A global review of disaster reduction initiatives - Welcome to the ...

4Living with Risk: A global review of disaster reduction initiativesits interest revolves around remotely senseddata, GIS applications, mapping and displayinformation, GDIN also tries to assist disasterspecialists in obtaining information that mayotherwise be difficult for them to locate or toaccess through individual efforts. It particularlystrives to benefit disaster managers in areaswhere there are limited resources or limitedaccess to technology. Further elaboration aboutGDIN activities and intentions can beobtained at www.gdin.org.Using cyberspace to discussdisaster risk reductionAt a more individual level of informationexchange, there is an increasing number ofpublicly accessible and free multidisciplinary e-mail discussion groups, listserves and relatedelectronic networks that can be accessed.An NGO network, The Stakeholder Forumfor Our Common Future, and the ISDR Secretariatorganized an online discussion duringMay 2002, on the subject, "Links between naturalhazards, environment and sustainabledevelopment: Taking action to reduce the riskof disasters". An effort was made to broadenthe discussion of these related topics to a muchlarger group of interested people than thosewho may otherwise be involved with matters ofsustainable development. More than 350 participantsfrom 80 countries registered andmany engaged in an active exchange of views,experience and concerns. These were all postedon a dedicated website which can be viewed atwww.earthsummit2002.org/debate. Numeroustopics emerged, including: the impact of naturalhazards on development and how to reversevulnerability; risk assessment and early warningsystems; fostering community involvementand developing coping capabilities within communities;and the promotion of education andcapacity building. A wealth of experienceunfolded during the month, as case examplesillustrated a variety of specialist knowledge.There were also carefully considered commentsabout current limitations, and the imaginedroles and responsibilities that may lead topotential solutions. Some of these outlooks areincluded in this global review. Regardless ofthe individual views expressed, a readily per-ceived value of such exchanges is the ease ofbeing in touch with other people around theworld who share a professional interest andpersonal commitment to these issues. It is anexcellent form of networking, that is stimulatingtoo. It is easy, and does not require a largeinvestment - beyond ones' own time and wishto contribute.A similar discussion was and cyber conferencewas organized in Novermber 2001 with theDivision for the Advancement of Women(UN/DESA), on disaster reduction and naturalresource management with a geneder perspective,see: www.un.org/womenwatch/dawOne such initiative is the natural-hazards-disastersnetwork that is a managed informationservice and discussion group that covers socioeconomic,psychological, organizational, scientificand technical aspects of disaster triggeredby all kinds of natural and technological hazards.Its members are drawn from operationalagencies and academic institutions throughoutthe world and anyone with an interest in thesubject can join through the list's web site atwww.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/natural-hazards-disasters.Another similar and lively source of information,discussion and professional debateregarding the social dimensions of hazards,vulnerability and risk particularly following amajor disaster, is the Radical Interpretation ofDisaster Experience (RADIX) web site, locatedat www.apu.ac.uk/geography/radix, which wasinitiated by the scholar Ben Wisner . IRADIXseeks to provide a venue for discussion, workingpapers, opinion pieces, resources, or linksthat can help in understanding the root causesof disasters. This includes issues such ashuman rights, respect for diversity, translationof available knowledge into action, linksbetween disasters, economic development andpolitics, with particular relevance to local communityinterests and people-centred activitiesfor risk reduction. RADIX seeks to bringtogether groups related to disaster risk reductionthat have not always shared informationeasily with one another, including scientists,human rights activists, development workers,government officials, business executives, environmentalists,media representatives, etc.160