SUMMARY

UN Agencies and NGOs can play a part in reshaping national strategies in disaster preparedness, mitigation, and recovery, this is accomplished through:

- increasing knowledge and awareness
- demonstration of risk reduction measures through better decision making and planning
- technical expertise and information exchange
- legitimizing and financing of mitigation projects

UN agencies and NGOs should strive to set positive examples and serve as models for local government counterparts.

Community involvement is critical to the design and implementation of mitigation programs.

Since disasters rise from situations of poverty, development programs should be aimed at reducing poverty.