in each principal area and, where there are competing claims, establish appropriate priorities; -designate the following as priority areas for research: ment theories, policies and methods of comprehensive environmental develop • water supply, sewage and waste disposal, particularly in semi-tropical and tropical regions—(principal responsible agency: WHO) • problems of transitional settlements including socio-economic factors of rural-urban migrations—(principal responsible bodies: ESA (CHBP), WHO, ILO) 13 environmental socio-economic indicators to measure the condition of human settlements and to identify, over time, trends in their development • alternative methods of getting urban transportation needs-(principal responsible bodies: ESA (Resources and Transport Division) and CHBP) pyscho-social stresses in urban conglomerates (principal responsible agency: WHO) Response: 140. See additional comments in chapter 1. Advisory 141. It is further recommended that Governments consider co-operative arrangements to undertake the necessary research whenever the above problem areas have a specific regional impact. In such cases, provision should be made for the exchange of information and research findings with countries of other geographical regions sharing similar problems. (v) Information exchange 142. The exchange of information involves a variety of techniques including the use of existing centres, seminars, exchange of personnel, etc.14 143. Although most research is likely to be carried out nationally, much of it will have international implications. The exchange of information covering the results of research and experimentation constitutes one of the most important means of assisting countries in the planning and management of their human settlements. Experience has shown that information exchange can best be carried out through people not papers. 144. Accordingly, it is recommended that: governments take steps to arrange for the exchange of visits by those who are conducting research in the public or private institutions of their countries; governments and the Secretary-General ensure that the exchange of information concerning past and on-going research, experimentation and project implementation covering all aspects of human settlements, which is conducted by the United Nations system or by public or private entities including academic institutions, be accelerated. Response: 141–144. Fewer transoceanic flights, and more hard thinking and careful experimentation, would seem to be in order. 13 This research area is covered in subject area IV, U.N. Report, "Educational, Informational, Social, and Cultural Aspects of Environmental Issues" (A/CONF.48/9). 14 The overall subject of information exchange is covered in greater detail in subject area IV (A/CONF.48/9). (vi) Training 145. The shortage of trained personnel is one of the major constraints on the ability of the international community to implement the other recommendations contained in this paper. There is a world-wide scarcity of people capable of providing training in the skills needed to deal with interdisciplinary systems of interacting activities. Although such training is urgently required, few existing institutions are in a position to give it. Response: 145. See additional comments in chapter 1. Advisory Committee Recommendation B.2. 146. It is recommended that: Governments and the Secretary-General give training of "integrators". 147. Shortages of skilled personnel also exist in particular sectors of human settlements. Training in these areas could be provided by international, regional or national training institutions. 148. To this end, it is recommended that: Governments and the Secretary-General ensure that the institutions concerned be strengthened and that special training activities be established for the benefit of the less-industrialized countries, covering the following: intermediate and auxiliary personnel for national public services who, in turn, would be in a position to train others for similar tasks-(principal responsible bodies: WHO, ESA (CHBP), UNIDO, FAO) specialists in environmental planning and in rural development—(principal responsible bodies: ESA (CHBP), FAO) community developers for self-help programmes for low-income groups— (principal responsible body: ESA (CHBP)) • specialists in working environments-(principle responsible bodies: ILO, ESA (CHBP), WHO) planners and organizers of mass transport systems and services with special reference to environmental development-(principal responsible body : ESA-Resources and Transport Division). 149. It is further recommended that: Regional institutions take stock of the requirements of their regions for various environmental skills and of the facilities available to meet these requirements in order to facilitate the provision of appropriate training within regions. Response: 146–149. The Advisory Committee concurs. (vii) Programme to reduce losses from natural disasters 150. In contrast to the other subjects covered in this paper, natural disasters pose the environmental problem of protecting man from nature. In view of the importance and complexity of the subject and of its national, regional and global significance, a paper embodying a programme to reduce losses from natural disasters is annexed. Response: 150. The Advisory Committee concurs. (viii) Water supply 151. The shortages of adequate supplies of safe water, and of sanitary and sewer services from which most human settlements suffer, render action imperative in this area. 152. It is recommended that WHO increase its efforts to support governments in planning for improving water supply and sewerage services through its community water supply programme. 153. It is recommended that development assistance agencies give higher priority to supporting governments in the financing and implementation of water supply and sewerage services as part of the objectives of the United Nations Second Development Decade. Response: 152–153. The Advisory Committee concurs. (ix) Population 154. It is recommend that the Secretary-General ensure that during the preparations for the 1974 World Population Conference, special attention be given to population concerns as they relate to the environment and, more particularly, to the environment of human settlements. Response: 154 The Advisory Committee concurs. ANNEX I TO THE U.N. SECRETARIAT RECOMMENDATIONS The Committee concurs on the following U.N. proposals on natural disasters. The proposals themselves follow. 1. Following a comprehensive report of the Secretary-General on assistance in cases of natural disaster1 and as a result of Economic and Social Council resolution 1612 (LI) of 29 July 1971 and of General Assembly resolution 2816 (XXVI), the Secretary-General has been requested to appoint a Disaster Relief Coordinator heading a small permanent office in the United Nations. Accordingly, the recommendations which appear below embrace, in addition to proposals for national action, a broad framework which could guide the activities of the Disaster Relief Coordinator. No mention has been made, however, of the existing international machinery and co-operation during and after the occurrence of natural disasters which should in any case be strengthened. 1 E/4994. 2. More specifically, these recommendations cover the following essential elements of a plan of action designed to reduce losses from natural disasters: (a) the intensive application of science and technology to the control and mitigation of natural disasters; (b) pre-disaster planning and preparedness. A. Control and mitigation 3. The control and mitigation of natural disasters require the establishment of machinery for prediction, communication and prevention. (i) Prediction and communication (a) Recommendation for national action 4. It is recommended that the attention of governments concerned be drawn to the need for action to improve the ability to determine where disasters are likely to occur and to communicate the relevant information to those concerned. More specifically: Improved knowledge of tectonics, seismicity and the earthquake mechanism could provide a scientific basis for predicting the time and location of single large earthquakes; Expanded use of mathematical modelling and numerical analysis could improve knowledge of tsunami (seismic tidal wave) build-up; A broad assessment is needed of the world flood problem. The primary need, especially in developing countries, is to define the regions which are most prone to flooding. Continued progress is required in developing models and techniques for gathering hydrological data; Improvements are needed in the ability to predict the occurrence of storms, typhoons and cyclones; Improvements are also needed in the ability to predict secondary disasters, such as major outbreaks of disease resulting from natural disasters. (b) Recommendation for international action 5. It is recommended that the Secretary-General in consultation with the appropriate bodies of the UN system : Study the desirability and the feasibility to implement an international disaster warning system which would utilize the most appropriate combinations of such networks as: a global surface observation network • a global river and flood measurement network ⚫ a global radar observation network a global seismic and tide measurement network ⚫ a global satellite observation network. ensure that an international warning system for natural disasters, if implemented, is related, wherever possible, to systems designed to monitor and/or predict man-made hazards or disasters and, as appropriate, secondary disasters; arrange, in the context of the eventual establishment of an international warning system, for the closest collaboration and co-operation between the competent agencies of the United Nations system, including: • the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) WMO's World Weather Watch Programme and its International Maritime forecasting and storm warning system, together with the artificial earth satellite, already provide the means for monitoring weather and climate on a truly global scale. WMO should take further action relating to river and flood measurement and forecasting, and should further develop its tropical cyclones project for the protection of populations exposed to cyclone risks. the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) UNESCO has stimulated the creation of international and regional seismological centres; further centres are needed. the World Health Organization (WHO) WHO should take further action where major disease outbreaks resulting from disasters could arise. Provide for co-operation and collaboration between the United Nations system and international and regional non-governmental organizations such as: the League of Red Cross Societies the International Tsunami Warning System Establish an international disaster communications system. However accurate and effective warning systems may be, the warning has still to be communicated to those concerned. To this end, the Office of Disaster Relief should carry out the following activities: • obtain information on, document, and evaluate all major natural disaster communications networks, including those operated by: governments • the United Nations system • the Red Cross Societies commercial organizations amateurs define the requirements of distributing warning alerts for each specific type of natural disaster, including warnings for impending : ⚫ floods tsunamis earthquakes • hurricanes volcanic eruptions • define the requirements for rapid international communications and exchanges of critical, secialized information between offices responsible for preparing and issuing natural hazards warnings. 6. It is further recommended that UNDP, which has already assisted many of the projects outlined earlier, give priority to responding within country programmes to requests of Governments for natural disaster research centres and warning systems. (ii) Prevention 7. Many of the worst effects of natural disasters can be mitigated if appropriate preventive measures are taken. (a) Recommendations for national action |