sothatitisdifficult forUNDROtorespond effectively andpromptly torequests fromGovernments ortoensurethattechnical co-operation programmes canbe supported bythenecessary information. Theneedtodealwiththisproblem isone ofthemaingoalsoftheDecade. 37.36 Although thedisaster management community worldwideissmall,itishighly specialized anddispersed. Communications andthetransfer ofinformation and knowledge between itsmembers maybenon-existent, slow,uncertain andcostly. Theremayalsobeduplication ofprogrammes, ignorance inoneplaceofsuccessful initiatives inanother, inclUding alackofknowledge ofthetechnical assistance andawareness-raising activities ofUNDRO. 37.37Takingintothoseproblems andthegoalsoftheDecade, theobjective ofthe subprogramme istoenhance thecapabilities ofUNDROtoidentify, collect, analyse anddisseminate information thatistimely, accurate anduseful todisaster managers, topOlicy anddecision-makers concerned withdisaster management and,to alimited extent, tothegeneral public. Thisisexpected, morespecifically, to havethefollowing results: (a)Tofacilitate action andco-ordination between alltheactors involved in disaster relief andmitigation operations andactivities: (b)Toreducetoaminimum waste,duplication andtheincidence ofunmet needsintheinternational reliefprovided inadisaster situation: (c)Tocarryoutmeaningful technical co-operation projects andtoprovide soundadvice onrelative degrees ofdisaster proneness andmeasures tobetakenin consequence: -10- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library(d)Toallowforfruitful transfer ofknowledge andtechnology ondisaster .gement policies, techniques, practices andtechnical tools; (e)Toserveasreliable sources andpoints ofreferral onspecialized rtise, resources, equipment, institutions, national andinternational .cials, legislation andplans. Course ofactionoftheSecretariat 18Underthissubprogramme, UNDROwillprovide technical support for )rogrammes 1and2.Inaddition toworking closely withthesecretariat ofthe ~de,UNDROwillundertake thefollowing activities: (a)Introduction ofneworexisting communications technologies thatwill ridereal-time ornearreal-time identification ofneeds,contributions and lvities undertaken between multiple pointsinternationally. Inthiscontext, content, facilities andmembership oftheUnited Nations International ,gency Network willbefurther developed sothatagreater proportion ofthe istermanagement community canexchange information moreeasily andeconomically 19thatmedium: (b)Maintenance ofupdated registers ofdisaster management training titutions, national reliefofficials, disaster casehistories andstockpile entories, andestablishment ofregisters ofsuchspecializations asdonor ertise, andsearch andrescue teams: (c)Development oftheUNDROreference library andofitscapacity to twork" effectively withsimilar entities worldwide: (d)Provision ofassistance todisaster-prone developing countries in rading dataandinformation management mechanisms thatmustbeinplacepriorto isaster asanaidtonational andinternational disaster reliefefforts: (e)Publication ofinformation manuals and"UNDRO News"andproduction of eofilmsandmessages: (f)Development ofdatabases toinclude historical dataandcountry disaster .agement profiles. ,PROGRAMME 4.SPECIAL EMERGENCY PROGRAMMES Objectives 39Special emergencies bytheirnature areveryunpredictable, thusthe rislative authority forthesubprogramme stemsfromspecific resolutioris ofthe leralAssembly inresponse toeac~critical situation. Inthepastdecade, the :embly hascalled forspecial emergency programmes ofvarious complexities andin 'ourofasubstantial number ofcountries inAfrica. ,40Complex emergency situations areusually brought totheattention ofthe leralAssembly andtheSecretary-General bytheGovernment concerned, insome
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the importance of effective communication and information sharing in disaster management and relief efforts. It highlights the challenges faced by the United Nations Disaster Relief Office (UNDRO) in responding to requests from governments and ensuring that technical cooperation programs are supported by necessary information. The text also mentions the need to reduce waste, duplication, and unmet needs in international relief efforts.

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