Natural disasters have disproportionate consequences for developing countries, in
particular small
island developing States and countries with extremely fragile ecosystems. Programmes for
sustainable development should give higher priority to implementation of the commitments made at
the World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction (Yokohama, Japan, 23-27 May 1994) (see
A/CONF. 172/9 and Add.l). There is a particular need for capacity-building for disaster planning and
management and for the promotion and facilitation of the transfer of early-warning technologies to
countries prone to disasters, in particular developing countries and countries with economies in
transition.
Acknowledging that further work is needed throughout the world, there is a special
need to provide
developing countries with further assistance in:
(a) Strengthening
mechanisms and policies designed to reduce the effects of natural
disasters, improve preparedness and integrate natural disaster considerations in
development planning, through, inter alia, access to resources for disaster mitigation and
preparedness, response and recovery;
(b) Improving access
to relevant technology and training in hazard and risk assessment and
early warning systems, and in protection from environmental disasters, consistent with
national, subregional and regional strategies;
(c) Providing and
facilitating technical, scientific and financial support for disaster
preparedness and response in the context of the International Decade for Natural Disaster
Reduction.
Major technological and other disasters with an adverse impact on the environment
can be a
substantial obstacle in the way of achieving the goals of sustainable development in many
countries. The international community should intensify cooperation in the prevention and reduction
of such disasters and in disaster relief and post-disaster rehabilitation in order to enhance the
capabilities of affected countries to cope with such situations.
