985 



S-31 



X.2.2 Mitigation of Risks Arising from Natural Hazards 



$153,850 1 - a 



Reorganization of operating procedures of International Advis- 

 ory Committee on Earthquake Risk in cooperation with UNDRO; 

 multidisciplinary studies on mitigation (working meetings and 

 seminars: two on the Balkans and one each in Africa and Latin 

 America) ; study of an international mobile monitoring system of 

 volcanic activity in cooperation with UNEP, UNDRO, World Organ- 

 ization of Vulcanological Observatories, and two ICSU/IUGG 

 associations: lASPEI and lAVCEI; mitigating climatic hazards, 

 recommendations on preparing civil engineering codes and 

 improvement of low-cost housing programs in earthquake-prone 

 LDCs and preparation of seismic engineering manual; Andean 

 region seminar on methods of earthquake-resistant construction; 

 7 postgraduate fellowships; public information project in Asia; 

 study missions at request of Member States to assist with 

 preparatory and rehabilitation measures before and after 

 disasters. 



Comment ; The objectives of this subprogram are to promote studies of 

 natural hazard warning systems and to decrease human and material 

 losses resulting from natural disasters. The UNESCO International 

 Advisory Committee on Earthquake Risk is an important forum for infor- 

 mation exchange. Members are appointed by the Director-General and 

 there is presently one U.S. member. If this position is lost following 

 U.S. withdrawal, a form of compensation might be provided by seconding 

 a U.S. person to the UNESCO staff. In this area of activity, UNESCO 

 permits a degree of access to other countries and data that is not 

 easily duplicated. There is no other single alternative organization 

 that offers a comparable alternative mechanism. However, it should be 

 noted that several of the ICSU unions in the geological/geophysical/ 

 geographical areas do address problems of natural hazards and support 

 could be provided to enhance these efforts directly. Minimum program 

 support of about $80,000 should be provided through one of the alter- 

 native arrangements presented above. 



TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROGRAMS 



1. Participation program: $19,950 



2. Extra-budgetary programs: ($284,000) 



a) UNDP: Algeria — seismic microzoning study 

 seismological network, Himalayan region 



b) UNDP: ($50,000) 



