The nuclear disaster at the Chernobyl power plant, devastating floods, landslides, droughts, the erosion of tailings dams and desertification are just some of the natural and manmade disasters which have afflicted the Ukraine and neighboring countries in recent years. It is therefore entirely appropriate that the NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW), Correlation between Human Factors and the Prevention of Catastrophes, was held in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine in September 2011. This book presents the proceedings of the ARW, which analyzed accumulated European theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the field of disaster prevention, addressing a wide range of correlations between human factors and the prevention of catastrophes. Subjects covered include land-use planning and management procedures; risk assessment in emergency situations; control of polluted water; socio economic impacts from desertification; health impacts arising from nuclear facilities, flooding and tailings dam accidents; risk management systems and measures; and the protection of water resources. The presentations reflected the extensive experience of workshop participants and will be of great interest, especially to countries that are developing their legal frameworks in civil emergency planning, most particularly those who are aligning to EU directives and other international standards.
