Tuesday 9 May 2006

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
Bureau of Meteorology & World Meteorological Organization

Australia in one of the most vulnerable regions of the world for natural disasters

The vulnerability of the SW Pacific region to natural disasters such as drought, tropical cyclones, tsunamis, floods and bushfire will be one of the main topics discussed at an international meteorological meeting in Australia this week.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 14th Session of Regional Association V meeting will host up to 70 participants from 21 Pacific region member countries from 9-16 May in Adelaide. The senior officers of the United Nation’s agency, Secretary-General Mr Michel Jarraud and President Dr Alexander Bedritsky, will attend the meeting.

Mr Jarraud said natural disasters are a strong focus for most communities, particularly those on small islands and in coastal regions.

“Between 1992 and 2001, natural disasters affected more than two billion people and were linked to more than 600,000 deaths worldwide. Flood and other water-related disasters over the same period resulted in economic losses estimated at over US$400 billion.”

About 90 per cent of natural disasters are of meteorological, hydrological or oceanic origin. “The effects and impacts of all disasters are moderated by weather, and so meteorological agencies around the world are committed to disaster mitigation, most effectively through developing and providing state-of-the-art warning services for approaching threats,” Mr Jarraud said. “This meeting will allow regional countries to collaborate and develop mitigation and risk management plans by sharing intellectual and technical information. Members will discuss issues such as climate change, enhanced warnings systems, and sharing new meteorological technologies with developing countries.”

Australia, New Zealand, the US and the UK are currently working together to improve the communication of weather, climate, other public health and safety issues across the Pacific region, particularly to remote and isolated communities. The Radio & Internet project (RANET) employs a range of technologies involving email, radio and satellite technology.

“The Bureau of Meteorology is involved in many projects across the Pacific region, including assisting with the upgrade of satellite-based communication of warnings, such as tsunami warnings, to meteorological services and natural disaster management offices,” Bureau of Meteorology Director Dr Geoff Love said. “Through partnerships with AusAID, we also provide other meteorological services in the region with training on the use of satellite data, for example, and computer software for tropical cyclone warning systems.

“Bureau staff also assist countries such as Fiji with forecasting operations and developing services.

“At home, the Bureau has long been involved in working partnerships to mitigate the impact of natural disasters. Affiliations with state emergency services, state water and electricity agencies, local government and other Federal Government agencies have ensured communities are forewarned and prepared for extreme weather such as Tropical Cyclone Larry earlier this year.”

Invitation:
Media are invited to the opening of the Regional Association V meeting at 10am on Tuesday, May 9 at the Stamford Plaza, 150 North Terrace, Adelaide. A media conference will be held at 10:45am, with WMO President Dr Alexander Bedritsky, WMO Secretary-General Mr Michel Jarraud, Acting President of the WMO V South West Pacific Region, Dr Arona Ngari and Bureau of Meteorology Director Dr Geoff Love.

Contact:
Melissa Lyne, Bureau of Meteorology, mob: 0415 514 328 (from within Australia)

Ends