The Earthquake and Megacities Initiative

The impact of natural disasters on large urban agglomerations (megacities) will increase in the future because of (a) growing concentration of population in cities (urbanisation) and (b) increasing vulnerability and exposure in cities. Reduction of risk requires significant efforts by the local communities, the national authorities and the international organisations. The Earthquake and Megacity Initiative (EMI) has been established in 1998 as a international nonprofit organisation. One of its key activities is to facilitate partnerships between cities, between representatives of city administrations and researchers of local institutions. Five city clusters are currently working together with the aim of enhancing local capacities and help to build and sustain disaster resilient cities