Initial priorities for U.S. participation in the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, declared by the United Nations, are contained in this volume. It focuses on seven issues: hazard and risk assessment; awareness and education; mitigation; preparedness for emergency response; recovery and reconstruction; prediction and warning; learning from disasters; and U.S. participation internationally.


The committee presents its philosophy of calls for broad public and private participation to reduce the toll of disasters.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
1. The U.S. Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction
2. Hazard and Risk Assessment
3. Awareness and Education
4. Mitigation
5. Preparedness for Emergency Response, Recovery, and Reconstruction
6. Prediction and Warning
7. Learning from Disasters
8. U.S. Participation in the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction
9. Organization of the U.S. Decade
Appendix: Hazard Reduction Checklist
Suggested Readings
Additional Images