support fordisaster mitigation activities generated bytheDecade, andexpected to beexpressed through themobilization ofadditional financial resources. 37.29Withinthatcontext, thestrategy willemphasize thefOllowing: (a)Developing averycloseco-operation withthesecretariat oftheDecade andpooling available resources bydeveloping projects incommon, identifying and/orevaluating projects forpossible inclusion intheprogramme oftheDecade, executing projects during theDecade, asappropriate, andassisting infund-raising: (b)Working closely withUNDPatthefieldlevelandEormalizing arrangements initiated bytheUNDRO/UNDP TaskForcetointroduce disaster mitigation systematically intotheUNDPcountry andregional/interregional programmes: (c)Evaluating research findings inhazard assessment andmonitoring and promoting theirapplication; (d)Undertaking studies ofpastdisaster losses asaguidetotheevaluation oEfuturerisks; (e)Describing thosescenarios whicharemorelikelytoportray futurerisk andpreparing workprogrammes Eorthestep-by-step application ofdisaster mitigation techniques asafunction ofsuchscenarios: (f)Developing themosteffective procedures Eorissuing warnings, determining evacuation criteria andmanaging evacuations: (g)Elaborating methods forpost-disaster search andrescue; (h)Providing guidance onemergency shelter provision. SUBPROGRAMME 3.DISASTER INFORMATION (a)Objectives 37.30 Thelegislative authority forthesUbprogramme isGeneral Assembly resolutions 41/201, paragraph 6,and43/204, paragraph 1. 37.31Decisions onthetypeandextentoftheinternational response tosudden disasters arebasedonmanyfactors andvarybetween andwithin themaincategories ofactorsinvolved (Governments ofaffected countries, organizations oftheUnited Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, donorGovernments and non-governmental organizations). 37.32 Themoreaccurate, complete andtimelytheinformation available, thehigher thequality oftheresponse islikelytobe.Thatinformation maybehardtoget, hardtocommunicate andhardtodistribute totherightdecision makers, inthe rightplace,attherighttime.Insomeinstances theproblem iscompounded bya breakdown incommunications systems between thecapital ofthestricken country and -9- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibraryUNDROin'Geneva. Insuchcases, UNDROhastouse,amongothersources, information provided bythirdparties suchasreliable amateur radioclubs. 37.33 UNDROinGeneva, intandemwithUNDPatthefieldlevelandthrough theuse ofavailable telecommunication systems, attempts tocommunicate theavailable information, partlythrough consultations andco-ordination meetings atthe national andinternational levels, partly bytelephone, andchiefly through the UNDROSituation Reports (SITREPS), whicharealsoreproduced ontheUnitedNations International Emergency Network. Theperiodic transmissions ofsummaries from Geneva canbutpartially meettheneedsofinternational relief management ­ notably withrespect toreal-time ornearreal-time calculations anddissemination ofrelief needsasbalanced against contributions frommultiple sources acting almostsimultaneously inalimited time-frame. 37.34 Confusion, uncertainties anddelaysininternational response mayalsoarise ifinsufficient orinadequate information isavailable onnational policies and capacities aswellasonarrangements andmechanisms torequest, receive and distribute international assistance. 37.35Inordertoenable mostofthedisaster-prone countries toelaborate and implement disaster mitigation pcogrammes, theyneedinparticular tobeprovided withinformation onawiderangeofissues, including available expertise and financial resources andappropriate guidelines andstrategies forapplying existing scientific andtechnical knowledge. Information onmanyofthoseissues, however, isstillfragmentary (especially withrespect todisaster statistics) anddispersed
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the response to natural disasters, including disaster mitigation, emergency relief, and information sharing. It highlights the importance of accurate and timely information in responding to disasters, and the need for international cooperation and coordination. The text also touches on the need for disaster-prone countries to have access to information on disaster mitigation programs, available expertise and financial resources, and guidelines for applying scientific and technical knowledge.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Science and technology