Natural disaster management links and resources

Websites AusAID resources Books

Bureau of Meteorology - Learn About Meteorology (LAM) URL:  http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/ This program was developed by the Bureau of Meteorology to raise awareness about two key aspects of meteorology: weather and climate. Issues covered include climate change, El Nino, climate zones, clouds, cyclones and satellite monitoring. The short course contains resources such as brochures, reports and glossaries in the form of web pages and PDF documents. Also available are weather charts, weather forecasts, climate data, maps, graphics, animations and details of the Bureau of Meteorology's structure and services. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) URL:  http://www.ifrc.org/ The International Federation, founded in 1919, has a presence in almost every country in the world through its national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. The Red Crescent is used in place of the Red Cross in many Islamic countries. The federation?s strength lies in its global network of national societies and the Federation Secretariat with its delegations strategically located to support Red Cross and Red Crescent activities in various regions. This network means that the federation is on the spot in the event of a crisis and can respond effectively and rapidly. ReliefWeb URL:  http://reliefweb.int/ ReliefWeb is a project of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The website provides background information including country profile, culture, disaster history, economics, geography and environment, government and politics, health, HIV-AIDS, human rights, media links, military and defence, response capacity, UN links, and weather on a number of alphabetically listed countries. In addition the site provides updates, recent natural disasters, and information on the activities of OCHA. World Health Organization (WHO) URL:  http://www.who.int/ The official home page of the World Health Organisation, this site provides links to WHO's programs, international campaigns and other health-related information.

AusAID resources Focus articles Focus, a quarterly magazine published by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), provides a variety of items about how the Australian Government's overseas aid program addresses specific global issues. You can subscribe to Focus online or order printed copies at: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pubs.cfm?Type=PubFocus Reports Australia Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development: Post-disaster recovery in Aceh and Nias (2005-2008) (2008) This report describes achievements of Australia's assistance to Aceh and Nias for the period 2005 to 2008. Economic Impact of Natural Disasters on Development in the Pacific (2006) Research report: Two volumes that describe the economic impact of disasters in the Pacific and tools to assess the costs and benefits of Disaster Risk Management measures in the Pacific.

AusAID Focus Magazine - Tsunami Special Edition 2005 URL:  http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pubout.cfm?Id=4179_1467_5910_9539_6632 A special issue of AusAID's Focus magazine dedicated to the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and the subsequent aid effort. The issue covers: recovery, map of the region, protecting the children, disaster management, and aid funding; articles on Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives as well as powerful colour photographs. Humanitarian Action Policy 2005 URL:  http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pubout.cfm?Id=1014_2542_6419_997_7245 This AusAID policy is concerned predominantly with the core element of humanitarian action: the protection of life, health, subsistence and physical security. It recognises the functional links between humanitarian activities and broader aid policies and programs and highlights the need for development programs to take into account the risks posed by disasters and conflict. Humanitarian and Emergency Assistance URL:  http://www.ausaid.gov.au/human/emergencies.cfm Information from AusAID about how it responds to emergencies and natural disasters. Topics include: Disaster Preparedness and Aid. AusAID is active from the moment it learns of a disaster to ensure that it is positioned to deliver assistance rapidly to those in need, should it be requested.

Books World Disasters Report Each year the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies produces an overview of some of the key issues around emergency assistance backed up with detailed statistics and short case studies. Where to get it: Copies can be ordered online at http://www.ifrc.org/publicat/