unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (08/12/89)
UNICEF: NEW AFRICAN CENTRE FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS In response to the announcement by the UN General Assembly designating the 1990s as the International Decade of Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR), a new centre for emergency preparedness for the African region has been established in Addis Ababa. The Centre, officially inaugurated in the Ethiopian capital last March, will function as part of the WHO Global Programme for Emergency Preparedness and Response to support the implementation of IDNDR activities. The new Centre will help prepare countries to face emergencies caused by droughts, floods, cyclones, epidemics of disease and other natural disasters, according to an article in the centre's newsletter. While scientific research has helped to understand the causes of natural catastrophes and modern technology can be applied to make mankind less vulnerable to them, full use is not yet being made of advances in science and technology to provide better warning and protection for people and their property in the areas at risk, the newsletter said. The IDNDR will provide a framework into which a variety of projects and activities may be introduced on the initiative of national or international agencies, institutions and groups. An international committee composed of leading experts on disaster prevention and preparedness will be set up to provide high-level scientific advice and assistance. Source: The Ark Bulletin * Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501) --- Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange