Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Eight countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus and five in Southeast Asia are implementing early warning systems to protect against weather-related events, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Today 14 October is International Day for Disaster Reduction, and the agency is highlighting how early warning and disaster risk reduction can save many lives when extreme weather strikes. Similar projects were introduced in seven southeast European countries in 2007.
These national and regional cooperation projects are part of a concerted programme that relies on technical expertise and funding provided by the WMO, the World Bank, UNDP and the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR).
“Natural hazards are a part of life. But natural hazards only become disasters when people’s lives and livlihoods are swept away…” (Kofi Annan, World Disaster Reduction Day, 2003)
Zurich, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – A report detailing how Switzerland’s financial institutions will ensure smooth business operations in case of major disruptions to the system has been released by the Swiss National Bank (SNB). A working group has been focusing on ensuring continuity in interbank payment systems and on the provision of liquidity by the SNB, the report says. Banking authorities (the SNB and Finma, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) have been working with the banking industry (Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Postfinance, UBS) and financial infrastructure operators (Six Group) on the plan.
