evaluation Committee for Earthquake Prediction (EAECEP)
While not a Centre but a Committee of the Council of Europe, this institution of 13 specialists was established in 1993 by the Committee of Ministers and works closely with the EUR-OPA Specialized Centres. It is responsible for giving advice on earthquake prediction made by scientists. http://www.europarisks.coe.int/eaecep.htm

European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
The Centre is an international organisation supported by 24 European States, based in Reading, west of London, in the United Kingdom. The principal objectives of the Centre are: the development of numerical methods for medium-range weather forecasting; the preparation, on a regular basis, of medium-range weather forecasts for distribution to the meteorological services of the Member States; scientific and technical research directed to the improvement of these forecasts; collection and storage of appropriate meteorological data. In addition, the Centre: makes available a proportion of its computing facilities to its Member States for their research; assists in implementing the programmes of the World Meteorological Organisation; provides advanced training to the scientific staff of the Member States in the field of numerical weather prediction; makes the data in its extensive archives available to outside bodies. http://www.ecmwf.int

Experimental Climate Prediction Center (ECPC), USA
ECPC is developing an integrated regional climate prediction capability by undertaking basic research to identify coupled land-atmosphere-ocean linkages. ECPC models are being used to make routine experimental forecasts, which are c