Water in the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction

The International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) was launched by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1987 to run from 1990 to 2000. Its aim is to reduce the loss of life, property damage and social and economic disruption caused by natural disasters. The resolution proclaiming the Decade makes specific reference to floods, tsunamis, drought and desertification among the principal disasters to be considered. Floods cause about one third of all deaths, one third of all injuries and one third of all damage from natural disasters. Tropical storms and droughts are the most destructive events and in them it is the flooding and a lack of water, respectively, which is the major feature. Water is therefore by far the most important element in natural disasters. The IDNDR calls for action by governments and international organizations to put greater emphasis than in the past on disaster prevention. Hydrologists, hydraulic engineers and those responsible for the management of land and water resources have a major role to play in this regard. The remaining few years of the Decade should be used to launch a new focus on disaster prevention as a central pillar of sustainable development in both developed and developing countries.