This past January 15, an IRDR publication named “The Forensic Investigation of Disasters” (FORIN) was launched by  the Regional Office of Latin America and the Caribbean of the International Council of Science, in joint efforts with the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of El Salvador. The launch took place at the auditorium of the Faculty of Agronomic Science at the Universidad de El Salvador (UES).

The launch was presided by the Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Development, Aristides Valencia, the regional director of ICSU-ROLAC, Dr. Manuel Limonta, the dean of the faculty of agronomy of UES, Juan Rosa Quintanilla, and experts in the subject, Dr. Allan Lavell (co-author of FORIN) and  DRR Expert David Smith. During the launch, Minister Valencia made emphasis on the important contributions of this book on the topic of Natural Disasters & Risk Management, especially on high-risk countries like El Salvador. Dr. Limonta also made emphasis on the proven fact that “the natural disasters have increased in frequency and intensity”, which is a reality that needs an effective and quick response in which all parts of society need to contribute.

The book was written by four experts of the highest level when it comes to natural disasters and risk management. The first two authors are IRDR Scientific Committee Members: Anthony OLIVER-SMITH and Irasema ALCÁNTARA-AYALA.  This launch had a very positive reception. It is also important for the country since Minister Valencia confirmed that his ministry has plans this year to develop two issues of huge relevance for the country: The law of territory management and development, and the risk management policy.

Download: Spanish version , English version

News resource: ICSU News