Recent earthquakes worldwide have highlighted the importance of good disaster planning. Adequate risk assessment and risk reduction strategies, and improved response and reconstruction work have all benefited from the documentation of past disasters. This practical manual prepared by staff members from Practical Action s regional office in Lima offers an up-to-date resource covering both methodological and technical aspects of disaster mitigation.Rooted in the experiences of the authors and their colleagues of disaster response over the last 20 years, and incorporating an introduction that puts this work in the context of disaster response and mitigation work worldwide, this unique manual provides much needed practical assistance for all those involved in emergency/disaster response planning."