Initial phases of the UNDP country programming exercise

ASPECTS OF DISASTER MITIGATION

Past disasters

past experience with disasters - losses suffered (notably those which could have been mitigated or avoided through prevention, mitigation and preparedness measures), early warning and disaster response strengths and weaknesses

The possibility of future disasters

the natural hazards to which the country is subject, and their frequency, intensity, duration and location

the elements at risk; i.e. the populations, physical property, the socio-economic, agricultural and cultural resources and programs at risk from these hazards

the degree of vulnerability of these elements at risk to the hazards

the total losses which can be expected as a function of hazard, risk, and vulnerability

National resources and capabilities

the legislative, legal, policy and regulatory (e.g. land use, building codes) framework

the extent to which disaster management considerations are explicitly integrated in national development planning and budgetary processes

the scope and quality of national, regional and sub-regional disaster preparedness plans

the extent of public awareness, education, and responsiveness

the character and quality of disaster-specific organizational structures, resources, and procedures

government policies or practices in disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness - especially with respect to agricultural policies, building regulations, land-use planning, transport, regional development, social security support, forestry, water resources

aspects of Government policy directly or indirectly contributing to the occupation of disaster-prone areas

government policies or practices directly or indirectly exacerbating the vulnerability of communities occupying disaster-prone areas

policy shifts needed to reduce the vulnerability-increasing effects of existing government policy

national or external resources needed to reduce risk and vulnerability

Bringing about improvements:

external technical assistance needed and available notably within the country program

training and awareness raising at the government level