A Safer Future: Reducing the Impacts of Natural Disasters

Initial priorities for U.S. participation in the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, declared by the United Nations, are contained in this volume. It focuses on seven issues: hazard and risk assessment; awareness and education; mitigation; preparedness for emergency response; recovery and reconstruction; prediction and warning; learning from disasters; and U.S. participation internationally. The committee presents its philosophy of calls for broad public and private participation to reduce the toll of disasters. Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1. The U.S. Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction2. Hazard and Risk Assessment3. Awareness and Education4. Mitigation5. Preparedness for Emergency Response, Recovery, and Reconstruction6. Prediction and Warning7. Learning from Disasters8. U.S. Participation in the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction9. Organization of the U.S. DecadeAppendix: Hazard Reduction ChecklistSuggested ReadingsAdditional Images