text: resolutions 41/201, paragraphs 3and5;43/204, paragraph 2:and44/236, annex, paragraphs 5,9and14;andEconomic andSocial Council resolution 1988/51, paragraphs 3and4. 37.24Disaster mitigation isalongandpainstaking process. Itssuccess is difficult toassessintermsofindicators, forsuccessful mitigation isideally a succession ofnon-events, thatis,theabsence ofdamageorsocio-economic disruption. -7- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library37.25 Inmostdisaster-prone developing countries thereisalackofdisaster mitigation infrastructure; thereisashortage oftrained personnel at administrative andtechnical levels andofthenecessary resources andexpertise to promote mitigation atallstages ofpre-investment andinvestment activities in disaster-prone areas. Also,itisdifficult toobtain financing fromthedonor community fordisaster mitigation programmes; suchprogrammes donotappeal as strongly tothedonors asdorequests thattheyreceive forimmediate assistance in thewakeofadisaster. Without adequate preparedness andprevention measures, however, disasters willcontinue tooccurandtheirimpactwillincrease in severity. 37.26 Within theoverall objective andgoalsoftheDecade contained inthe International Framework ofAction, theobjective ofthesubprogramme istoassist andadvise concerned Governments, attheirrequest, onthepolicies andmeasures thatcanbetakeninadvance ofadisaster inordertoreduceitsimpact. In providing itsassistance andadvice, UNDROwillemphasize, inparticular, the development andapplication ofthefollowing policies andmeasures: (a)Identification ofprevailing hazards andassessment oftheirfrequency of occurrence fordifferent levelsofmagnitude; (b)Estimation ofrisk,thatis,thehumanandmaterial lossesthatcanbe expected fromgivendisaster scenarios, andtheformulation ofstrategies to include thoserisksortoprovide earlywarning oftheirlikely occurrence; (c)Formulation, andimplementation, incertain cases, ofcomprehensive disaster mitigation policies andprogrammes; (d)Creation ofgovernmental andinstitutional structures responsible for disaster mitigation andmanagement; (e)Exchange ofinformation anddissemination ofknowledge attheregional or subregional level; (f)Training ofthoseresponsible forthetechnical andorganizational aspects ofdisaster mitigation. 37.27 Thosepolicies andmeasures aresetoutintheirlogical sequence. If countries haveadvanced incertain areas, assistance willbeprovided infilling thegapsidentified inothers. Furthermore, inviewofthemagnitUde ofthe problems, while someofthepolicies andmeasures canbeimplemented during the medium-term, otherswillneedalonger period. (b)Course ofaction oftheSecretariat 37.28Disaster mitigation techniques haveinrecentyearsbecomebetter defined, morecomprehensive, andtherefore morewidely applicable. Asithasdoneinthe past, UNDROwillcontinue tocontribute tothefurther development andrefinement ofthosetechniques andtodiffuse themwidely bypreparing compendia andmanuals, organizing training seminars andcarrying outtechnical co-operation projects at thenational andregional levels. Suchtechnical co-operation activities will include theprovision oftechnical expertise, theexchange ofexperience between disaster-prone developing countries, especially within thesameregion, the provision oftraining andgranting offellowships. Financial resources forsuch -8- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Libraryactivities willbesought fromUNDP,regional development agen.cies andinterested donorcountries andorganizations. Incarrying outtheactivities underits mandate, aswellasthosewhichwillbecarried outincloseassociation withthe secretariat oftheDecade, UNDROwilltakefullyintoaccount thenewinterest and
analysis: The text appears to be focused on disaster mitigation and management, which is a critical aspect of humanitarian aid and relief. The text also touches on the importance of preparedness and prevention measures, which are essential for sustainable development. Given the emphasis on disaster risk reduction and management, it is likely that the text falls under the category of humanitarian aid and relief.