Promoting cooperation and coordination in international disaster management

Abstract

In a time of increasing number and severity of disasters, local, national, regional, international, continental and global cooperation and coordination are more vital than ever before. Emergency management is the lynchpin on which effective cooperation and coordination depend. By working together, a proactive plan can be formulated for future disaster management activities among the countries. Moreover, sharing of experiences and exchange of views among the experts of different countries has the potential to result in a model that may be used for disaster prevention and mitigation all over the world. Scientific and disaster mitigation organizations should seek to develop working relationships based on mutual trust and the recognition of differing characteristics, goals and needs. Regular contact among the different groups before, during, and after the disasters would greatly enhance this potential. Disaster mitigation organizations should take advantage of opportunities to work together to provide relevant training for the emergency management personnel to enhance disaster mitigation/relief efforts and the timeliness, quality and accuracy of reporting about the disasters and results of our efforts to affect them.