Based on estimates by the United Nations (UN) on the number of people affected by disasters, which corresponds to more than 200 million individuals in the last two decades, the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) approved, through the University Council (Consuni), the creation of the Interdisciplinary Center for Research on Disasters (Nuped), on December 11th. The unit aims to develop teaching, research, technological development, extension and services actions on the topic.
The creation of NUPED was an initiative by professors Ricardo Matos, from the Production engineering department, Pitágoras Binde, from the Psychology department, and professor Lutiane Almeida from the Geography department at UFRN and coordinator of Georisk. Nuped is based on the four priorities for action defined by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which are based around understanding; strengthening governance and management; investment; as well as increased preparedness for disasters and for recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
The Center will be part of the Center for Human Sciences, Letters and Arts (CCHLA). According to the director of CCHLA, Maria das Graças Soares Rodrigues, the activities have been developed for a few years and, with the approval of Consuni, the work developed was formalized. “There was recognition of work of public utility for the benefit of civil society,” he explained.
The unit's characteristic is the aggregation and mobilization of people and academic groups who are interested in or work in the area, to formulate public policies for the prevention, protection and mitigation of disasters. According to the Nuped regulations, the general objective is “to contribute to the construction of safer and more resilient communities, through teaching, research and extension, aiming to reduce disaster risks”.
From this perspective, the expected results are to provide public authorities with scientific and technical knowledge to implement policies, the training and training of people to work in the prevention and response to disasters, the encouragement of the creation of a Disaster Observatory in Brazil, among other goals.