The Humanitarian Policy Group has published the report: “El Salvador, a case study of a state affected by humanitarian action”. This document published in March 2008 examines how the Salvadoran State took on responsibility for dealing with the humanitarian needs following three natural disasters which hit the country between 2001 and 2005 and how the State response has evolved since 2005. The analysis covers the action of humanitarian agencies and donors and their contribution to prevention and preparedness programmes. The document is available in English at the following address: http://www.odi.org.uk/hpg/papers/hpgwp-states-elsalvador.pdf

The regional office of the World Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean presented the “E-Atlas of disaster risks for the Eastern Mediterranean region: Volume 1. Exposure to natural hazards”. The tool uses geographical information systems and various disaster models to support decision-makers in reducing health risks amongst populations vulnerable to health emergencies or crises.

This tool, which is available in English, can be used to predict the magnitude of a disaster on a specific population, assess the areas where damage can be more significant and anticipate specific resources which will be needed.

Volume 1 of the E-Atlas contains a series of maps and documents which explain the methodology and provide data which illustrate the distribution of natural hazards (earthquakes, floods, heat waves, winds and landslides) which take place in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as calculating the size of the population which is exposed to such hazards.

This and other volumes which are still being developed can be used to improve preparedness in the health sector, as well as response, and ensure more accurate baseline information. They also assist in the identification, planning and prioritization of areas where activities are to be carried out which help to mitigate the effects of natural hazards and provide a point of departure for post emergency and early recovery activities. To order a copy of the DVD, write to e-atlas@emro.who.int

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) has made available the book entitled “Management of Disaster Risk Today. Global Contexts, Local Tools”. The publication, available on CD, internet and in print, makes reference to the Hyogo Framework for Action, its objectives, priorities and principles for risk reduction, the natural and social factors which have become threats to human and territorial security, climate change and its implications in Latin America, the Millennium Development Goals, the influence of risk management in the planning of development, of land distribution, communication and public information and so forth. The book (2008) is part of a series of cooperation activities in the area of local risk management and reduction of vulnerability which the International Development Research Centre, Canada (IDRC) and the UN/ISDR in the region are developing. The on-line version is available in Spanish at the following address: http://www.eird.org/gestion-del-riesgo/index.html

The document drawn up by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies puts forward a guide for organizing emergency operations centres within the perspective of a Management and Control of Emergency Operations (MACEO) system, which is made up of different types of tools forming a series of functional relations, methods and procedures, of an inter-institutional, inter-agency and territorial nature.

The manual is intended for technicians working in institutions the aim of which is to organize emergency operations centres at any level and which require a straightforward, coherent methodology which ensures the necessary results.

To access this document visit http://www.cruzroja.org/desastres/redcamp/crepd/manuOyF.htm