While the importance of scientific research for disaster reduction is universally acknowledged, the statistics show that disaster reduction is not yet a high research priority.

Of the 27,000 scientific papers produced in the past five years, less than one per cent were on issues related to disaster reduction, said Osvaldo Luiz Leal de Moraes, Director of the National Centre for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters of Brazil. 

“This shows how long is our route to diminish our gaps [in knowledge]. This is the main challenge,” he said.

Within the Americas, there are a number of priorities when it comes to investigation in the field of disaster reduction. Efforts are needed to bridge wide differences between countries in scientific investigation capacity.

According to the experts, it is necessary to share best practices and harmonize academic agendas with national plans for disaster risk reduction. Data bases containing information on natural disasters should be open and accessible to all.

“We need to raise the bar on what we are doing. There has been very good investigative work in the region, good contributions, but we are only just starting and there is a long way to go,” said Saramiento.

Date:

22 Jun 2018

Sources:

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas (UNISDR AM)

Themes:

Risk Identification & Assessment, Space & Aerial Technology, GIS & Mapping, Disaster Risk Management, Science and Technology

Regions:

Americas