Reducing risk at the local level is fundamental. Civil society and NGOs have a prominent role in building preparedness capacities of local authorities and communities. A new Project on Preparedness for Environmental Emergencies at Local Level is being launched with the aim to reach a reduction in the number of losses of life and human suffering from emergencies, as well as to decrease disaster-related environmental and economic losses, through improved risk management and comprehensive preparedness measures as part of sustainable development. Local capacities for emergency preparedness will be developed and reinforced.

Activities will be carried out mainly by integrating disaster preparedness into sustainable development at local level, promoting risk management and emergency preparedness activities in specific locations, networking, creating synergies, exchanging information and best practices, consultations, providing access to specialised expertise and knowledge, initiating and implementing capacity building projects at local level, convening conferences and workshops, and carrying out training courses and simulation exercises. Pilot project will be implemented in close cooperation with relevant actors in the spirit of Environmental Emergencies Partnership launched at WSSD in 2002.

Green Cross International with UNEP Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level (APELL), OCHA Environmental Emergencies Centre(EEC), ISDR, Global Fire Monitoring Centre (GFMC), Green Cross National Organizations