[Grosseschnauzer]

One of the reasons why I wanted to step back from regional governance was to work on a planned proposal for a UN resolution that was originally raised in the discussions and debates on the Tsunami Warning System resolution and the Natural Disaster Act resolution early last year.

This third concept dealt with having building standards for emergency preparedness/response buildings, which could serve as a model for other public and private buildings. During the role play on this forum of failed nations (American Federalist. Flankia, etc.) it also became apparent that other structures, such as temporary housing and other structures would also need a model standard in order to be effective (standardized electrical, gas, water, sewer, telephone and other utilities) as well as transportation. The complicating factor is of course, that different nations or local areas would have different types of combinations of natural disasters that they have to be prepared for (it would be rare that an area that frequently has tropical cyclones would have to prepare for blizzards, as a for instance.)

The concept that this proposal would bring forward is the idea of standardized model building standards that would apply to emergency disaster preparedness/response facilities but which could be voluntarily applying to other public and privately owned buildings.

This would have the effect of reducing costs of response and recovery. If structures are properky built, then the likelihood of damage is reduced, and the facilities would be more capable of immediate utilization in the response and recovery phase following a natural disaster. With such structures in place, then it will be easier to get aid to those who need it in the immeadiate aftermath of a disaster.

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, etc.?

[Eisophca]

I wouldn't call them "standards" or define them as such. That would be a little like Fonzoland's interpretation or Remittances and Tiny Deposits: asking nations (or, in RTD's case, companies) to do something that would be in their best interest anyway.

I would focus more on having an international organization, the United Nations Subcommittee for Technologically Advanced Building to Lessen Emergencies, which would help nations develop better buildings and infrastructure, and provide models for emergency housing.

[Grosseschnauzer]

I wanted to note this news article on Yahoo! this morning where former US President Bill Clinton, who is the RL UN's special tsunami envoy, is quoted as calling for a international early warning system for all forms of hazards that may become natural disasters....specially citing earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis.

In other words, it is a called for the RL versions of for what the NSUN has adopted as the Tsunami Warning System and the Natural Disaster Act resolutions.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060327/pl_nm/...ters_clinton_dc

[Grosseschnauzer]

The following reports a decision by the government of Pakistab to relocate an entire city of 3 million people that was destroyed in an earthquake last year; the city has developed over a major fault line, and rebuilding the city in a new location wuth quake-proof buildings was the option that would prevent loss of life and damage more than rebuilding at the existing city.
BBC News article