Presented was the UNDP disaster risk index, a tool for decision makers to highlight where interventions could best be undertaken. This tool allows informed decisions to be made based on quantitative data, not human perception. The model uses 4 hazards; drought, cyclones, earthquakes and flood, and makes comparisons using mortality rates. Risk is measured using the exposed population, their vulnerability and the frequency of the hazard.
During the course of the discussion the issue of whether the index could be developed into a local level warning system for disaster was raised. It was suggested that in order for this to happen the data set would have to be far more detailed. The goal of the UNDP is to make people aware of the need for greater detailed records so that eventually the level of detail can increase.
For more information see http://gridca.grid.unep.ch/undp/