SUMMARY

ACTIONS TO REDUCE RISK

For most of the risks associated with natural hazards, there is little or no opportunity to reduce the hazard. In these cases the focus of mitigation policies must be on reducing the vulnerability of the elements and activities at risk.

For technological and human-made hazards, reducing the hazard is, however, likely to be the most effective mitigation strategy.

Actions by planning or development authorities to reduce vulnerability can broadly be classified into two types - active and passive measures.

Active measures are those in which the authorities promote desired actions by offering incentives - these are often associated with development programs in areas of low income.

Passive measures are those in which the authorities prevent undesired actions by using controls and penalties - these actions are usually more appropriate for well-established local authorities in areas with higher incomes.

Community-based mitigation actions are likely to be responsive to people's real needs, to mobilize local resources and use local materials and contribute to the long-term development of the community, though in engineering terms they may be less effective than larger-scale capital-intensive alternatives.

The range of mitigation actions which might be considered can include the following:

- engineering and construction
- physical planning
- economic measures
- management and institutional measures
- societal measures

Engineering measures range from large-scale engineering works to strengthening individual buildings and small-scale community-based projects. Codes of practice for disaster protection are unlikely to be effective unless they are accepted and understood by the community. Training of local builders in techniques to incorporate better protection into traditional structures - buildings, roads, embankments - is likely to be an essential component of such measures.

Careful location of new facilities - particularly community facilities such as schools, hospitals and infrastructure plays an important role in reducing settlement vulnerability: in urban areas, deconcentration of elements especially at risk is an important principle.

The linkages between different sectors of the economy may be more vulnerable to disruption by a disaster than the physical infrastructure. Diversification of the economy is an important way to reduce the risk. A strong economy is the best defense against disaster. Within a strong economy, governments can use economic incentives to encourage individuals or institutions to take disaster mitigation actions.

Building disaster-protection takes time. It needs to be supported by a program of education, training and institution building to provide the professional knowledge and competence required.

Mitigation planning should aim to develop a "safety culture" in which all members of society are aware of the hazards they face, know how to protect themselves, and will support the protection efforts of others and of the community as a whole.

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