PREEMPT (Policy-relevant assessment of economic and social effects of hydro-meteorological disasters) is a policy-directed assessment exercise, setting to assist the relevant authorities to better appreciate the risks posed by droughts and floods. It does so by collecting the data about past disasters, filling-up the knowledge gaps - in particular about indirect and intangible losses, both economic and social ones, and by improving risk assessment methods and approaches in place in four participating countries: Italy , Spain , Belgium and Germany .
PREEMPT aims to:
- Collect, harmonise and improve data about the past (2000-2010) hydro-meteorological disasters (droughts and floods) in selected river basins in Germany , Belgium , Spain and Italy ,
- Harmonise practices and methodological approaches for risk assessment, particularly the economic and social effects of disasters, therefore improve the evidence-base for disaster risk prevention,
- Describe the factors which amplify or attenuate disaster's impact (vulnerability and resilience), and which are of direct importance for practical risk management,
- Examine the effectiveness of the preventive measures in place, and show potential for improvement,
- Identify, share and disseminate best practice of disaster impact's assessment, based on the results of EC research projects.
