AID grant no. AOT-3506-G-00-3035-00 to the United Nations Disaster Relief Organization (UNDRO) to support the `Disaster prevention and preparedness project for Ecuador and neighboring countries`

The project will investigate the economic and social impacts of common natural disasters, and develop emergency plans for the protection of the population and property. These will include education, training of population and the authorities, evaluation exercises, public information and establishment of natural hazard monitoring, warning, and alarm systems. Additionally, elaboration of hazard and risk maps will make it possible to and locate engineering works in the safest and most economic places. The principal direct beneficiary of these efforts will be the National Civil Defense Organization. Principal tasks to be completed are as follows. (1) All cycles of disaster mitigation activities will be completed for each high-probability, high-impact disaster type which is expected to occur in the future. Specifically, this includes preparedness for earthquakes in Guayaquil, flooding in Cuenca, volcanic eruptions in Pinchincha and Tungurahua, landslides in Quito, and tsunamis in Esmeraldas and Santa Elena. (2) National scientific and technical institutes will continue to participate actively in hazard evaluation, risk assessment, the preparation of risk maps, and the establishment of monitoring systems and alert procedures. (3) The project will continue to expand the activities of the Civil Defense to involve more of the Provincial Juntas in systematic preparedness planning for particular scenarios and, through them, will continue to stimulate the awareness and involvement of local community leaders and the population in general. (4) Efforts will be continued to educate the public in disaster mitigation and preparedness, through the use of public broadcasting, publications, and schools.