Topics+of+Interest

= = =Geomorphology, natural hazards, vulnerability and prevention of natural disasters in developing countries =


 * Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Room 1-330, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02139-4307, USA
 * Received 20 September 1999. Revised 27 November 2000. Accepted 25 October 2001. Available online 19 April 2002.

==Abstract == The significance of the prevention of natural disasters is made evident by the commemoration of the// I //nternational // D //ecade for // N //atural // D //isaster // R //eduction (IDNDR). This paper focuses on the role of geomorphology in the prevention of natural disasters in developing countries, where their impact has devastating consequences. Concepts such as natural hazards, natural disasters and vulnerability have a broad range of definitions; however, the most significant elements are associated with the vulnerability concept. The latter is further explored and considered as a key factor in understanding the occurrence of natural disasters, and consequently, in developing and applying adequate strategies for prevention. Terms such as natural and human vulnerabilities are introduce and explained as target aspects to be taken into account in the reduction of vulnerability and for prevention and mitigation of natural disasters. The importance of the incorporation not only of geomorphological research, but also of geomorphologists in risk assessment and management programs in the poorest countries is emphasized.

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= Reducing the risks  posed by natural  hazards and climate change: the need for a participatory dialogue between the scientific community and policy makers =


 * United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, Rue Montoyer 14, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
 * Available online 22 January 2011.

== Abstract == In the last two decades we witnessed a progressive shift in the approach towards the reduction of the impact of natural hazards. From a general // reactive // approach, focusing on strengthening disaster response mechanisms, we have moved to // proactive // approaches. There has been recognition that each element of society, from public institutions to private sector, from community-based organizations to every single individual, can make a difference by acting // before // disasters strike to reduce the associated risks of human and economic losses. This proactive approach can be summarized in three words: Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). Today, DRR is an approach used in several sectors and research areas. In the Development sphere, DRR is considered a key feature for sustainability of economic and development gains – especially for developing countries.

**Source:**

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #2e2e2e; display: block; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;">[]



=<span class="hit" style="background-color: #ffffdd; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline;">Risk <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;">-sharing policies in the context of the French <span class="hit" style="background-color: #ffffdd; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 19px; vertical-align: baseline;">FloodPrevention <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> Action Programmes =


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: baseline;">a <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Cemagref, UMR G-eau, 361 rue J.F. Breton – BP 5095, 34196 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: baseline;">b <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Montpellier Supagro, UMR Lameta, 2 place P. Viala – 34060 Montpellier Cedex 1, France
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: baseline;">c <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: baseline;"> CNRS, UMR Lameta, 2 place P. Viala – 34060 Montpellier Cedex 1, France
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: baseline;">d <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: baseline;"> UMR Lameta, 2 place P. Viala – 34060 Montpellier Cedex 1, France
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; vertical-align: baseline;">Received 28 July 2008. Revised 30 June 2009. Accepted 1 September 2009. Available online 24 September 2009.

==<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #5c5c5c; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; vertical-align: baseline;">Abstract == <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #2e2e2e; display: block; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">This article analyzes the consequences for risk distribution of the French FloodPrevention Action Programme (PAPI). By redirecting floods from the most vulnerable to the least vulnerable areas, PAPIs expose farmers to greater floodrisks. This has led local water management institutions to introduce compensation payments. The article outlines the results of an exhaustive survey of all PAPIs in France, which examined the way the compensation policies are set up locally. Results of the survey showed that the proposed policies may be financially non-viable. Several more viable risk -sharing solutions are then discussed, involving insurance schemes, state intervention and local institutions.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #2e2e2e; display: block; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS','Arial Unicode',Arial,'URW Gothic L',Helvetica,Tahoma,sans-serif; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;">Source: []