• Assessing disaster information can be time consuming and laborious. Not only is data scattered but frequently identification of the disaster can be confusing in countries with many disaster events. To address both of these issues, The Asian disaster Reduction centre (ADRC) proposed a unique global identification code for disasters, a Global Disaster Identifier Number. ADRC has also developed a unique geographical information system for disaster management called VENTEN with the objective of providing a common structure for referring to disasters and related data.
  Living with risk, p.205
• Achievements of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) include a series of training activities, developing a matrix of past cooperation in disaster relief among member countries, conducting an inventory of early warning systems and drafting guidelines for post-disaster responsibilities. Its annual meetings, by drawing participation from senior levels of ministries of foreign affairs, defence, disaster management, have provided a unique platform to consider multiple aspects of disaster management.
  Living with Risk, p.160
• In the Philippines, the Citizen's Disaster Response Network (CDRN) is a national network of 14 NGOs that promotes community-based disaster preparedness work. Since its inception in the early 1980s it has conducted advocacy work to help reduce the impacts of hazards.
  Living with risk p. 182

• The Japanese experience of monitoring volcanic activities associated with Mt Usu in Hokkaido is a telling example of how science and technology can save lives and assets when they are linked to effective early warning and evacuation procedures. Similarly, scientific monitoring showed an immediate threat posed by the possibility of Mt Pinatubo's crater lake breaching its walls and disastrously flooding villages on the flanks of the volcano. This early warning allowed Philippine officials to drain the lake safely in a controlled manner, with full public awareness and preparation s for evacuation had it been necessary. Living with risk p.6
• There has been an admirable progression of well-structured programmes for disaster risk management in the Pacific. Throughout, it has been guided by the political practice of regional consensus, with each stage championed by respected regional organizations. The consistency of approach and continuity that has been provided by national, regional and international partners alike has been a hallmark of successful regional collaboration. Future directions will be guided by the innovative Comprehensive Hazard and Risk Management (CHARM) project, an integrated risk management framework and practice to manage unacceptable risks in Pacific SIDS.
  Living with risk p. 163, 164
• The Asian Disaster Reduction Center in Kobe has developed a unique geographical information system for disaster management called VENTEN with the objective of providing a common structure for referring to disasters and related data.
  Living with Risk, p.205

• In India, Patanka, a village of about 250 families suffered extensive damage during the Gujarat earthquake. The village leader contacted the NGO called the Sustainable Environmental and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) and explained that the inhabitants would like to reconstruct their houses themselves and requested logistical support. Everyone participated to the partnership approach. Patanka is an international example of good practice in community-led rehabilitation. SEEDS and UNCRD recently published The Sustainable Community Rehabilitation Handbook, based on their experience in reconstruction following the Gujarat Earthquake.
  Living with Risk, p. 185
• One of the best-knows examples of a large-scale public works programme to improve household conditions at the time of crisis is the Maharashtra Employment Guarantee Scheme. Launched during the severe drought of 1970-1973 in India, the scheme expanded rapidly to assist some 500,000 workers monthly.
  Living with risk p. 352
• In keeping with the objective of the Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action for a Sager World, a Vulnerability Atlas of India was developed in 1997. It has proved to be an innovative tool for assessing district-wide vulnerability and risk levels of existing building stock. India has been successful in modifying land use by seeking to address community requirements so as to gain wider commitment in executing land-use changes.
  Living with risk p. 321

BANGLADESH

• CARE Bangladesh has developed a community-based approach to reduce vulnerability of flood-prone communities in the Tongi and Gaibandha municipalities of the country. This has been accomplished by working in collaboration with partner NGOs in the municipalities and with the Disaster Management Bureau of the government of Bangladesh. Since 1998, the government has designated the last working day of March as National Disaster Preparedness Day in order to promote community awareness about the value of disaster risk reduction.
  Living with Risk, p182,183
• Bangladesh officials launched an extended Flood Action Plan to study more than 25 different dimensions of flood prevention. Over three years and with an expenditure of several million dollars, an exhaustive multidisciplinary evaluation was conducted of the many different administrative, structural, social and economic aspects of both productive capacities as well as risks of flooding in the country. more.....Living with risk p.6

NEPAL

• The approach adopted for hazard mapping and risk assessment by the Katmandu Valley Earthquake Risk Management Project in Nepal is an excellent example of what can be achieved with simple and affordable but methodical techniques.
  Living with risk p. 70

VIET NAM

• A notable example of an integrated programme is the initiative of the Mekong River Commission (MRC). Following the extensive floods in Viet Nam and Cambodia in 2000, it developed a holistic strategy for flood management and mitigation that emphasizes land-use planning, structural measures, flood preparedness and emergency response.
  Living with risk p. 30
• The Viet Nam Red Cross Society conducted an environmental preservation project in Thai Binh province to address different aspects of risk relating to typhoon occurrence that threatens the people living on the coast. Two thousand hectares of mangrove plantation were created along the coastline serving to reduce wind and wave velocity and action, thereby protecting landscape, human life and local development assets.
  Living with risk p. 28

AFRICA

• In Mozambique , an important objective of public awareness campaigns has been to develop the media as a better source of public information about hazards. INCC has made media relations a priority in improving public awareness.
  Living with risk p. 289

SOUTH AFRICA

• The monitoring, Mapping and Analysis of Disaster Incidents in South Africa (MANDISA) conceived to improve access to information has created a more readily understood concept of hazards.
  Living with Risk, p.208. 209.

NORTH AMERICA

USA

• In the United States, through the efforts of the city of Seattle emergency management office a commitment was made to several disaster risk management projects designed to reduce the city's vulnerability to damage from future natural hazards. Seattle was designed as one of the first seven Project Impact pilot communities in the country and the department of emergency management received a grant of US$ 1 million. By polling the knowledge and talents of the many local partners, including those from government agencies, large and small business, educators, scientists, neighbourhood organizations, and dedicated volunteers, Seattle's experience has led to several successful programmes, which have continued even after the cessation of the original Project Impact grant funds.
  Living with Risk, p. 138
• Regarding integrated hazard information, in the United States, the NASA Earth Observatory is a particularly useful and award-winning source of information related to natural hazards, climate, water resources, the environment and natural resources, human habitats and land use.
  Living with Risk, p. 211

CANADA

• Emergency Preparedness Canada and its successor, the Canadian National Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness (OCIPEP) coordinated research with the Mexican National Centre for Disaster Prevention (CENAPRED) and the US Geological Survey produced the North American Map of Natural Hazards and Disasters. Beyond the public education values served by the map, the joint exercise in producing it was instrumental in initiating cross border dialogue and the sharing of knowledge between hazard experts and national, provincial and local organizations with interests in supporting hazard awareness and risk reduction in the three countries.
  Living with Risk, p.204
• The Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) of British Columbia, Canada, has developed a complete step-by-steps hazard, risk and vulnerability analysis tool kit. The purpose of the tool kit is to help the community make risk-based choices to address the potential impact of hazards. It is also a requirement mandated by the Local Authority Emergency Management Regulation of the British Columbia Emergency Program.
  Living with risk p. 69

• The Andean Development Corporation (ADC) established the Andean Regional Programme for Risk Prevention and Reduction (PREANDINO) in late 2000 to support the creation of a network that will foster the exchange of experience and contacts. The Southern Command of the United States Army has supported these efforts. The Andean Committee for Disaster Prevention and Response has been established within the Andean Integration Community in 2002. It was developed in accordance with the objectives of ISDR.
  Living with risk p.149
• The Coordinating Centre for the Prevention of Natural Disasters in Central America (CEPREDENAC) has been key in realizing change. Starting as an informal group of scientific and official response organizations in 1987, it has become the official Central American Integration System's (SICA) specialized organization for risk and disaster reduction strategies.
  Living with risk p. 146
• The Regional Disaster Information Center (CRID), in Costa Rica, is a highly-regarded regional institution, which gathers, processes and disseminates high-quality information, and serves as a focal point for training and knowledge engineering related to bibliographic information technologies.
  Living with Risk, p.202
• By providing the foundation for implementing any disaster risk reduction strategies, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), has developed a methodology that allows the systematic comparison of disaster data. This has proven to be crucial for building a regional database of major events that required external assistance. A specific example is provided by the response and reconstruction activities that followed Hurricane Mitch. They may be considered to be the first in which computer-mediated communications played a major role in decision-making.
  Living with Risk, p. 201
• The Masica area of northern Honduras became a regional and international example of good practice. After early warning schemes had been consolidated in different areas, local communities began to develop a broader interest in other primary risk reduction issues. This then led to some of the groups establishing new relationships with development agencies, as occurred in the Chepo area of Panama.
  Living with risk p.147
• The assessment of vulnerability has become a key policy area for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
  Living the risk p. 147
• There has been much progress in risk management in the public health services in Latin America and the Caribbean. All ministries of health in the region now employ at least one official who is in charge of disasters. In many countries there is an entire department or agency devoted to the subject.
  Living with risk p.247
• In both Honduras and Nicaragua, social funds played a key role in helping communities cope and rebuild after Hurricane Mitch, in October 1998. Special authority and procedures granted to the Social Investment Fund (SIF) regional offices enable SIF emergency response teams to act on location, enhancing their capacity for rapid, effective project placement. Within 100 days, 2,100 projects were executed, with a total value of US$ 40 million, and another 2,500 projects were identified or appraised with a total value of US$ 57 million.
  Living with risk p. 352

MALDIVES

• Community awareness of vulnerability is common in the Maldives. To prevent hazards such severe storms and waves from becoming future disasters, local communities and NGOs have worked together planting trees on the beaches and constructing see walls to prevent beach erosion. This has minimized the impact of waves on the islands.
  Living with Risk, p. 186

EUROPE

• The Risk Assessment Tools for Diagnosis of Urban Areas against Seismic Disasters (RADIUS) provides a good example of hazard-specific tools that contribute to defining urban risk scenarios. Launched in 1996, by the IDNDR the initiative achieved four main objectives: it developed earthquake damage scenarios and actions plans fro nine case study around the world, produced practical tools for estimation and management of urban seismic risk, raised public awareness of seismic risk and promoted information exchange for seismic risk mitigation at city level.
  Living with risk p.71
• During the 2002 summer floods in Europe the floodplains of Moravia absorbed the Danube flood wave and helped protect Bratislava from higher flooding levels. This effect could be multiplied across the whole Danube basin to prevent future losses of life, property, and threats to human health.
  Living with risk p. 28
• The most significant example of European cooperation relating to hazards and risk management is the EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement of the Council of Europe, which has the objective of enhancing multidisciplinary cooperation between member states to ensure better prevention, protection and relief in the event of major natural or technological disasters.
  Living with risk p. 166
• The Turkish Catastrophe Insurance Tool set up after the Marmara earthquake of 1999, supported by the government of Turkey, the World Bank and the private sector reinsurance company Milli Re is a very good example of public-private partnership in providing catastrophe risk transfer and financing facility.
  Living with risk p. 354
• A Database of Best Practices for Human Settlements and a combined electronic search facility is maintained by UN-HABITAT in collaboration with The Together Foundation. The database is an excellent multidisciplinary compendium of experience drawn from around the world. It displays a wealth of relevant experience about hazard awareness and disaster risk management practices.
  http://www.unchhs.org