XN000022-1973-03-22 — Page 5

Thursday, March 22, 1973

H.K. PRAISED FOR HIGH STANDARDS IN DISASTER PREVENTION

U.N. Experts Make Recommendations To H.K. Government

Hong Kong, with its very high standards in disaster preparedness

programme and operations, should provide aid to Typhoon Committee member

countries in which the system is less advanced.

This can be done either by the provision of training courses in Hong

Kong or by sending experts to other countries.

This is one of the recommendations made to the Hong Kong Government

by a United Nations team of experts at the end of a week-long visit to Hong

Kong from March 15 to 22.

The team comprises representatives from the League of Red Cross

Societies, the World Meteorological Organisation and ECAFE.

The purpose of their visit is to explain to the Government and

disaster relief agencies how they can contribute to the protection of humanı

life and property, and to explore together ways and means of achieving an

integrated pre-disaster system.

The team also recommended:

the setting up of a 24-hour radio-meteorological station to cope with the large number of inquiries during emergency periods such as typhoons and heavy rainstorms.

studies of the topographical conditions, geological structure and the soil mechanics as well as of the degree of resistance to flash floods and land-slides for all new development sites before construction begins to prevent possible natural disasters.

examination