Strategic Disaster Risk Management In Asia

Download Strategic Disaster Risk Management In Asia full books in PDF, epub, and Kindle. Read online Strategic Disaster Risk Management In Asia ebook anywhere anytime directly on your device. Fast Download speed and no annoying ads. We cannot guarantee that every ebooks is available!

Strategic Disaster Risk Management in Asia

Author : Huong Ha
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 813222373X
Total Pages : 226 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (322 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Strategic Disaster Risk Management in Asia by : Huong Ha

Download or read book Strategic Disaster Risk Management in Asia written by Huong Ha and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-05-29 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents strategies for managing disasters and reducing risks in Asian countries. Given the dynamic changes in the natural environment as well as the patterns of land use and management, the growing populations of the developing nations in Asia, migration patterns, and other social-cultural aspects, the impacts of disasters have increased manifold in Asian countries. Against this backdrop, the book examines disaster management issues such as disaster preparedness, post-disaster reconstruction, peace, development and corruption. The views of different groups of stakeholders are incorporated in the discussion to ensure a comprehensive analysis of and findings on the governance process, as well as best practices in pre- and post-disaster management. The book also includes chapters focusing on aspects often overlooked in the context of disaster management, such as the need to invest in public education to improve public awareness, and approaches to supporting the disabled, the vulnerable and the elderly from disaster risks. In closing, the book presents research on disaster management methods employed by different countries in the Asian region. Acknowledgement: The editors acknowledge the role of the Network of Asia Pacific Schools and Institutes of Public Administration and Governance (NAPSIPAG), which is the largest governance research network in the Asia Pacific region,in bringing out this book. NAPSIPAG has been regularly organizing international meetings of administrators, academia and non-state bodies to provide a forum to the regional scholars to deliberate with the international governance experts. It has also helped the international policy organizations to have a better understanding about the region through a local lens of Asiatic anthropology, ethnography and culture of administration.

Strategic Disaster Risk Management in Asia

Author : Huong Ha
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9788132223740
Total Pages : 226 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (237 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Strategic Disaster Risk Management in Asia by : Huong Ha

Download or read book Strategic Disaster Risk Management in Asia written by Huong Ha and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents strategies for managing disasters and reducing risks in Asian countries. Given the dynamic changes in the natural environment as well as the patterns of land use and management, the growing populations of the developing nations in Asia, migration patterns, and other social-cultural aspects, the impacts of disasters have increased manifold in Asian countries. Against this backdrop, the book examines disaster management issues such as disaster preparedness, post-disaster reconstruction, peace, development and corruption. The views of different groups of stakeholders are incorporated in the discussion to ensure a comprehensive analysis of and findings on the governance process, as well as best practices in pre- and post-disaster management. The book also includes chapters focusing on aspects often overlooked in the context of disaster management, such as the need to invest in public education to improve public awareness, and approaches to supporting the disabled, the vulnerable and the elderly from disaster risks. In closing, the book presents research on disaster management methods employed by different countries in the Asian region.

Strong, Safe, and Resilient

Author : Abhas K. Jha
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 0821398318
Total Pages : 202 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (213 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Strong, Safe, and Resilient by : Abhas K. Jha

Download or read book Strong, Safe, and Resilient written by Abhas K. Jha and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2013-04-10 with total page 202 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Disaster risk management is essential in the fight against poverty. Disasters can, in an instant, wipe out decades of hard-fought poverty reduction and development gains and push countless households into poverty. Disasters disproportionally affect the poor: Vulnerable and marginalized groups, including women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, are at particular risk. East Asia and the Pacific is the most disaster-stricken region in the world, suffering from small recurrent as well as rare high-impact events. East Asia is rapidly urbanizing, and cities are becoming disaster hotspots. Unplanned or poorly planned urbanization, which puts more people and assets in harmâ€™s way, is the single largest driver of disaster risk. There is deep uncertainty about future disaster and climate risks, challenging our ability to adapt to new developments and changing the physical and natural environment. Decision makers can make a significant difference by effectively managing disaster risk and building resilience. With education and communication, preparedness, and investments, urbanization can be channeled as a tremendous positive force for development. By decreasing disaster exposure and vulnerability through systematic assessments and communication of risks, better land-use planning, and many other practical measures, the impacts of natural hazards can be reduced significantly. At the same time, it is necessary to recognize that the risks of disasters cannot be entirely eliminated, and countries need to plan for failure by considering different scenarios, especially within complex systems and networks. Preventive investments in risk reduction and emergency preparedness can be extremely cost-effective and can greatly reduce the impact of natural hazards. Governments can prioritize actions based on informed decisions about the level of risk to reduce the risks from disasters. Public investments, such as early-warning systems, retrofitting of critical infrastructure at risk, and mainstreaming systematic risk assessments into relevant public investment planning processes, can help to reduce poverty and promote sustainable economic growth. The World Bank supports countries around the world in mainstreaming a comprehensive and integrated approach to disaster risk management into development. The World Bank provides analytical and advisory services, helps to build climate and disaster resilience into core investments across sectors, and offers unique financial solutions to better manage the contingent fiscal risks from disasters.

Public Health and Disasters

Author : Emily Ying Yang Chan
Publisher : Springer Nature
ISBN 13 : 9811509247
Total Pages : 343 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (115 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Public Health and Disasters by : Emily Ying Yang Chan

Download or read book Public Health and Disasters written by Emily Ying Yang Chan and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-02-24 with total page 343 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents the health emergency and disaster risk management (H-EDRM) research landscape, with examples from Asia. In recent years, the intersection of health and disaster risk reduction (DRR) has emerged as an important interdisciplinary field. In several landmark UN agreements adopted in 2015–2016, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris climate agreement, and the New Urban Agenda (Habitat III), health is acknowledged as an inevitable outcome and a natural goal of disaster risk reduction, and the cross-over of the two fields is essential for the successful implementation of the Sendai Framework. H-EDRM has emerged as an umbrella field that encompasses emergency and disaster medicine, DRR, humanitarian response, community health resilience, and health system resilience. However, this fragmented, nascent field has yet to be developed into a coherent discipline. Key challenges include redundant research, lack of a strategic research agenda, limited development of multisectoral and interdisciplinary approaches, deficiencies in the science–policy–practice nexus, absence of standardized terminology, and insufficient coordination among stakeholders. This book provides a timely and invaluable resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, scholars, and frontline practitioners as well as policymakers from across the component domains of H-EDRM.

Civil Society Organization and Disaster Risk Reduction

Author : Rajib Shaw
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 4431548777
Total Pages : 292 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (315 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Civil Society Organization and Disaster Risk Reduction by : Rajib Shaw

Download or read book Civil Society Organization and Disaster Risk Reduction written by Rajib Shaw and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2014-04-10 with total page 292 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Civil society organizations (CSOs) have played important roles over the years in the disaster field. Starting from the traditional approach of response and relief, the emphasis has gradually shifted to disaster risk reduction. From international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to national and local NGOs, all stakeholders have recognized the significance of and need for community-based risk reduction. In their different capacities they have endeavored to establish links to the policy options at the local and national levels. There still are many issues that remain untouched by CSOs, however, and local CSOs face special challenges in resources in terms of human, financial, and technical issues. Drawing examples from Asia, this book is structured on the roles of CSOs according to the Hyogo Framework for Action priority areas: policy making, risk assessment, education and training, underlying risk factors, and response–recovery. The primary target groups for this book are students and researchers in the fields of environment, disaster risk reduction, and climate change studies. The book provides a clear view of the current trends of research in the field and furnishes basic knowledge on these important topics. Another target group comprises practitioners and policy makers, who will be able to apply the knowledge collected here to policy and decision making.

Disaster Risk Management and Country Partnership Strategies

Author : Asian Development Bank
Publisher : Asian Development Bank
ISBN 13 : 9292610112
Total Pages : 121 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (926 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Disaster Risk Management and Country Partnership Strategies by : Asian Development Bank

Download or read book Disaster Risk Management and Country Partnership Strategies written by Asian Development Bank and published by Asian Development Bank. This book was released on 2017-11-01 with total page 121 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From 2007 to 2016, disasters triggered by natural hazards caused around 322,000 fatalities, affected 1.7 billion people, and resulted in direct physical damage totaling $487 billion in the developing member countries (DMCs) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) alone. At the same time, many development actions provide opportunities to strengthen disaster resilience. Integration of disaster risk reduction into development is one of the key principles of ADB's Operational Plan for Integrated Disaster Risk Management. This guide supports the application of this principle by providing technical advice on the integration of disaster risk considerations in ADB country partnership strategy (CPS) preparation. The CPS provides opportunities to initiate a dialogue with DMCs on disaster risk management issues, and to factor disaster risk management considerations into ADB assistance.

Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia Pacific

Author : Helen James
Publisher : Springer Nature
ISBN 13 : 9811648115
Total Pages : 391 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (116 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia Pacific by : Helen James

Download or read book Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia Pacific written by Helen James and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2022-04-19 with total page 391 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book brings together interdisciplinary perspectives from across the Asia Pacific region, covering four main sections: 1) Governance, 2) Education and Capacity, 3) Science, Technology, Risk Assessment and Communities, and 4) Recovery. The chapters address different dimensions of Sendai Framework of Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), which are linked to Sustainable Development Goals, as well as Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Risk Management in East Asia

Author : Yijia Jing
Publisher : Springer Nature
ISBN 13 : 9813345861
Total Pages : 254 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (133 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Risk Management in East Asia by : Yijia Jing

Download or read book Risk Management in East Asia written by Yijia Jing and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-02-22 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is a joint endeavour of the three partner universities to develop a book with in-depth and state-of-art analysis for the academic community of East Asia and the world. Past disasters, like the 2008 Great Sichuan Earthquake in China and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, saw good efforts of East Asian countries in helping each other. Such a trend has been further strengthened in these countries’ recent cooperation and mutual support in their fight against Covid-19 pandemic. While China, Japan, and South Korea are geographically and culturally contiguous and hence may share some characteristics in their risk management principles and practices, there may also be many significant differences due to their different socioeconomic and political systems. The commonalities and variances in East Asia risk management systems are also reflected by their recent responses to the Covid-19 challenges. While all three countries demonstrated overall success in controlling the epidemic, the measures taken by them were different. This research will be of interest to policymakers, scholars and economists.

Disaster Risk Management in Asia and the Pacific

Author : Ian Davis
Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 1317644867
Total Pages : 410 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (176 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Disaster Risk Management in Asia and the Pacific by : Ian Davis

Download or read book Disaster Risk Management in Asia and the Pacific written by Ian Davis and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2014-09-04 with total page 410 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book uses two international frameworks—the Millennium Development Goals and the Hyogo Framework for Action, a program focused on disaster risk management—to study the key trends in the region in terms of disaster incidence, sources of vulnerability and social and economic challenges. As both frameworks draw to a close, international debate is taking place during the period 2012–2015 on their current progress. This book seeks to help readers understand the process better. The chapters are written by eight independent internationally based authors. Collectively, they have extensive regional experience in the areas of disaster risk management and climate change as well as working in academia, research, consultancy, the UN and international agencies, government and the NGO sector. The analysis presented benefits from their varied backgrounds in medicine, architecture, economics, engineering, planning, social studies, development studies and political science. Throughout the book, relevant examples, drawn from the region, are included to ‘earth’ the project in the harsh realities of risk and disaster impact.

Natural Disaster Management in the Asia-Pacific

Author : Caroline Brassard
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 4431551573
Total Pages : 203 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (315 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Natural Disaster Management in the Asia-Pacific by : Caroline Brassard

Download or read book Natural Disaster Management in the Asia-Pacific written by Caroline Brassard and published by Springer. This book was released on 2014-11-18 with total page 203 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Asia-Pacific region is one of the most vulnerable to a variety of natural and manmade hazards. This edited book productively brings together scholars and senior public officials having direct experience in dealing with or researching on recent major natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific. The chapters focus on disaster preparedness and management, including pre-event planning and mitigation, crisis leadership and emergency response, and disaster recovery. Specific events discussed in this book include a broad spectrum of disasters such as tropical storms and typhoons in the Philippines; earthquakes in China; tsunamis in Indonesia, Japan, and Maldives; and bushfires in Australia. The book aims to generate discussions about improved risk reduction strategies throughout the region. It seeks to provide a comparative perspective across countries to draw lessons from three perspectives: public policy, humanitarian systems, and community engagement.

Science and Technology in Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia

Author : Rajib Shaw
Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0128127120
Total Pages : 524 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (281 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Science and Technology in Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia by : Rajib Shaw

Download or read book Science and Technology in Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia written by Rajib Shaw and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2017-10-13 with total page 524 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Science and Technology in Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia: Potentials and Challenges provides both a local and global perspective on how to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Topics demonstrate the advancement of scientific research as it applies to early warning systems, including identifying risk and the strengthening of infrastructure for different types of hazards. Through different major disasters, it has become evident that there must be a balance between hard and soft technology and physical, process and social solutions. This book demonstrates how this has been successfully implemented in Asia, and how these applications can apply on a global basis. Covers new research on the role of science in Disaster Risk Reduction and lessons learned when research has been applied Utilizes case studies to outline the broader lessons learned Focuses on the Sendai Framework, which was adopted in the Third UN World Conference in 2015

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SOUTH ASIA

Author : PARDEEP SAHNI
Publisher : PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
ISBN 13 : 8120322002
Total Pages : 388 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (23 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SOUTH ASIA by : PARDEEP SAHNI

Download or read book DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN SOUTH ASIA written by PARDEEP SAHNI and published by PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.. This book was released on 2003-01-01 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: South Asia represents a region highly prone to natural disasters. Disasters not only disrupt the normal life of the affected communities and the countries but also impede developmental efforts. By and large, the approach of the major stakeholders has been 'reactive' rather than 'proactive'. There is indeed, a dire need for concerted and well-planned efforts to achieve risk reduction through risk identification, and sharing and transfer of information. This edited volume explores how the risk of disasters can be reduced by structural and non-structural measures with detailed, comprehensive and participatory strategies. Twenty-seven contributors, both academicians and practitioners, investigate the challenges that the region faces and how changes can be effected at the community, society, government and non-government levels to foster a culture of preparedness. The overall focus is on risk reduction through prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. Some case studies from different settings dealing with various disasters have also been included. Since disaster risk reduction is an area of great concern and there is absolute dearth of literature addressing this issue with regard to South Asia, this volume will be of immense utility and interest to government departments, NGOs, insurance companies, universities, training institutions, professional associates, media, general public, and students pursuing courses in disaster management.

Urban Disasters and Resilience in Asia

Author : Rajib Shaw
Publisher : Butterworth-Heinemann
ISBN 13 : 0128023775
Total Pages : 368 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (28 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Urban Disasters and Resilience in Asia by : Rajib Shaw

Download or read book Urban Disasters and Resilience in Asia written by Rajib Shaw and published by Butterworth-Heinemann. This book was released on 2016-01-06 with total page 368 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Urban Disasters and Resilience in Asia presents the latest information on the intensity and frequency of disasters. Specifically, the fact that, in urban areas, more than 50% of the world's population is living on just 2% of the land surface, with most of these cities located in Asia and developing countries that have high vulnerability and intensification. The book offers an in-depth and multidisciplinary approach to reducing the impact of disasters by examining specific evidence from events in these areas that can be used to develop best practices and increase urban resilience worldwide. As urban resilience is largely a function of resilient and resourceful citizens, building cities which are more resilient internally and externally can lead to more productive economic returns. In an era of rapid urbanization and increasing disaster risks and vulnerabilities in Asian cities, Urban Disasters and Resilience in Asia is an invaluable tool for policy makers, researchers, and practitioners working in both public and private sectors. Explores a broad range of aspects of disaster and urban resiliency, including environmental, economic, architectural, and engineering factors Bridges the gap between urban resilience and rural areas and community building Provides evidence-based data that can lead to improved disaster resiliency in urban Asia Focuses on Asian cities, some of the most densely populated areas on the planet, where disasters are particularly devastating

Resilience and Recovery in Asian Disasters

Author : Daniel P. Aldrich
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 4431550224
Total Pages : 359 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (315 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Resilience and Recovery in Asian Disasters by : Daniel P. Aldrich

Download or read book Resilience and Recovery in Asian Disasters written by Daniel P. Aldrich and published by Springer. This book was released on 2014-10-06 with total page 359 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book establishes a new, holistic framework for disaster recovery and mitigation, providing a multidisciplinary perspective on the field of risk management strategies and societal and communal resilience. Going beyond narrow approaches that are all too prevalent in the field, this work builds on an optimum combination of community-level networks, private market mechanisms and state-based assistance strategies. Its chapters describe best practices in the field and elucidate cutting-edge research on recovery, highlighting the interaction between government, industry and civil society. The book uses new data from a number of recent disasters across southeast and east Asia to understand the interactions among residents, the state, and catastrophe, drawing on events in Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, China and Thailand. Grounded in theories of risk mitigation and empirical research, the book provides practical guidance for decision makers along with future research directions for scholars. The Asian region is highly prone to natural disasters which devastate large and mostly poor populations. This book deals with some of the root issues underlying the continued vulnerability of these societies to catastrophic shocks. The book is unusual in that it comprehensively covers resilience and fragilities from community levels to market mechanisms and governance and it analyses these issues in very different economic and structural settings. Recommended for development and disaster risk managers—without question. Professor Debarati Guha-Sapir Director, Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED); Professor, University of Louvain, Research Institute Health and Society.

Land and Disaster Management Strategies in Asia

Author : Huong Ha
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 8132219767
Total Pages : 264 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (322 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Land and Disaster Management Strategies in Asia by : Huong Ha

Download or read book Land and Disaster Management Strategies in Asia written by Huong Ha and published by Springer. This book was released on 2014-09-01 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book focuses on land and disaster governance in Asian countries. The Asian region has become increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters, including floods, cyclones, storms, earthquakes, drought, typhoons and tsunamis. Further, as a result of unsustainable changes being made in patterns of land use, catchment and coastal zones, increasing population density, migration patterns, and the spread of consumer culture across countries, the impact of natural disasters has increased manifold. The book addresses two major concerns in this field. Firstly, it discusses topics intended to raise awareness among all stakeholders of the critical aspects of disaster management in the context of Asia. Secondly, it calls upon policymakers, researchers, academics, practitioners, private enterprises and civil society organizations, as well as all those who have been, are and will be affected by natural disasters to search for innovative and novel approaches to reducing risk and managing disasters.

Climate-Induced Disasters in the Asia-Pacific Region

Author : Andreas Neef
Publisher : Emerald Group Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1839099860
Total Pages : 280 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (39 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Climate-Induced Disasters in the Asia-Pacific Region by : Andreas Neef

Download or read book Climate-Induced Disasters in the Asia-Pacific Region written by Andreas Neef and published by Emerald Group Publishing. This book was released on 2020-11-09 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this volume, contributors look at response, recovery and adaptation to climate-induced disasters, in Asia-Pacific - the world's most disaster-prone region. Chapters examine case studies from Cambodia, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Samoa.

Disaster Management and Private Sectors

Author : Takako Izumi
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 4431554149
Total Pages : 342 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (315 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Book Synopsis Disaster Management and Private Sectors by : Takako Izumi

Download or read book Disaster Management and Private Sectors written by Takako Izumi and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-02-13 with total page 342 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book draws upon case studies and practices of different types of DRR involvement by the private sector from all over the world. The book comprises two parts, Part I: Overview and Regional Cases; and Part II: Country Cases. The regional cases include those from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Central America, and the country cases include ones from India, Japan, the United States, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Nepal. DRR at the international level is discussed from the perspective of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). The perspective of the Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is presented in the discussion of DRR at the societal level. The private sector is becoming more active in disaster management and plays an important role in distributing relief items and sending search and rescue teams in the response phase. However, once the response stage is over, private sector involvement tends to fade. While a number of disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives by the private sector are documented, they remain limited. The private sector can contribute enormously to DRR by developing business continuity plans, innovating technology for early warning systems, and providing and sharing technical knowledge, skills, and resources in the field of disaster preparedness. To strengthen DRR capacity, it is crucial to involve the private sector as major actors in DRR. The primary target groups for this book are students and researchers in the fields of disaster management and DRR studies. Another target group comprises practitioners and policy makers, who will be able to apply the collective knowledge from this work to policy and decision making. The book provides an overview of the current research trends and furnishes basic knowledge on this important topic.