Disasters
continue to occur more frequently and with more devastating effects in rich and
poor countries. Smaller-scale disasters, which are often cyclical and include
droughts, floods and extreme temperatures, are also increasing. Small but
recurrent disasters often cause more cumulative negative effects than larger
disasters, but they receive less international attention and fewer resources.
Disasters are not only increasing in number; they are becoming more
multifaceted. The effects of climate change, environmental degradation,
economic inequality, population growth, political unrest and migration have
weakened community resilience in many countries.
Jordan’s natural hazards profile is characterized by seismic activity, flash
flooding, drought and desertification. In view of the range of natural hazards,
high vulnerability and low coping capacities of the population, Jordan requires
an integrated approach to disaster risk management and reduction. The
vulnerability of the Jordanian society and economy to natural hazards and
climate change induced disasters owe to the limited proactive approach to
disaster prevention and mitigation, insufficient institutional capacities at
the national and local levels, lack of trained human resources, lack of
awareness amongst senior officials and communities about disaster preparedness,
and unsatisfactory implementation of existing policies. Jordan as many other
countries, still concentrate their efforts mainly on the response stage of
disasters, this could be ascribed to the great involvement of the military and
para-military organizations in managing the disaster. The new paradigm of the
disaster risk management is moving from reactive to proactive approach i.e.
deal with equal efforts before (monitoring, mitigation, prevention and
reduction), during (response) and after (rehabilitation and evaluation).
Selected papers presented at this conference will be
considered for publication in international peer-reviewed journals.
Al al-Bayt University will organize this
conference in cooperation .
