Geohazards International

Countries in asia are exposed to a multitude of hazards, including earthquake, landslides, cyclones, and effects of climate change. Our asia program primarily includes work in bhutan, nepal, india, and the philippines. In the himalayan region (bhutan, nepal, and northern india) we have focused on programs to reduce risk from earthquakes and landslides, with a focus on schools, health facilities, and water infrastructure, as these are particularly critical to communities after a disaster. In southern india and the philippines, we are focusing on reducing climate-related risks, including rain-induced landslides, as well as coastal hazards. We work closely with local leaders and communities in all of our efforts throughout asia.

Our global program includes an ongoing study of how earthquake, landslide, and volcano scenarios have been used and how they can be improved to better motivate disaster mitigation action. This program has included global literature review on scenarios, as well as more in-depth studies of scenarios used in ecuador, new zealand, nepal, and the united states. This program is also investigating how climate change is affecting impacts from geological hazards.

Other programs include efforts to raise awareness of natural hazard risk in low- and middle-income countries. The dissemination of information about disaster risk and how ghi seeks to reduce that risk occurs through newsletters, a website, social media, workshops, meetings, seminars, speaking engagements, and events. Resources of time and energy are also spent collaborating with other organizations that address relevant issues in order to strengthen the effectiveness of ghi.other program expenses also include our projects in africa, which have focused on understanding the disaster risk to school infrastructure, as well as conducting building regulatory capacity assessments, particularly as it relates to disaster resilience.