Towards a Safer World

This report asserts that the more widespread integration of science into disaster risk reduction policy making will depend on science being ‘useful, useable and used’. The case studies in the report describe specific examples of scientific learning being employed to enhance disaster risk reduction, providing evidence that science is useable for disaster risk reduction. The case studies were selected from across the breadth of scientific disciplines and from all parts of the globe.

Epidemic typhus is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia prowazekii and transmitted by body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis). This disease occurs where conditions are crowded and unsanitary. This disease accompanied war, famine, and poverty for centuries.

12 Dec 2013 - The European Parliament today paved the way for stronger cooperation in responding to disasters by adopting new legislation on the EU Civil Protection Mechanism set to come into force at the beginning of 2014.
http://www.preventionweb.net/english/professional/news/v.php?id=35826&pi...

Natural resources and human well-being in a green economy
http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/environmental-indicator-report-2013

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is launching a new video clip competition under the theme “Promoting Investments for Resilient Nations and Communities”.

By Olga B. Jonas, The World Bank - This paper looks at pandemic risk, what it means for development, and how management of this risk could be improved, both in countries and internationally. The paper was motivated by the prevalence of pandemic myths. Widely held beliefs—that pandemics are inevitable and thus not worth worrying about, that the health sector is managing the risks, and that the pandemic risk is not a development issue—lead to underestimation of pandemic risk, scant preparedness, and inadequate prevention. Examining the reasons why these myths persist could help governments and international organizations improve management of the risks associated with pandemics.

Read more and download full paper from UN-Influenza.org website: Pandemic Risk paper for the WDR 2014

Read the Newsletter online, or download a PDF (attachment below).
In this issue:
- Global Platform of Disaster Risk Reduction - Taking Stock of Achievements: Charting Future Directions
- “Invest Today for a Safer Tomorrow: Resilient People - Resilient Planet”
- and more...

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is pleased to announce that the proceedings of the Fourth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction held 19-23 May 2013 in Geneva is now available online at the following address: http://www.preventionweb.net/globalplatform/2013/news/view/34344