Open Glossary: International / English

Introduction

This OPEN GLOSSARY for Disaster Risk Reduction was inspired by the request of the Disaster Management Bureau of the Government of Bangladesh for the Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Center to write a Dictionary on Disaster Management. Participants in the Disaster Risk Reduction Education Network suggested a variety of sources as starting points. Risk RED engaged students Mohammed Naeem Parvez and Zahra Elhami, from one of Prof. Ali Asgary's York University undergraduate course in disaster management in a client-centered project to compile a starting place for this OPEN GLOSSARY. In the spirit of Katharina Thywissen's pioneering UNU Comparative Glossary, which systematically documented the various contemporary, complementary and contradictory uses of a few key terms in disaster risk reduction in 2006, this is now offered as a dynamic and evolving arena in which we pool our collective intelligence to continue this on an ongoing basis. None of these definitions is definitive. More definitive shared definitions of selected commonly used terms see the glossary section of Prevention Web: www.preventionweb.net/ UNISDR's glossary in English, with equivalent terms in French, and Spanish terms will be found there.

PURPOSE AND CONTENTS: The emphasis here is on published definitions, that have relevance in an international context, rather than terms which are specific to organizations a single country and rather than personal or collectively authored definitions. 

The contents here are classified into 1)Hazards & Disasters 2) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Terms. 3) Organizations in Disaster Risk Reduction and 4) Sources.

FORMATTING ENTRIES:

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Hazards and Disasters

Avalanches -- 1. Mass of snow and ice falling suddenly down a mountain slope and often taking with it earth, rocks and rubble of every description. (WMO 1992, 66)

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) -- 1. The amount of oxygen that would be consumed if all the organic materials in a one liter water sample were oxidized by bacteria and protozoa. (The MSDS Hyper Glossary, 2007)

Blizzard -- 1. Violent winter storm, lasting at least 3 hours, which combines below freezing temperatures and very strong wind laden with blowing snow that reduces visibility to less than 1 km. (WMO 1992, 86)

Climate -- 1. Statistical description in terms of the mean and variability of relevant quantities over a period of time ranging from months to thousands or millions of years (IPCC, 2001)

Climate change -- 1. Statistically significant variation in either the mean state of the climate or in its variability, persisting for an extended period (IPCC, 2001)

Cold wave -- 1. A rapid fall in temperature within 24 hours to temperatures requiring substantially increased protection to agriculture, industry, commerce, and social activities. Therefore, the criterion for a cold wave is twofold: the rate of temperature fall, and the minimum to which it falls. The latter depends upon region and time of year. (as used by U.S. National Weather Service)

2. Popularly, a period of very cold weather. (American Meteorological Society, 2000)

Debris -- 1. The scattered remains of something broken or destroyed; rubble or wreckage. (O'Leary, 2007)

Desertification -- 1. The transformation of the climate of a region toward enhanced aridity. Desertification can result from a decrease in precipitation, as well as land surface changes such as deforestation or overgrazing. (American Meteoroligical Society, 2007)

Drought -- 1. 1) Prolonged absence or marked deficiency of precipitation. (2) Period of abnormally dry weather sufficiently prolonged for the lack of precipitation to cause a serious hydrological imbalance. (WMO 1992, 198)

Dust storm -- 1. A strong wind storm that fills the air with thick dust. Visibility can be reduced to 1/2 mile or less. (WeatherEye, 2007)

Earthquake -- 1. The shaking, rolling or sudden shock of the earth’s surface. Earthquakes happen along fault lines in the earth’s crust. (WeatherEye, 2007)

El Nino -- 1. El Niño-southern oscillation (ENSO) 1. A complex interaction of the tropical Pacific Ocean and the global atmosphere that results in irregularly occurring episodes of changed ocean and weather patterns in many parts of the world, often with significant impacts, such as altered marine habitats, rainfall changes, floods, droughts, and changes in storm patterns.

The El Niño part of ENSO refers to the well-above-average ocean temperatures along the coasts of Ecuador, Peru and northern Chile and across the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, while the Southern Oscillation refers to the associated global patterns of changed atmospheric pressure and rainfall. La Niña is approximately the opposite condition to El Niño. Each El Niño or La Niña episode usually lasts for several seasons. (UNISDR 2004)

2. An anomalous warming of ocean water resulting from the oscillation of a current in the South Pacific, usually accompanied by heavy rain fall in the coastal region of Peru and Chile, and reduction of rainfall in equatorial Africa and Australia. (U.N. 1992, 26)

Flash flood -- 1. A flood that crests in a short period of time and is often characterized by high velocity flow-often the result of heavy rainfall in a localized area. (VATA, 2007)

Flood -- T1. he overflowing of the normal confines of a stream or other body of water, or the accumulation of water over areas that are not normally submerged. (American Meteorological Society, 2007)

Geological hazard -- 1. Natural earth processes or phenomena that may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.

Geological hazard includes internal earth processes or tectonic origin, such as earthquakes, geological fault activity, tsunamis, volcanic activity and emissions as well as external processes such as mass movements: landslides, rockslides, rock falls or avalanches, surfaces collapses, expansive soils and debris or mud flows.

Geological hazards can be single, sequential or combined in their origin and effects. (UNISDR, 2004)

Global Warming -- 1. The idea that temperatures will rise across the planet. (International Institute for Sustainable Development, 1999)

Greenhouse gas (GHG) -- 1. A gas, such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), that absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation, warming the earth's surface and contributing to climate change (UNEP, 1998). (UNISDR 2004)

Hail storm -- 1. Any storm that produces hailstones that fall to the ground; usually used when the amount or size of the hail is considered significant. (American Meteorological Society, 2007)

Heat wave -- 1. Marked warming of the air, or the invasion of very warm air, over a large area; it usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks. (WMO 1992, 294)

High Tide -- 1. The maximum water level reached in a tidal cycle. (American Meteorological Society, 2007)

Hurricane -- 1. A tropical cyclone with 1-min average surface (10 m) winds in excess of 32 m s-1 (64 knots) in the Western Hemisphere (North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern and central North Pacific east of the date line). (American Meteorological Society, 2007)

Hydrometeorological hazards -- 1. Natural processes or phenomena of atmospheric, hydrological or oceanographic nature, which may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.

Hydrometeorological hazards include: floods, debris and mud floods; tropical cyclones, storm surges, thunder/hailstorms, rain and wind storms, blizzards and other severe storms; drought, desertification, wildland fires, temperature extremes, sand or dust storms; permafrost and snow or ice avalanches. Hydrometeorological hazards can be single, sequential or combined in their origin and effects. (UNISDR, 2004)

2. An event, accidentally or deliberately caused, which requires a response from one or more of the statutory emergency response agencies. (Australian Fire Authorities Glossary 1996) 2. A minor situation. (Oxford Canadian Dictionary, 1998)

La Niña -- (see El Niño-Southern Oscillation). (UNISDR 2004)

1. The opposite of an El Niño event, during which waters in the west Pacific are warmer than normal, trade winds or Walker circulation is stronger and, consequently, rainfalls heavier in Southeast Asia. (Bryant 1991)

Land degradation --

Landslides -- 1. A mass of earth material (soil, rock, etc.) moving rapidly down a steep slope. (American Meteorological Society, 2007)

Liquefaction -- 1. Occurs mainly in young, shallow, loosely compacted, water saturated sand and gravel deposits when subjected to ground shaking; results in a temporary loss of bearing strength. (Journal of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 2007)

Low tide -- 1. The minimum height reached by a falling tide. The low tide is due to the periodic tidal forces and the effects of meteorological, hydrological, and/or oceanographic conditions.

Mudflow -- 1. A dense, highly viscous flowing mass of predominantly fine-grained earthy material, with water content approximately 20% by weight (or approximately 40% by volume). Their high density and viscosity allow mudflows to travel at speeds of more than 10 m s-1 in mountain canyons, and to carry very large boulders on low gradients. (American Meteorological Society, 2007)

Mudslides -- 1. Mass of water-logged earth, sliding by gravity along a slope at a relatively slow speed of a few kilometers per hour. Also know as Earthflow (Journal of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 2007)

Rain 1. Precipitation in the form of liquid water drops that have diameters greater than 0.5 mm, or, if widely scattered, the drops may be smaller. (American Meteorological Society, 2007)

Rock Fall -- 1. An abrupt free fall or down slope movement, such as rolling or sliding, of loosened blocks or boulders from an area of bedrock. The rock-fall runout zone is the area below a rock-fall source which is at risk from falling rocks. (Wasatch Front Regional Council, 2003)

Rock slide -- 1. A sudden downslope movement of rock. (Marshak, 2007)

Siltation -- 1. Deposition of earthy matter, fine sand, or the like by moving or running water (Stein 1966)

Snowstorms -- 1. A storm characterized by a fall of frozen precipitation in the form of snow. (American Meteorological Society, 2007)

Storm surge -- 1. The difference between the actual water level under influence of a meteorological disturbance (storm tide) and the level which would have been attained in the absence of the meteorological disturbance (i.e. astronomical tide). (WMO 1992, 584)

Tectonic Plates -- 1. A rigid section of Earth's crust that moves relative to other such sections on the Earth's surface. (Teachers Guide to Stratovolcanoes of the World, 2004)

Tornado -- 1. A violently rotating storm of small diameter; the most violent weather phenomenon. It is produced in a very severe thunderstorm and appears as a funnel cloud extending from the base of a Cumulonimbus to the ground. (WMO 1992, 626)

Tsunami -- 1. Waves generated by seismic activity. (American Meteorological Society, 2007)

Typhoon -- 1. Name given to a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 64 knots or more near the centre in the western North Pacific. (WMO 1992, 644)

Wild land Fire -- 1. Any nonstructural fire, other than prescribed fire, that occurs in the wildland. (Suburban Emergency Management Project, 2007)

Volcanoes -- 1. Vent or chimney to the earth’s surface from a resevoir of molten matter, known as magma, in the depths of the crust of the earth (Journal of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 2007)

2. The mountain formed by local accumulation of volcanic materials around an erupting vent. (Journal of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 2007)

Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Terms

Acceptable risk -- 1. The level of loss a society or community considers acceptable given existing social, economic, political, cultural, technical and environmental conditions.

In engineering terms, acceptable risk is also used to assess structural and non-structural measures undertaken to reduce possible damage at a level which does not harm people and property, according to codes or "accepted practice" based, among other issues, on a known probability of hazard. (UNISDR, 2004)

Adaptation -- 1. A change in the behaviors or structures of an organism or a social system that facilitates adjustment to changes in the environment; for example, a community’s adaptation to terrorist tactics. (O'Leary, 2007)

Adaptive Capacity -- 1. The general ability of institutions, systems, and individuals to adjust to potential damage, to take advantage of opportunities, or to cope with the consequences. (Green Facts, 2007)

Advocacy -- 1. The act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support. (Dictionary.com, 2007)

Assessment -- 1. Survey of a real or potential disaster to estimate the actual or expected damages and to make recommendations for preparedness, mitigation and relief action. (D&E Reference Center, 1998)

Awareness -- 1. In biological psychology, awareness comprises a human's or an animal's perception and cognitive reaction to a condition or event. Awareness does not necessarily imply understanding, just an ability to be conscious of, feel or perceive.(Wikipedia, 2007)

Biological hazard -- 1. Processes of organic origin or those conveyed by biological vectors, including exposure to pathogenic micro-organisms, toxins and bioactive substances, which may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.

Examples of biological hazards: outbreaks of epidemic diseases, plant or animal contagion, insect plagues and extensive infestations. (UNISDR 2004)

Bioterrorism -- 1. The use, or threatened use, of biological agents to promote or spread fear or intimidation upon an individual, a specific group, or the population as a whole for religious, political, ideological, financial, or personal purposes. (Department of Health Services, 2005)

Building Codes -- 1. Ordinances and regulations controlling the design, construction, materials, alteration and occupancy of any structure to insure human safety and welfare. Building codes include both technical and functional standards. (UNISDR 2004)

2. Building codes ensure that structure designs include resistance to various forms of external pressure. (Coppola, 2007)

Calamity -- 1. "A massive or extreme catastrophic disaster that extends over time and space." Notes the Black Death of the 14th century as an example. (Drabek 1996, Session 2, p.4)

Capacity -- 1. A combination of all the strengths and resources available within a community, society or organization that can reduce the level of risk, or the effects of a disaster.

Capacity may include physical, institutional, social or economic means as well as skilled personal or collective attributes such as leadership and management. Capacity may also be described as capability. (UNISDR 2004)

Capacity building -- 1. Efforts aimed to develop human skills or societal infrastructures within a community or organization needed to reduce the level of risk.

In extended understanding, capacity building also includes development of institutional, financial, political and other resources, such as technology at different levels and sectors of the society. (UNISDR 2004)

Catastrophe -- 1. An event in which a society incurs, or is threatened to incur, such losses to persons and/or property that the entire society is affected and extraordinary resources and skills are required, some of which must come from other nations (Drabek 1996)

2.". . .an event that causes $25 million or more in insured property losses and affects a significant number of property-casualty policyholders and insurers." (Insurance Services Office 2000, 2) 3.An event of such impact upon a community that new organizations must be created in order to deal with the situation. (Quarantelli 1987, 25)

Climate change -- 1. The climate of a place or region is changed if over an extended period (typically decades or longer) there is a statistically significant change in measurements of either the mean state or variability of the climate for that place or region.

Changes in climate may be due to natural processes or to persistent anthropogenic changes in atmosphere or in land use. Note that the definition of climate change used in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is more restricted, as it includes only those changes which are attributable directly or indirectly to human activity. (UNISDR 2004)

Community -- 1. A group with a commonality of association and generally defined by location, shared experience, or function. A social group that has a number of things in common, such as shared experience, locality, culture, heritage, language, ethnicity, pastimes, occupation, workplace, etc. (Emergency Management Australia (EMA), 1998)

Comprehensive emergency management -- 1. CEM refers to a state's responsibility and unique capability to manage all types of disasters by coordinating wide-ranging actions of numerous agencies. The 'comprehensive' aspect of CEM includes all four phases of disaster activity: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery for all risks -- attack, man-made, and natural -- in a federal-state-local operating partnership. (NGA 1978, 203)

Consequences -- 1. The outcome of an event or situation expressed qualitatively or quantitatively, being a loss, injury, disadvantage or gain. (Standards 1995)

Coping Capacity -- 1. The means by which people or organizations use available resources and abilities to face adverse consequences that could lead to a disaster.

In general, this involves managing resources, both in normal times as well as during crises or adverse conditions. The strengthening of coping capacities usually builds resilience to withstand the effects of natural and human-induced hazards. (UNISDR 2004)

2. Capacity refers to the manner in which people and organisations use existing resources to achieve various beneficial ends during unusual, abnormal, and adverse conditions of a disaster event or process. The strengthening of coping capacities usually builds resilience to withstand the effects of natural and other hazards. (European Spatial Planning Observation Network, 2003)

Counter measures -- 1. All measures taken to counter and reduce disaster risk. They most commonly refer to engineering (structural) measures but can also include non-structural measures and tools designed and employed to avoid or limit the adverse impact of natural hazards and related environmental and technological disasters. (UNISDR 2004)

Crisis -- 1. Short period of extreme danger, acute emergency. (D&E Reference Center 1998) 2. ". . .a situation that, left unaddressed, will jeopardize the organization's ability to do business." (Ziaukas 2001, 246; citing other sources)

Curriculum -- 1. Means the planned interaction of pupils with instructional content, materials, resources, and processes for evaluating the attainment of educational objectives. (Indiana Department of Education)

Damage Assessment -- 1. The process utilized to determine the magnitude of damage and the unmet needs of individuals, businesses, the public sector, and the community caused by a disaster or emergency event. (NOAA Coastal Services Center, 2007)

Danger -- 1. Exposure or vulnerability to harm or risk or source 2. An instance of risk or peril (O'Leary, 2007)

Disaster -- 1. Disaster A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society causing widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources.

A disaster is a function of the risk process. It results from the combination of hazards, conditions of vulnerability and insufficient capacity or measures to reduce the potential negative consequences of risk. (UNISDR 2004)

2. A disaster is an unusually severe and/or extensive event that usually occurs unexpectedly and has such a severe impact on life and health of many people and/or causes considerable material damage and/or impairs or endangers the life of a large number of people for a long period of time to such an extent that resources and funding available at local or regional level cannot cope without outside help. The disaster qualifies as such when it becomes apparent that the available resources and funding are inadequate for the necessary and prompt relief. Relief provision systems that are capable of evolving from every day use and which integrate all the necessary components are required for effectively managing disasters.” (DKKV 2002)

3. External danger, the loss of development potential and the helplessness of the affected population; a serious disruption of the functioning of a society causing widespread human, material or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected society to cope using only its own resources.(DKKV 2002)

4. A serious disruption of the functioning of society, causing widespread human, material or environmental losses, which exceed the ability of affected society to cope using only its own resources. Disasters are often classified according to their cause (natural or man-made). (European Environment Agency, 2005)

5. "For a disaster to be entered into the database of the UN's International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), at least one of the following criteria must be met: - a report of 10 or more people killed - a report of 100 people affected - a declaration of a state of emergency by the relevant government - a request by the national government for international assistance" (Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), 2006)

Disaster Cycle -- 1. An explicit typology for disaster planning, comprised of four phases: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. (O'Leary, 2007)

Disaster Drill -- 1. A simulation of a – disaster to assess and improve the – effectiveness of a health care organization’s or system’s emergency management plan. (O'Leary, 2007)

Disaster Management -- 1. The entire process of planning and intervention to reduce disasters as well as the response and recovery measures. It is a neglected element of development planning. (D&E Reference Center 1998)

2. "A process that assists communities to respond, both pre- and post-disaster, in such a way as to save lives, to preserve property; and to maintain the ecological, economic, and political stability of the impacted region." (Pearce 2000, Chapter 5, p. 6)

Disaster Preparedness -- 1. The aggregate of all measures and policies taken by humans before the event for reduction of the damage that otherwise would have resulted from the event and coping with the damage sustained. (O'Leary, 2007)

Disaster Prevention -- 1. Activities to provide outright avoidance of the adverse impact of hazards and related environmental, technological and biological disasters." (UNISDR 2002, 25)

Disaster Risk Management -- 1. Disaster risk management and reduction are about looking beyond hazards alone to considering prevailing conditions of vulnerability. It is the social, cultural, economic, and political setting in a country that makes people vulnerable to unfortunate events. The basis of this understanding is simple: the national character and chosen form of governance can be as much of a determinant in understanding the risks in a given country, as are the various social, economic and environmental determinants.

The systematic process of using administrative decisions, organization, operational skills and capacities to implement policies, strategies and coping capacities of the society and communities to lessen the impacts of natural hazards and related environmental and technological disasters. This comprises all forms of activities, including structural and non-structural measures to avoid (prevention) or to limit (mitigation and preparedness) adverse effects of hazards. (UNISDR 2002, 27)

Disaster risk reduction -- (disaster reduction) 1. The conceptual framework of elements considered with the possibilities to minimize vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout a society, to avoid (prevention) or to limit (mitigation and preparedness) the adverse impacts of hazards, within the broad context of sustainable development.

The disaster risk reduction framework is composed of the following fields of action, as described in ISDR's publication 2002 "Living with Risk: a global review of disaster reduction initiatives", page 23:

• Risk awareness and assessment including hazard analysis and vulnerability/capacity analysis;
  
• Knowledge development including education, training, research and information;
  
• Public commitment and institutional frameworks, including organisational, policy, legislation and community action;
  
• Application of measures including environmental management, land-use and urban planning, protection of critical facilities, application of science and technology, partnership and networking, and financial instruments;
  
• Early warning systems including forecasting, dissemination of warnings, preparedness measures and reaction capacities. (UNISDR 2004)
  

2. The systematic development and application of policies, strategies and practices to minimize vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout a society, to avoid (prevention) or to limit (mitigation and preparedness) adverse impact of hazards, within the broad context of sustainable development." (UNISDR 2002, 25)

Early Warning -- 1. The provision of timely and effective information, through identified institutions, that allows individuals exposed to a hazard to take action to avoid or reduce their risk and prepare for effective response.

Early warning systems include a chain of concerns, namely: understanding and mapping the hazard; monitoring and forecasting impending events; processing and disseminating understandable warnings to political authorities and the population, and undertaking appropriate and timely actions in response to the warnings. (UNISDR 2004)

2. Some timely form of either written or verbal indication of an impending event; advance notification of a problem in time for appropriate possible actions. (UNISDR, 2004)

Ecosystem -- 1. A complex set of relationships of living organisms functioning as a unit and interacting with their physical environment. (UNISDR, 2004)

2. The boundaries of what could be called an ecosystem are somewhat arbitrary, depending on the focus of interest or study. Thus the extent of an ecosystem may range from very small spatial scales to, ultimately, the entire Earth (IPCC, 2001).

Emergency -- 1. An unexpected event which places life and/or property in danger and requires an immediate response through the use of routine community resources and procedures. Examples would be a multi-automobile wreck, especially involving injury or death, and a fire caused by lightning strike which spreads to other buildings.

Emergencies can be handled with local resources. (Drabek 1996, Session 2, p. 3)

2. A more serious situation than an incident, but less serious than a disaster. (Oxford Canadian Dictionary, 1998; noted by Pearce 2000, Chapter 2, 2)

3. An event in which established emergency organizations (such as the American Red Cross or utilities) need to expand their activities. (Quarantelli 1987, 25.)

Emergency management -- 1. The organization and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all aspects of emergencies, in particularly preparedness, response and rehabilitation.

Emergency management involves plans, structures and arrangements established to engage the normal endeavours of government, voluntary and private agencies in a comprehensive and coordinated way to respond to the whole spectrum of emergency needs. This is also known as disaster management. (UNISDR 2004)

Emergency Response -- 1. Response refers to actions undertaken immediately before and during impact to reduce primary and secondary negative effects. (Peterson and Perry 1999, 242)

Environment -- 1. The total infrastructure of the affected society including the existence, condition, of the nature as well as social factors such as population densities, topography, culture and existing social and governmental structures, as well as living conditions and known hazards and the risks associated with each hazard. (Journal of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 2007)

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) -- 1. Studies undertaken in order to assess the effect on a specified environment of the introduction of any new factor, which may upset the current ecological balance.

EIA is a policy making tool that serves to provide evidence and analysis of environmental impacts of activities from conception to decision-making. It is utilised extensively in national programming and for international development assistance projects. An EIA must include a detailed risk assessment and provide alternatives solutions or options. (UNISDR 2004)

Environmental degradation -- 1. The reduction of the capacity of the environment to meet social and ecological objectives, and needs.

Potential effects are varied and may contribute to an increase in vulnerability and the frequency and intensity of natural hazards. Some examples: land degradation, deforestation, desertification, wildland fires, loss of biodiversity, land, water and air pollution, climate change, sea level rise and ozone depletion. (UNISDR, 2004)

Environmental Management -- 1. Management and control of the environment and natural resources systems in such a way so as to ensure the sustainability of development efforts over a long-term basis. (Dougherty and Hall, 1995)

Evacuation -- 1. Move populations away from the hazard or its consequences. (Damon P. Coppola, 2007)

Flood Plain -- 1. Typically, a low area adjacent to a river or other body of water that is subject to flooding. (American Meteorological Society, 2007)

Flood(ing) Control -- 1. A structural intervention to limit flooding and so an example of a risk management measure. (Gouldby and Samuels, 2004)

Forecast -- 1. Definite statement or statistical estimate of the occurrence of a future event (UNESCO, WMO).

This term is used with different meanings in different disciplines. (UNISDR 2004)

Geographic information systems (GIS) -- 1. Analysis that combine relational databases with spatial interpretation and outputs often in form of maps. A more elaborate definition is that of computer programmes for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, analysing and displaying data about the earth that is spatially referenced.

Geographical information systems are increasingly being utilised for hazard and vulnerability mapping and analysis, as well as for the application of disaster risk management measures. (UNISDR 2004)

2. A computerised database for the capture, storage, analysis and display of locationally defined information. Commonly, a GIS portrays a portion of the earth's surface in the form of a map on which this information is overlaid. (EM Australia 1995)

Hazard -- 1. A potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon or human activity that may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.

Hazards can include latent conditions that may represent future threats and can have different origins: natural (geological, hydrometeorological and biological) or induced by human processes (environmental degradation and technological hazards). Hazards can be single, sequential or combined in their origin and effects. Each hazard is characterised by its location, intensity, frequency and probability. (UNISDR 2004)

2. A Hazard is an extreme geophysical event that is capable of causing a disaster. 'Extreme' in this case signifies a substantial departure in either the positive or the negative direction from a mean or a trend. The fundamental determinants of hazards are location, timing, magnitude and frequency. Many hazardous phenomena are recurrent in time and predictable in terms of location. We define natural hazards as extreme events that originate in the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere or atmosphere." (Alexander, 2000)

3. Hazards always result from interaction of physical and human systems. To treat them as though they were wholly climatic or geologic or political or economic is to risk omission of components that must be taken into account if sound solutions for them are to be found (Burton et al. 1993, 188).

4. Hazards are defined as threats to a system, comprised of perturbations and stress (and stressors), and the consequences they produce. A perturbation is amajor spike in pressure (e.g., a tidal wave or hurricane) beyond the normal range of variability in which the system operates. Perturbations commonly originate beyond the system or location in question. Stress is a continuous or slowly increasing pressure (e.g., soil degradation), commonly within the range of normal variability. Stress often originates and stressors (the source of stress) often reside within the system. Risk is the probability and magnitude of consequences after a hazard (perturbation or stress). (Turner, B.L. et al. 2003)

5. A hazard, in the broadest term, is a threat to people and the things they value. Hazards have a potentiality to them (they could happen), but they also include the actual impact of an event on people or places. Hazards arise from the interaction between social, technological, and natural systems. (Cutter, S.L. 2001)

6. Disasters caused by movements and deformation of the earth's crust. (European Environment Agency 2005)

Hazard analysis -- 1. Identification, studies and monitoring of any hazard to determine its potential, origin, characteristics and behaviour. (UNISDR 2004)

2. The identification and evaluation of all hazards that potentially threaten a jurisdiction to determine the degree of threat that is posed by each. (Michigan EMD 1998, 6)

3. That part of the overall planning process which identifies and describes hazards and their effects upon the community. (National Disasters Organization, 1992)

Hazard Assessment -- 1. The process of estimating, for defined areas, the probabilities of the occurrence of potentially-damaging phenomenon of given magnitudes within a specified period of time. Hazard assessment involves analysis of formal and informal historical records, and skilled interpretation of existing topographical graphical, geological geomorphological, hydrological, and land-use maps. (Simeon Institute 1998)

Humanitarian Assistance -- 1. Programs conducted to relieve or reduce the results of natural or man-made disasters or other endemic conditions such as human pain, disease, hunger, or privation that might present a serious threat to life or that can result in great damage to or loss of property. Humanitarian assistance provided by U.S. forces is limited in scope and duration. The assistance provided is designed to supplement or complement the efforts of the host nation civil authorities or agencies that may have the primary responsibility for providing humanitarian assistance. (O'Leary, 2007)

Human-made Disasters -- 1. Disasters or emergency situations where the principal, direct cause(s) are identifiable human actions, deliberate or otherwise. Apart from "technological" and "ecological" disasters, this mainly involves situations in which civilian populations suffer casualties, losses of property, basic services and means of livelihood as a result of war or civil strife, for example: Human-made disasters/emergencies can be of the rapid or slow onset types, and in the case of internal conflict, can lead to "complex emergencies" as well. Human-made disaster acknowledges that all disasters are caused by humans because they have chosen, for whatever reason, to be where natural phenomena occurs that result in adverse impacts of people. This mainly involves situations in which civilian populations suffer casualties, losses of property, basic services and means of livelihood as a result of war, civil strife, or other conflict. (Simeon Institute)

Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) -- 1. a plan of action to reduce our collective vulnerability to natural hazards (ISDR, 2004)

Incident -- 1.

Intervention -- 1. Intervention scenarios (in the context of environmental studies) depict the future consequences of policy interventions. In other words, they describe the future state of society and the environment under influence of directed environmental policies. Intervention scenarios are also known as 'pollution control' or 'mitigation' or 'policy' scenarios. (European Environment Agency, 2007)

Land-use planning -- 1. Branch of physical and socio-economic planning that determines the means and assesses the values or limitations of various options in which land is to be utilized, with the corresponding effects on different segments of the population or interests of a community taken into account in resulting decisions.

Land-use planning involves studies and mapping, analysis of environmental and hazard data, formulation of alternative land-use decisions and design of a long-range plan for different geographical and administrative scales.

Land-use planning can help to mitigate disasters and reduce risks by discouraging high-density settlements and construction of key installations in hazard-prone areas, control of population density and expansion, and in the siting of service routes for transport, power, water, sewage and other critical facilities. (UNISDR 2004)

Life Jackets -- 1. A buoyant garment worn over the upper body to enable a person to stay afloat in water. (MDA, 2002.)

Likelihood -- 1. A general concept relating to the chance of an event occurring. Likelihood is generally expressed as a probability or a frequency. (Pappenberger et al. 2001)

Mitigation -- 1. Structural and non-structural measures undertaken to limit the adverse impact of natural hazards, environmental degradation and technological hazards. (UNISDR 2002, 25) (UNISDR 2004)

2. Mitigation is the social attempt to reduce the occurrence of a disaster, to reduce the vulnerability of certain populations, and to more equitably distribute the costs within the society. (Dynes 1993, 179) 3.". . .mitigation is seen as prevention - stopping a negative event before it happens." (Peterson and Perry 1999, 242)

Mock Drill -- Related terms: Disaster Drill

Natural Disaster -- 1. Any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, drought, fire, or other catastrophe in any part of the United States which causes, or which may cause, substantial damage or injury to civilian property or persons. (Robert T. Stafford Act, 602)

Natural Hazards -- 1. Natural processes or phenomena occurring in the biosphere that may constitute a damaging event.

Natural hazards can be classified by origin namely: geological, hydrometeorological or biological. Hazardous events can vary in magnitude or intensity, frequency, duration, area of extent, speed of onset, spatial dispersion and temporal spacing. (UNISDR 2004)

2. The concept of natural hazards is somewhat paradoxical; the elements of a natural geophysical event (e.g., wind and storm surge of a hurricane) are hazardous only when they prove detrimental to human activity systems (Baker 1976, 1).

3. ". . .a naturally occurring or man-made geologic condition of phenomenon that presents a risk or is a potential danger to life or property" (American Geological Institute 1984). (Quoted in Tobin and Montz 1997, 9).

4. First, the misunderstanding of 'natural hazards' as events unrelated to or separate from human activity and human choice is no longer credible. The fundamental involvement of human organizations, cultural and institutional context, and political-economic structures cannot be overlooked or wished away. The creation, distribution, and mitigation of vulnerability to hazards of all kinds is a social interaction with either other social processes or geophysical processes or both. There is no purely 'natural' hazard in the full sense of a risk or danger for which affected persons have no defence or remedy." (Weiner 2001, 1)

NDMO / NDMA National Disaster Management Organisation / National Disaster Management Authority -- 1. General term referring to ministries, agencies or departments of national governments that are responsible for disaster risk reduction and/or disaster response.

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) -- 1. A non-profit-making, voluntary, service-oriented/development oriented organization, either for the benefit of members (a grassroots organization) or of other members of the population (an agency). (World Bank). A non-profit group or association organized outside of institutionalized political structures to realize particular social objectives (such as environmental protection) or serve particular constituencies (such as indigenous peoples). NGO activities range from research, information distribution, training, local organization, and community service to legal advocacy, lobbying for legislative change, and civil disobedience. NGO's range in size from small groups within a particular community to huge membership groups with a national or international scope. (Franklin Pierce Law Center, 2007)

Panic -- 1. Acute and overwhelming sense of fear and dread, usually of sudden onset and most often self-limiting and of short duration, from a few seconds to hours, the accompanying restlessness resulting in an urge to escape. A frequent but not lasting phenomenon following disasters and major emergencies. (Journal of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 2007)

Participatory Vulnerability Analysis (PVA) -- 1. PVA is a systematic process that involves communities and other stakeholders in an in-depth examination of their vulnerability, and at the same time empowers or motivates them to take appropriate actions. The overall aim of PVA is to link disaster preparedness and response to long-term development. (ActionAid, 2006)

Related terms: Community Risk Assessment, Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment etc.

Philanthropy -- 1. Giving money, food, goods or services free to those who are in need, or any organisation which is established to provide money or help in this way. (Western Australian Community Foundation Limited, 2007)

Policy -- 1. A governing principle pertaining to goals, objectives, and/or activities. It is a decision on an issue not resolved on the basis of facts and logic only. (Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2007)

Practice -- 1. a customary way of operation or behavior ..." 2. exercise: systematic training by multiple repetition... 3. drill: learn by repetition... 4. translating an idea into action... 5. avail oneself to... 6. the exercise of a profession... 7. carry out or practice... 8. knowledge of how something is usually done... 9. Rehearse... (of) (WordNet Search - 3.0, 2006).

Preparedness -- 1. Activities and measures taken in advance to ensure effective response to the impact of hazards, including the issuance of timely and effective early warnings and the temporary evacuation of people and property from threatened locations.(UNISDR 2004)

2. Preparedness represents actions that are undertaken to reduce the negative consequences of events where there is insufficient human control to institute mitigation measures. (Peterson and Perry 1999, 242)

Prevention -- 1. Activities to provide outright avoidance of the adverse impact of hazards and means to minimize related environmental, technological and biological disasters. 

Depending on social and technical feasibility and cost/benefit considerations, investing in preventive measures is justified in areas frequently affected by disasters. In the context of public awareness and education, related to disaster risk reduction changing attitudes and behaviour contribute to promoting a "culture of prevention". (UNISDR 2004)

2. The likelihood of a specific outcome, measured by the ratio of specific outcomes to the total number of possible outcomes. Probability is expressed as a number between 0 and 1, with 0 indicating an impossible outcome and 1 indicating an outcome is certain. (Standards 1995)

Probability -- 1. The likelihood of a specific outcome, measured by the ratio of specific outcomes to the total number of possible outcomes. Probability is expressed as a number between 0 and 1, with 0 indicating an impossible outcome and 1 indicating an outcome is certain. (Standards 1995)

Public Awareness -- 1. The processes of informing the general population, increasing levels of consciousness about risks and how people can act to reduce their exposure to hazards. This is particularly important for public officials in fulfilling their responsibilities to save lives and property in the event of a disaster. (UNISDR, 2004)

Public information -- 1. Information, facts and knowledge provided or learned as a result of research or study, available to be disseminated to the public. (UNISDR 2004)

Public Safety Organization -- 1. A Federal, State, or local organization that has been given, by law, the responsibility for protecting life, property, and natural resources (e.g., law enforcement agencies, fire departments, or emergency medical service providers). (US Department of Justice, 1997)

Radio Act of 1912 -- 1. It required all seafaring vessels to maintain 24-hour radio watch and keep in contact with nearby ships and coastal radio stations. Part of the impetus for the act's passage was the sinking of the RMS Titanic. The act set a precedent for international and federal legislation of wireless communications. It was followed by the Radio Act of 1927. The act also required all amateur radio operators to be licensed and prevented them from transmitting over the main commercial and military wavelengths. (The Federal Radio Commission Archives, 1997)

Rainwater Harvesting -- 1. An above or below ground storage system that collects, stores and distributes run-off of rain or snow from roofs. (EcoDensity, 2007)

Rainwater Tanks -- 1. A tank collecting roofwater which is either: • fully above ground or • at least half the tank is above ground and the view of and access to the inlet pipe, air gap and overflow pipe are unobstructed. Aboveground rainwater tanks are installed inside or outside a building, usually on reinforced surfaces. Metal, poly/plastic, fibreglass or concrete tanks are typically installed aboveground. (The Rain Water Glossary, 2007)

Rapid Assessment -- Related terms: Assessment

Rebound -- The rise of the earth's crust in response to the removal of substantial thicknesses (and weight) of ice. (Department of Conservation Maine, 2006)

Reconstruction -- 1. Reorganization of the affected territory, reconstruction of the built environment, restoration of basic services, and the development of the economy with a view to re-establishing the pre-disaster conditions. (Journal of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 2007)

Recovery -- 1. Decisions and actions taken after a disaster with a view to restoring or improving the pre-disaster living conditions of the stricken community, while encouraging and facilitating necessary adjustments to reduce disaster risk.

Recovery (rehabilitation and reconstruction) affords an opportunity to develop and apply disaster risk reduction measures. (UNISDR 2004)

2.The coordinated process of supporting emergency-affected communities in reconstruction of the physical infrastructure and restoration of emotional, social, economic and physical well-being. (EMI Australia 1996)

Relief /response -- 1. Assistance and/or intervention during or after disaster to meet the life preservation and basic subsistence needs. It can be of emergency or protracted duration. (U.N. 1992, 5) (UNISDR 2004)

Resilience -- 1. The capacity of a system, community or society potentially exposed to hazards to adapt, by resisting or changing in order to reach and maintain an acceptable level of functioning and structure. This is determined by the degree to which the social system is capable of organizing itself to increase its capacity for learning from past disasters for better future protection and to improve risk reduction measures. (UNISDR 2004).

2. The capacity to recover successfully from loss and damage. The central features of resilience appear to be access to resources (particularly finance), access to information and services, the capacity to manage one's own affairs and the capacity to deal with the stress and emotions generated by the disaster. (Buckle 1995, 13)

Response -- 1. Those activities and programs designed to address the immediate and short-term effects of the onset of an emergency or disaster. (FEMA 1992) 2. "Response refers to actions undertaken immediately before and during impact to reduce primary and secondary negative effects." (Peterson and Perry 1999, 242)

Restoration Measures -- 1. taken to return a site to pre-violation conditions. (European Environment Agency, 2007)

Retrofitting -- 1. Reinforcement of structures to become more resistant and resilient to the forces of natural hazards.

Retrofitting involves consideration of changes in the mass, stiffness, damping, load path and ductility of materials, as well as radical changes such as the introduction of energy absorbing dampers and base isolation systems. Examples of retrofitting includes the consideration of wind loading to strengthen and minimize the wind force, or in earthquake prone areas, the strengthening of structures. (UNISDR 2004)

Richter Scale -- 1. Logarithmic magnitude scale of earthquake energy, illustrated by typical impacts. Energies of earthquakes (Richter-scale Magnitude): Magnitude Energies (TNT) 1 = 1.7 Kg 2 = 5.9 Kg 3 = 180 Kg 4 = 6 tons 5 = 199 tons 6 = 6,270 tons 7 = 100,000 tons 8 = 6,270,000 tons 9 = 199,000,000 tons (Reference Center 1998)

Risk -- 1. The probability of harmful consequences, or expected losses (deaths, injuries, property, livelihoods, economic activity disrupted or environment damaged) resulting from interactions between natural or human-induced hazards and vulnerable conditions.

Conventionally risk is expressed by the notation
Risk = Hazards x Vulnerability. Some disciplines also include the concept of exposure to refer particularly to the physical aspects of vulnerability.

Beyond expressing a possibility of physical harm, it is crucial to recognize that risks are inherent or can be created or exist within social systems. It is important to consider the social contexts in which risks occur and that people therefore do not necessarily share the same perceptions of risk and their underlying causes. (UNISDR 2004)

2. In general, risk is defined as the expectation value of losses (deaths, injuries, property, etc.) that would be caused by a hazard. Disaster risk can be seen as a function of the hazard, exposure and vulnerability as follows; Disaster Risk = function (Hazard, Exposure, Vulnerability). (ADRC, 2005)

3. Risk can be defined as the likelihood, or more formally the probability, that a particular level of loss will be sustained by a given series of elements as a result of a given level of hazard. The elements at risk consists of populations, communities , the built environment, the natural environment, economic activities and services, which are under threat of disaster in a given area. (Alexander, D. 2000)

4. The probability of an event multiplied by the consequences if the event occurs. (Einstein, H.H. 1988)

5.The following formula is used to calculate disaster risk: Disaster Risk = Hazard x Vulnerability In this equation risk is the product of the two factors, hazard and vulnerability. Therefore, it is clear that a risk exists only if there is vulnerability to the hazard posed by a natural event.(Garatwa, W. & Bollin, C. 2002)

Risk accumulation -- 1. Risk accumulation is the magnitude of, and lag in, the relationship between increasing (cumulative) exposure to a risk factor and resultant disease. (New Zealand Ministry of Health, 2003)

Risk Assessment -- 1. A methodology to determine the nature and extent of risk by analysing potential hazards and evaluating existing conditions of vulnerability that could pose a potential threat or harm to people, property, livelihoods and the environment on which they depend.

The process of conducting a risk assessment is based on a review of both the technical features of hazards such as their location, intensity, frequency and probability; and also the analysis of the physical, social, economic and environmental dimensions of vulnerability and exposure, while taking particular account of the coping capabilities pertinent to the risk scenarios. (UNISDR 2004)

2. Determination of vulnerabilities and hazards in certain location to establish risks and risk probabilities. (D&E Reference Center 1998)

3. refers to the technical assessment of the nature and magnitude of risk". (Cohrssen and Covello, 1989)

4. A risk assessment is an objective scientific assessment of the chance of experiencing loss or adverse consequences when physical and social elements are exposed to potentially harmful natural and technological hazards, environmental impact, morbidity, and mortality." (Hays and Ryland 2001)

Risk identification -- Related Terms: Risk Assessment

Risk Perception -- 1. Slovic (cited in Slaymaker 1995, 3) defines risk perception as 'the 'common sense' understanding of hazards, exposure and risk, arrived at by a community through intuitive reasoning, usually expressed, as 'safe' or 'unsafe'.' He goes on the mention that 'policy decisions are almost always driven by perceived risk among the population affected and among decision makers [and that] these perceptions are commonly at variance with 'technical' risk assessments.' (Pearce 2000, Chapter 3, 18)

Safety -- 1. Safety, in the traditional sense, refers to monitoring and reducing the risk of personnel casualties (injuries and deaths) to some acceptable level. (Shaw, 1999)

Scope -- 1. A real or abstract border or limitation of actions, processes or a geographical area; extent to which it is possible to range. (Journal of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 2007)

Search and Rescue (SAR) -- (or Search and Recovery) 1. is an operation mounted by emergency services, often well-trained volunteers, to find someone believed to be in distress, lost, sick or injured either in a remote or difficult to access area, such as mountains, desert or forest ("Wilderness search and rescue"), or at sea, whether close to shore or not. The term can also be applied in urban situations when young children or senile people wander away from their homes and cannot be found. (Wikipedia, 2007)

Seismic Activity -- 1. The phenomenon of Earth movements. (European Environment Agency, 2007)

Seismic Risk -- 1. Seismic risk consists of the components seismic hazard, seismic vulnerability, and value of elements at risk (both, in human and economic terms). (Wahlstrom et al. 2004)

Seismograph -- 1. An instrument used to measure and record earthquake vibrations and other earth tremors. (American Meteorological Society, 2007)

Shelter -- 1. Something that provides cover or protection, as from the weather; a refuge; a haven; an establishment that provides temporary housing for homeless people.

2. The state of being covered or protected. (O'Leary, 2007)

Shelter Belt -- 1. Trees and/or shrubs planted in rows or groups to provide shelter and act as a windbreak to protect crops or ornamental plants. A shelter belt needs to be dense at the bottom to produce a good effect, as wind is blocked three feet from the bottom of the plants for every foot in height of the shelter belt. (Colorado Spring Utilities, 2007)

Strategy -- 1. The reconciliation of society's development goals with Planet Earth's environmental limits over the long term. (Carrido and Hays 2001, 1)

Structural / non-structural measures -- 1. Structural measures refer to any physical construction to reduce or avoid possible impacts of hazards, which include engineering measures and construction of hazard-resistant and protective structures and infrastructure.

Non-structural measures refer to policies, awareness, knowledge development, public commitment, and methods and operating practices, including participatory mechanisms and the provision of information, which can reduce risk and related impacts. (UNISDSR 2004)

Sustainability Management -- Related terms: Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development -- 1. Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts: the concept of "needs", in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and the future needs. (Brundtland Commission, 1987).

2. Sustainable development is based on socio-cultural development, political stability and decorum, economic growth and ecosystem protection, which all relate to disaster risk reduction. (UNISDR 2004)

3. Sustainable development is that which "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." (UN World Commission 1987, 8)

Task Force -- 1. A task force is a group of members or otherwise qualified individuals formed to completed an assignment within a specific timeframe. (Sigma Theta Tau International, 2007)

Technological hazards -- 1. Danger originating from technological or industrial accidents, dangerous procedures, infrastructure failures or certain human activities, which may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.

Some examples: industrial pollution, nuclear activities and radioactivity, toxic wastes, dam failures; transport, industrial or technological accidents (explosions, fires, spills). (UNISDR 2004)

Technological Disaster -- 1. Everything that can go wrong when systems fail, humans err, designs prove faulty, engines misfire, and so on. (Erikson, 1989, 141)

Terrorism -- 1. The calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological. (FEMA Disaster Dictionary 2001, 120; citing DoD Joint Pub 1-102)

Threat -- 1. Potential intent to cause harm or damage to an asset (e.g., natural environment, people, man-made infrastructures, and activities and operations) (O'Leary, 2007)

Toxicological Disaster -- 1. A serious environmental that causes illness by a massive, accidental escape of toxic substances into the air, soil, or water. Toxicological disasters affect man, animals, and plants. (O'Leary, 2007)

Tragedy -- 1. An intensely sad, calamitous, or fatal event or course of events; disaster" (Funk & Wagnalls 1996)

Training -- 1. The act or process of teaching or learning a skill or discipline. (Journal of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 2007)

Urban Resilience -- 1.
Related terms: Resilience

Urbanisation / Urbanization -- 1. Urbanisation is the increase in the proportion of people living in towns and cities. Urbanisation occurs because people move from rural areas (countryside) to urban areas (towns and cities). This usually occurs when a country is still developing. (European Environment Agency, 2007)

Victim -- 1. Casualty with sustained lesions of mechanical, chemical or nuclear nature or combinations. (Journal of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 2007)

Vulnerability -- 1. The conditions determined by physical, social, economic, and environmental factors or processes, which increase the susceptibility of a community to the impact of hazards.

For positive factors, which increase the ability of people to cope with hazards, see definition of capacity. (UNISDR 2004)

2. Is the characteristic of a person or a group in terms of their capacity to anticipate, cope with, resist, and recover from the impact of a natural disaster” (Blakie et al. 1994 p.9 quoted in Alwang et al. 2001)

3.Summarizing livelihood and environmental literature: vulnerability is the exposure of individuals or groups to livelihood stress as a result of environmental change.(Alwang et al. 2001)

Warning -- 1. Dissemination of message signaling imminent hazard which may include advice on protective measures. (U.N. 1992, 5)

Wildland fire -- 1. Any fire occurring in vegetation areas regardless of ignition sources, damages or benefits. (UNISDR 2004)

Zoning -- 1. Zoning is the local governments’ tool that regulates land-use, promotes orderly growth, and protects existing property owners by ensuring a convenient, attractive and functional community. Zoning is the way the local governments control the physical development of land and the kinds of uses to which each individual property may be put. (ESPON, 2003)

Organizations

ActionAid International -- ActionAid is an international anti-poverty agency whose aim is to fight poverty worldwide. Formed in 1972, they have been helping over 13 million of the world's poorest and most disadvantaged people in 42 countries worldwide. (ActionAid, 2006)

Asia-Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development (APEID) -- APEID was officially launched to strengthen Member States' capabilities at national and local levels for creation and use of educational innovations in achieving national development goals. (APEID, 2007)

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) -- A non-profit organization, established in 1986, supporting the advancement of safer communities and sustainable development, through implementing programs and projects that reduce the impact of disasters upon countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. (Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre, 2006)

Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) -- ...

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) -- CIDA was established in 1968 to administer the bulk of Canada’s official development assistance (ODA) program. CIDA’s priorities are poverty reduction, democratic governance, private sector development, health, basic education, equality between women and men, and environmental sustainability. (Canadian International Development Agency, 2007)

Center for Environment Education (CEE) -- Centre for Environment Education (CEE) was created in recognition of the importance of environmental education in India’s overall environment and development strategy. The result of a unique partnership between government and a non-governmental institution, CEE was established as a Centre of Excellence in 1984. (Centre for Environment Education, 2007)

Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) -- A program developed by the Chemical Manufacturers Association providing guidance for chemical plant managers to assist them in taking the initiative in cooperating with local communities to develop integrated (community/industry) hazardous materials emergency plans. (FEMA 1990)

Inter-American Network for Disaster Mitigation (INDM) -- The mission of the INDM is to support the exchange of information and knowledge regarding past disasters, vulnerability reduction, preparedness and response practices and strategies, and natural disaster mitigation – so as to mainstream Natural Hazard Risk Management and Natural Disaster Mitigation into national and regional development plans and public policy; improve coordination of international cooperation and investment plans; and support the implementation of multi-national agreements for transboundary early warning systems and data sharing and exchange. (Department of Sustainable Development, 2007)

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) -- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is a humanitarian institution that is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement along with the ICRC and 185 distinct National Societies. Founded in 1919 and based in Geneva, Switzerland, it coordinates activities between the National Societies in order "to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity" (Wikipedia, 1999) (See Red Cross)

Oxfam -- Oxfam International is a confederation of 13 organizations working together with over 3,000 partners in more than 100 countries to find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice. With many of the causes of poverty global in nature, the 13 affiliate members of Oxfam International believe they can achieve greater impact through their collective efforts. Oxfam International seeks increased worldwide public understanding that economic and social justice are crucial to sustainable development. We strive to be a global campaigning force promoting the awareness and motivation that comes with global citizenship while seeking to shift public opinion in order to make equity the same priority as economic growth. (Oxfam International, 2007)

ProVention Consortium -- The overall goal of ProVention is to reduce the risk and social, economic and environmental impacts of natural hazards on vulnerable populations in developing countries in order to alleviate poverty and contribute to sustainable development. This is achieved through: * Forging partnerships and promoting multi-stakeholder networking; * Promoting policy as an informal forum for dialogue and agenda-setting; * Improving practice through more effective problem-solving; * Managing knowledge through combining knowledge advancement, gathering and sharing. All ProVention project activities are intended to contribute to these four overarching and interconnected objectives and to the Hyogo Framework for Action. (ProVention Consortium, 2007)

Red Cross -- Red Cross, or International Red Cross, general terms used for one or all the components of the worldwide organization active in humanitarian work. The official overall name is the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which has 3 components. 1. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): acts mainly in conflict disasters as neutral intermediary in hostilities and for the protection of war victims. Guardian of the Geneva Conventions. 2. League of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (LRCS): International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies (IFRC), active in non-conflict disasters and natural calamities. 3. The individual National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society of every country (Gunn) (See also ICRC, IFRC)

Risk RED -- An international "virtual" ngo dedicated to linking knowledge and action for disaster risk reduction. www.riskred.org

UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) -- UNICEF was established on 11 December 1946 by the United Nations to meet the emergency needs of children in post-war Europe and China. Its full name was the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.In 1950, its mandate was broadened to address the long-term needs of children and women in developing countries everywhere. UNICEF became a permanent part of the United Nations system in 1953, when its name was shortened to the United Nations Children's Fund. However, UNICEF retained its original acronym. (UNICEF, 2007)

UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) -- UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. Its stated purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science, and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and the human rights and fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the UN Charter. It is the heir of the League of Nations' International Commission on Intellectual Cooperation. (UNESCO, 2007)

UN Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) -- The United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) was founded in 1971 as an instrument to help achieve the strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade. UNCRD was created by an agreement between the UN and the Government of Japan. (UNCRD, 2007)

UN Environment Programme (UNEP) -- UNEP, established in 1972, is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system. UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment. To accomplish this, UNEP works with a wide range of partners, including United Nations entities, international organizations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and civil society (UNEP, 2007)

UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) -- The ISDR aims at building disaster resilient communities by promoting increased awareness of the importance of disaster reduction as an integral component of sustainable development, with the goal of reducing human, social, economic and environmental losses due to natural hazards and related technological and environmental disasters. (ISDR, 2005)

The UN/ISDR is the focal point in the UN System to promote links and synergies between, and the coordination of, disaster reduction activities in the socio-economic, humanitarian and development fields, as well as to support policy integration. It serves as an international information clearinghouse on disaster reduction, developing awareness campaigns and producing articles, journals, and other publications and promotional materials related to disaster reduction. The UN/ISDR headquarters is based at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. It conducts outreach programmes through its regional units in Costa Rica and Kenya. The ISDR aims at building disaster resilient communities by promoting increased awareness of the importance of disaster reduction as an integral component of sustainable development, with the goal of reducing human, social, economic and environmental losses due to natural hazards and related technological and environmental disasters. (International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, 2007)

World Meteorological Agency -- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is the UN system's authoritative voice on the state and behaviour of the Earth's atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans, the climate it produces and the resulting distribution of water resources. WMO has a membership of 188 Member States and Territories(since 24 January 2007). It originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873. Established in 1950, WMO became the specialized agency of the United Nations in 1951 for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. (World Meteorological Organization, 2007)

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