Disaster Knowledge Network & the Great Learning Exercise

Disaster Knowledge Network & the Great Learning Exercise

Dr. R. K. Bhandari *

Centre for Disaster Mitigation & Management

Anna University, Chennai

Dark Shadows of Disasters

There is hardly a day when the media does not flash gruesome news of disasters of one kind or the other, striking various parts of globe. India is no exception, Earthquakes, landslides, floods, cyclones, drought, traffic accidents etc all take their turn, and toll, causing turmoil and tension, as the climatic changes get fuelled by the greenhouse, EI Nino and La Nino effects. As nearly 80% of worlds population lives in the developing countries, it is indeed here that communities are most vulnerable to natural disasters, especially in the pockets where concentrations of population and economic activity occur. Today, we are literally sucked on to the suicidal course, and perhaps well in to the so-called forbidden territory, because of the mindless plundering of resources and brutal assault on Natural often in the name of development. The trend is highly upsetting and totally unacceptable, and must be reversed before it is too late.

The fury of disasters write, rewrite and often underscore the fate of millions of victims and survivors, usually in direct proportion to the destructive power they wield. Besides huge losses of lives and property, the very wheels of progress and development get jammed. What one also sees, however, is the ray of hope hidden in the counterpoint placing trust in Science & Technology, and in human ingenuity capable of evolving solutions elegant to annual the destructive power of the succession of hazardous events.

Even when the initial impact of a disaster is not quite severe, its eventual consequences could still be lethal. For example rainstorm flood contamination- epidemics; or cyclone- flood contamination- epidemics can end up with a mass graveyard scenario, throwing even the best of the post disaster management machinery haywire. This did happen during the Orissa super cyclone of October-November 1999, and again during the Bhuj Earthquake of 26th January, 2001, when we passed through traumatic times and very painfully learned how to arrange mass funerals or bury the dead by dozens! Rescuing those buried under the heaps of debris with life still left in them turned out to be one of the many big challenges.

The Driving Force for Change

There is both the need and urgency to change over from the very painful and expensive culture of post disaster relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction to the culture of strategic thinking, predisaster planning, preparedness and mitigation. The high frequency of natural manmade and biological disasters and their deadly blows; the ever growing public suffering; the awareness and stimulus provided by the IDNDR and the national commitment to minimize losses due to disasters have all combined to provide the necessary driving force for change. Most of all, the stimulus comes form the strong signals relayed by the HPC by formally recommending setting of a National Disaster Knowledge Network, encompassing natural, manmade and biological disasters.

For keeping pace with the rapidity of change, we need new technology and innovations in our ideas. We need adequate funding, clarity or purpose, a new vigor and deep commitment in the pursuit research and development work. One cannot expect meaning full socio-economic development of India unless its people feel reasonably safe from the repetitive threats of disasters.

Disaster Mitigation Apparatus and Place of Knowledge Network

What constitutes a successful disaster prevention and mitigation apparatus? Perhaps it is one which is driven by ideas, power of knowledge and innovation to study, understand and appreciate the complex interplay of causative factors, simultaneously as it provides appropriate instruments for effective management of an equally complex set of interdependent acts ranging from strategic thinking on one hand, to timely implementation of a reasonable package of control measures, on the other. This Herculean task could be greatly facilitated by the instrument of Disaster Knowledge Network envisioned by the HPC. The recommendations of HPC established a down to earth connection between the National Disaster Mitigation and Management Apparatus and the proposed Disaster Knowledge Network.

What does a Knowledge Network mean?

A knowledge network is the most modern way of people and parties communicating with one another, sharing ideas, information and resources on specific topics. Continuous inflow of new information and fresh ideas propel more ideas, and thus help develop clearer concepts. For rapid progress, the new data and findings should necessarily flow back into the learning loop and vice versa. Its important to remember that the critical part is not the network (its hardware or software) or the so-called finished product (such as for example a database or a network of databases) but the culture of interactive exercise that makes people (or the cluster of people) or communities share concerns and solve specific problems Important to them by collective wisdom, in a spirit of cooperative endeavor. And such an interactive dialogue should eventually become a way of life, with continuous value addition to the databases, and efficient networking.

Why the Knowledge Network for Disaster Mitigation?

Large tracts of our country are perennially threatened by disasters of a bewildering variety in diverse geoclimatic settings. It is, therefore, a matter of big challenge for us to evolve suitable decentralized mechanisms including a network of networks to meet the pressures of demand for prompt decision-making. Since the holistic consideration natural disaster mitigation falls outside the scope of this Chapter, suffice it would to say that establishment of a very close coupling between Disaster Knowledge Network (Disk Net), multitudes of sources of information, multi-dimensional users and the Great Learning Exercise would lie at the heart of the matter.

People learn more by experience and attempt to build on the traditional knowledge. Learning by Traditional knowledge & respect for unsung Innovations at the Grass Roots Level are therefore fundamental to creation of a vibrant knowledge network in a country like India.

In the absence of a respectful coupling between the formal institutions and the informal sector, innovations in the informal sector have often gone unsung. Instances are not wanting when people in the disaster prone areas, driven by their instinct for survival, have proved to be grass root innovators. The traditional knowledge enriched by the occasional innovations necessarily adds to the national pool of knowledge. For instance, while facing post disaster situations, people without any formal education have built masterly bridges across violent rivers and unstable valleys, using local materials and ingenious techniques of construction, not to be found in the textbooks. During the recent Orissa Cyclone, many of the survivors narrated to the author how they could save dozens of lives by quick thinking and use of unconventional methods even during the peak of cyclonic winds.

It is therefore important that the grass roots innovators are spotted out, recognized and rewarded. The stream of their innovations should meet the stream of innovations in the formal sector to propel future innovations.

For effective disaster mitigation and management, it is imperative that the Disaster Knowledge Base and innovations in S&T are effectively harnessed and exploited, especially in the areas perennially under the threat of all kinds of disasters-natural, manmade and biological.

India is currently at an uncomfortable distance from the expected level of satisfaction in so far as its current strategic planning, disaster mitigation action plan and modus operandi are concerned. It is therefore, the time to put in place a system that is more responsive, dynamic and result oriented. The mind boggling pace of development in information technology presents countless new ideas and opportunities to build that system. There is a strong case, therefore to take the fullest advantage of network made possible through Internet, Intranet and electronic Net Conferences.

By tapping the enormous S&T potential within our country, by forging partnerships between the R&D institutions, Universities, the Industry, and other players, and by effective national and international networking of knowledge on all spheres of disasters, and their mitigation and management:

Best practices could be spotlighted and publicized,

Policy Papers could be written,

Action Planning Manuals could be developed,

Public Awareness could be achieved,

Training Modules could be prepared,

Land Use and Land Management Aids could be found, and

Vulnerability against disasters could be reduced.

The initiative of establishing a disaster knowledge network is, therefore, central to the national disaster mitigation agenda.

The anatomy of a sound Knowledge Network

There is a difference between an Inventory and a Database. An inventory will merely list out what is available and what is not available. A database will take us to a fountainhead of information for which it stands designed. The concept of a database usually varies from purpose to purpose, and from perception to perception, Most databases do aim to place a reservoir of information so systematically that it can be promptly retrieved at the click of a mouse, and disseminated.

Databases when connected (networked) to one another means much, much more. However, what India really needs is a network of networks in which it is to be ensured that knowledge information is adequately filtered and authenticated, and knowledge is not lost in the haystack of information but gets intimately connected with the great learning exercise that normally goes with it. Indeed, as Francis Bacon has said, knowledge is Power, and from it we can deduce that disaster vulnerability of our country, like that of most other countries, will depend in a big way on how efficiently we are able to harmness the great tides of information and knowledge, which is currently sweeping the whole world.

The knowledge network of our dreams should not only be user friendly but it must show a deep concern for the real life problems and felt needs of all categories of users. It should respect our wealth of traditional knowledge on one hand and serve as a window of new knowledge on the other hand. It should tap the confluences of streams of useable information and knowledge, from all directions. And the flow of information will require, filtration, authentication, classification, constant updragation and perfect connectivity with the vast array of widely varying end users. It should act as a help line, and a platform for Qs and As in the cyber space, besides promoting Internet chats, which may eventually take the form of e-workshops and e-training programmes and eventually encourage wiring of training institutes.

Similarly the culture of digital transfer of information may give fillip to wiring of libraries. The day has already arrived when swapping and transfer of technologies between the interested parties through the knowledge network are ground realities.

The questions of ownership of information and the whole range of economical social and legal issues connected with handling of information will also have to be frontally addressed. When that happens, the Government will be able to pilot the disaster management affairs much better, not only because of the easy access to right information at right time, but also because of the knowledge of public mood and responses, favourable or adverse.

The leveraging of S&T capacity both in the pubic and the private sectors also ought to become an integral part of the designed operational strategy, especially in a developing country like India where resource crunch is always there to hurt and the potential of contribution from Industry still remains untapped. A Knowledge Network may greatly facilitate this task.

Knowledge Network is, by design, expected to foster, promote and sustain a dialogue not only between the haves and the have-nots but also between any combinations of groups, vertically and laterally. For example, continuous interaction is essential between the professionals and those at the grass-roots level, or between the policy makers and the professionals, or between the policy makers and the community based organizations, and so on. The National Disaster Knowledge Network is, therefore, expected to act as a 3-Dimensional organizational tool to collect, collate, organize, catalogue and disseminate (spread) information as a prelude to breeding a sound culture of durable multilateral communication and multidirectional interaction. The ultimate objective is to find timely and apt response to hazards that threaten safety.

Disk Net should contain data and information on institutions, skills, core competencies, technologies and technical services. It should cover both the public and private sectors. Bridging of the knowledge and information gaps, which can otherwise hold back the development of our country, may perhaps be the next logical step.

Institutionalization of the knowledge network will be a mature way to register the collective wisdom of the various actors, including national and state governments, local authorities, affected communities, voluntary organizations, policy makers, bureaucrats, professionals, and the people at the grass roots level. This would however essentially be a network of networks and will be driven by our appetite for finding engineering solutions to real life problems. It may be expected to provide a dynamic, adaptive framework, and serve as a powerful tool for servicing the national missions flowing out of the national vision for the 21st century.

Initial Few Steps

To begin with, the exercise of establishing a Knowledge Network is restricted to connecting Centres of Excellence and selected Knowledge based institutions. The immediate emphasis should be on assimilation and exploitation of the known knowledge, and harnessing of the most appropriate, ready on hand, cost-effective technologies; limiting the Research and Development work only to promote inter disciplinary and multi-disciplinary innovations, and for filling-in of the significant gaps in the knowledge and databases. It is for the R & D organizations and academic institutions to then take on to contributing their share of work, the merit of which should be fully recognized by the Government and people at large. A simplified model of Disaster Knowledge Network is shown in Fig 1.

Simultaneously, there should be a systematic and holistic attempt to mobilize information and knowledge of relevance to mitigate and manage disasters. The Disk Net should therefore be connected intimately with contributors of formal knowledge, sources of information and host of user agencies, Fig2.

It is also important to ensure that Disk Net effectively caters to the demands of National Centre for Calamity Management, Science and Technology Advisory Committee, Ministries and Departments of the Government, Control Room etc. and Fig.3.

What the Knowledge Network would do in the Indian context?

Disk Net is expected to provide a network of networks within India, with appropriate overseas linkages to effectively address the problem of disaster reduction on a national scale. What should be the exact form; structure and aim of such a network will have to be decided by an intense interactive dialogue within the framework of our vision for the future. Some of the straightforward tasks identified are:

Inventory and cross linking of institutions and establishments engaged in the area of natural disaster reduction, and cataloguing of their capacities. Sharing of resources, pooling of expertise, leveraging of capabilities and synergy in actions are important.

Identification and wiring of important national libraries and their cross linking with external libraries seem the best way to achieve easy access to the new knowledge, latest technologies and the related patents, and documentation. Assimilation, filtering and authentication of information and protection of intellectual property are the challenges that could possible be met through this route.

Fostering dynamic linkages between the Indian and the global databases, as also with the global Early Warning Systems should be our endeavor. So far we have failed to even recognize the enormous potential of doing so, let alone take full advantage of it. India already has bilateral and multi-lateral relationships with a large number of countries, which share our concern on disaster mitigation. For example, by connecting Disk Net with the Common wealth Disaster Knowledge Network (coordinated by India), India could find easy access to the databases of common wealth member States, Table 1.

Efforts are also necessary for facilitating high quality training programmes in the cyberspace.

Human Resource Development is essential at all levels to be achieved through well-conceived and effectively coordinated skill development programmes. Training programmes, especially those for training of trainers, expressly designed and developed to cater to the multi dimensional, multi level national needs are equally essential. This task presupposes effective networking between the providers of training, and the corresponding recipients.

Functions

In its full bloom the Disaster Knowledge Network should be able to aid and stimulate the following functions:

Assist in conduct of national projects and programmes by establishing cross linkages and appropriate alignments with other related projects, ensuring free flow of ready-on hand, high quality information, and on line interaction.

Assist State Governments, Ministries and Departments and disaster related institutions in securing appropriate partnerships by matching the felt needs with available capacities.

Leverage funding from internal and external resources.

Match specific needs with apt solutions, in public or private domains

Provide technical guidance to the stakeholders and beneficiaries at large

Serve as a national clearing house of information on disasters.

Promote partnerships between the government, public and the private sectors.

Benefits

Disk Net would, inter alia , lead to:

Enhancing the innovative ability of India to take informed timely decision, create public awareness, spread the culture of safety and deliver social goods, on the firm foundation of new knowledge.

Protection of the ownership of new knowledge;

Facilitating partnerships in pursuit of multi hazard research

Disk Net and The Great Learning Exercise

Learning is an endless process. In the context of disasters, the real lessons are learned only when every disaster is looked upon also as a great learning opportunity. No laboratory in the world, howsoever well organized and modern, can ever duplicate, not to speak of excelling the potential of live laboratories created by every full-scale disaster. Ordinarily, we learn from textbooks and classroom teachings, or by trial and error, or occasionally by accident or experiment. Learning through training programmes has been another popular way. At the end of such training programmes, every one becomes a certified expert but his knowledge is usually of pedagogic value seldom updated! The real progress by learning, however, comes, when an inquisitive mind begins to look for hard facts in Natures laboratory with a spirit of scientific inquiry. The narratives of the eyewitnesses of disasters or those who had to pass through the traumatic times because of disasters do teach us a lot besides providing very useful clues to reconstruct the whole story. More enlightened among us learn as much from their own mistakes and experience, as they do from the mistakes and experiences of others. Garbachov once said that a thorn of experience is worth a forest of instructions!

Disasters, almost in every case, do offer a new, live laboratory to test our ideas on the whole range of issues, and innovate. Every disaster provides policy makers the heaven sent opportunity to put their policies on the anvil. Professionals charged with the responsibility to counter disasters, likewise, get a good opportunity to introspect and see by hindsight where their preparedness plans and strategies have failed them and why? Scientists do get their food for thought as also fresh ideas and the rare ammunition to re-write their research proposals towards fulfillment of their insatiable quest for improved, cost effective solutions. Since dead tell no tale, those who survive (while cursing their own misfortunes), learn first hand. The learning process strengthens the weak, and arms the strong.

Tragedies nevertheless leave behind priceless lessons, which must be learned in order to deal more effectively with the future recurrences. It is now possible to capture or create the travails of such tables as they occur with all their important features captured and backed by life-like should an visual effects, thanks to multimedia and the tools of modern information technology. It is in deed a paradox that the more we learn, the more remains there to be learned. When exposed to the aftermath of a disaster, indeed the sky becomes the limit to which the learning process could go on and on, and there is always enough to learn, for every one at all levels of hierarchy, at all times.

In the ultimate analysis, the best way to learn is by closely observing Nature and the way it works and by being always vigilant of the consequences of disobeying Nature. It has rightly been said that Nature to be commanded, must be obeyed first!

To accelerate the process of learning, the first and foremost is that we must know our combined strengths, as Team India. It is time that we do a SWOT* analysis in this context. Indias strengths in Science and Technology in general and Information Technology in particular, are well know. An impressive array of knowledge-based institutions does regularly generate a wealth of data on which sound analysis could be built. Let us consider, for instance, the basic data on seismology for proper understanding of Indian earthquakes. The seismological records are available and the history of earthquakes of the region stand studied. (Fig 4). A very large number of modern seismological laboratories (Fig5) provide a continuous flow of seismic data. There is considerable amount of investment in generating strong motion seismic data, (Fig 6) Even the seismological data connected with major cities, like Delhi (Fig 7), can be a part of Knowledge Network, and so could be the data on crustal movements recorded by the network of GPS, Fig 8.

We should also endeavour to know the ground realities and the uncertain premises in which we are frequently expected to perform, almost at no notice. Since todays hot spots (hazardous location) are going to be tomorrows problem areas, we should be equipped enough to position ourselves appropriately before disasters actually strike at these hot spots. It is also important to be prepared to face unexpected, unforeseen events.

It is important that we invest time to scientifically analyze the saga of the survivors of natural disasters, and of the eyewitnesses and pursue the leads so obtained such and initiative would facilitate honest, systematic and in-depth study of the real issued involved. Sustained learning form all directions alone cane illuminate our path to be able to unfold the sequence of happenings, and explain why? Remember that the story of the Great Malpa Rock Avalanche of 18th August 1998would have never been known or documented but for the eye witness account. More recently, again it was the eye witness account which uncovered the signature of 1819 Earthquake, as also conveyed how the fountain of liquefied sand gushed out of the ground leaving behind holes in the ground, fig 9. Again thanks to the eye witness account that we know how buildings vibrated and collapsed, fig 10.

A very large number of institution in India, including the Disaster Management Institutions are contributing significantly to the overall learning process. However, we need innovation in our ideas, which can best be achieved by

Transforming existing institutions in to smart organizations

Creating centres of excellence and nurturing them,

Protecting intellectual property and rewarding innovation both in the formal and informal sectors.

Our new strategy should be to strengthen the existing institutions, and whenever necessary add pulsating institutions. A pulsating institution is one, which has the resilience to expand or shrink as required.

Today, it is possible to address all these target groups simultaneously from a single platform. The politicians, the policy makers, the professionals, the bureaucrats, the state governments, the community based organizations, the NGOs, or all of these, Wisdom also lies in targeting children especially because it is they who would eventually appear on the national scene to build a resurgent, disaster free India.

Need for Global connectivity

The world has shrunk to the size of a global village on the Information super highway. We now have an excellent opportunity to pool our experiences and accelerate the process of learning in the real time, pro bono public. One of the ways to do so would be to wire, on priority, selected institutions and establishments, which may be declared as the primary nodes of the Disk Net. These should then be connected with other institution and organizations as well as the Global databases, like Global disaster Information Network, GDIN.

Disaster Mitigation being a subject of profound global concern, hundreds of teams and taskforces are perennially busy addressing the multifaceted aspects of natural disasters in the different geo-climatic, cultural and socio-economic settings. In this age of seamless science, the continuous flow of new ideas from all direction, enable even a dwarf to see farther than a giant, provided one is willing to position oneself on the giants shoulders. The phenomenal amount of information on the internet and that in the public domain, the countless institutions created in the wake of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, and the intense pressure of the string of live problems at hand provide us with an ideal setting to launch new initiatives by pooling of resources, building on the synergies, and leveraging of capacities.

Since developing countries including India are the worst hit by natural disasters and their problems are more or less of the same genre, building joint programmes and partnerships in science and technology with friendly country seem quite useful and natural. Since most of the developing countries lack even the minimal of resources and where withal to fight natural disasters, they shall welcome the hand holding exercise as a very wise move of great potential and real mutual advantage. And indeed, wherever win-win partnerships have emerged, the cause of natural disaster reduction has reportedly flourished, without question. On the other hand, wherever developing countries have tried to stand in isolation either by accident or by the design, the progress has been rather poor. Disk Net is on be of power full way to promote partnerships.

Concluding Remarks

A national Disaster Knowledge Network (abbreviated as Disk Net) should be established as discussed above. It should adequately cover all the 35+ Disasters identified by the High Powered Committee, falling under the categories of (a) Natural Disasters (b) Man made Disaster, (c) Biological Disasters.

As a first step the HPC decided to set up a system to enable connectivity on the basis of selectivity to address concerns relating to Disaster Management in a homogenized form.

In order to achieve this, a beginning was made with Networking of the Centres of Excellence, & Knowledge based institutions.

HPC has already identified that the Natural Disaster Knowledge Network will be initiated at the Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi. The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, will coordinate the task related to man made disaster. The Indian Council of Medical Research will coordinate the biological disasters. The spotlight was on identification of the needs of various user agencies based on interactive meetings, and connecting the Knowledge Network with the great learning exercise. The attempt made on the following aspects deserves to be pursued.

Identify important areas of Research & Development in the context of mission mode projects.

Identify and critically evaluate innovations of significant value to disaster mitigation programmes.

Identify target groups, institutional stakeholders and beneficiaries of Disk Net and map their diverse demands by a systematic multi-tier consultative exercise, involving all major players and stakeholders.

Collect, collate and analyze information on current status of Multi Hazard Zonation Mapping in India, and assess their merit, shortfalls and utility. Identify sources of information and gaps, and recommend action.

Identify and provide a critique on (a) the existing databases within the country which could effectively be utilized in the Disaster Mitigation Programmes; (b) global databases, relevant in the Indian context.

Examine the ways and means of tapping potential of to identify various major nodal agencies/focal points with their complete address (including email) and assess their levels of willingness to participate in electronic debates, and readiness to contribute scientific, technical and other relevant information, data and inputs to strengthen Disk Net in a sustained manner.

Tap the potential of modern information technology, and achieve internet and networking protocols, data and file transfer, data base management, graphics, virtual reality, image processing, etc., in the context.

Continue the effort towards Networking of the selected institutions as repositories of useful and relevant information and databases;

Evolve Techniques of data mining, and analysis of multisource information;

Recall different scenarios for triggering electronic debates, etc.; Augment of the learning process in an interactive mode both in the formal and informal sectors.

Identify the most suitable institute/ organization where Disk Net could be parked, and recommend (a) smart management structure, and (b) essential hardware and software architecture.

A National Disaster Knowledge Network (abbreviated as Disk Net) should be established as outlined in this chapter.

To identify for each category of natural disasters, knowledge gaps, especially the information that are now amenable to be capture and recorded digitally to boost the learning process, and aid drafting of improved training modules.

Table 1: Scope of common wealth Disaster Knowledge Network and its direct relevance to the Indian Disaster Knowledge Network

CountryType of Hazard

AustraliaEarthquake 1;

Bahamas Hurricane 2;

BangladeshFloods, Hurricane (Cyclone & Drought 3;

BarbadosHurricane (Tropical Storms)3 ;

BotswanaDrought & Famine3;

BritainFloods, Earthquake, Lightening & Thunderstorm, Land Subsidence and Coastal Erosions3;

Brunei DarussalamEarthquake3;

CanadaFloods, Volcanoes, Hail, Ocean Dangers, Tornadoes, Tsunamis, and Landslides and Snow Avalanches4;

Cyprus

DominicaHurricane3;

GhanaDesertification3;

GrenadaVolcanoes, Earthquakes, Windstorms, floods3;

Guyana

IndiaEarthquake; Drought, Famine, Earthquake, Floods, Cyclone3;

JamaicaEarthquakes (Carlbbean); Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Hurricane3; landslides and Floods5;

KenyaDrought and Famine3;

Lesotho

Malawi

MalaysiaEarthquakes, Floods, Land Subsidence3;

Malta

MauritiusCyclones3;

Namibia

New ZealandEarthquakes, Volcanoes, Floods, Landslides, Cyclones3;

Pakistan Earthquakes, Floods, Snow Avalanche, Landslides, Desertification3

Papua New Guinea Volcanoes3;

SeychellesSaint Lucia

South AfricaEarthquakes, Drought3;

Sri LankaCyclones3;

Swaziland

TanzaniaFloods, Drought and Famine, Desertification3;

Trinidad & Tobago Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Windstorms, Floods3;

UgandaEarthquakes, Famine3;

ZambiaEarthquakes, Drought3;

ZimbabweDrougth3;

Reference Sites

S. No.Website (URL)

1. Seismic Hazard Map, Central America-Caribbean;

Http://geology.about.com/science/geology/library/bi/maps/bicentralamerica.htm

2. Hurricane response and hurricane perception in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas;

http://www.colorado.edu/harzards/litbase/docs/docs6/11603.htm

3. Country search in Hazlit database;

http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/litbase/hazlit.ht,

4. Natural Hazards National Atlas of Canada;

http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/litbase/docs/docs8/15414.htm

5. Journal of the Geological Society of Jamaica-Natural Hazards in the Caribbean;

http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/litbase/docs/docs8/15303.htm

6. Natural Hazards, Org; Information on atmospheric and geological hazards for researchers, teachers, students and concerned citizens;

http://www.naturalhazards.org/

7. Office of the State Fire Marshal (California); http://www.fire.cagov/office_stm.html

8. Earthquake information Network ; http://www.egnet.org/index.asp

9. Natural Hazard Centre at the University of Colorado;

http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/index.htm;;Hazlit-Hazards Literature Database;

http://www.colarado.edu/hazards/litbase/litindex.htm

10. Natural Hazards Disclosures Inc. consultancy for accurate and professional data reports, many useful links; http://www.naturalhazards.com/

11. Natural Hazards-disasters discussion Lists;

http;//www.mailbase.acuk/hypermail/lists-k-o/natural-hazards-disasters/

12. Us natural Hazard Statistics from office of Meteorology;

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats.htm

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