As from 1991, seminars and workshops on "the prevention of disasters and the management of assistance programmes in case of disasters" have been held by the Department of Social Action and Family. I have been held impressed by the common desire of the participants to provide the institution with the best tools to insure the efficiency of the interventions in periods of calamity.

It is therefore with pleasure that I have undertaken the conception and publication of this aide-mémoire in july 1994.

This precious document is a compilation of experiences made in Burkina Faso, in different countries in the sub-region as well as by inter-state and international bodies specialised in the management of disasters.

Doubtless then, our aide-mémoire will constitute a guide for intervention procedures at two different levels : national and local
? At the national level, it defines the structural and institutional framework within which can be undertaken actions against natural calamities that have become the main blocking factors in terms of development as well as favorable factors in the expansion of poverty.
? At the sectorial and local levels, it defines the practical planning methods as well as methods for organizing emergency assistance in case of disaster.
I am very pleased to introduce here these "directions for use" to the different actors concerned with the organization and the start up of the struggle against disasters.
This document comes out of different workshops and seminars held on the training in the management of disasters. Like all instructions for use, it needs a constant up dating in accordance with the evolution of the environment in order to improve its contents for the users.

The core of the document, it should be remembered, is the understanding of disasters and their manifestations, in Burkina Faso, and, above all, the way in which actions of prevention, stuggle and rehabilitation must be conducted and coordinated.

I must say here that the production of this document would not have been possible without : on the one hand, the technical contribution of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) within the framework of the seminars and workshops; on the other hand, the generosity of the Government that has taken care of the financing of the continuous education programme, object of the seminars and workshops above mentioned.
I hope this aide-mémoire will be interesting and useful to all who, on a daily basis or occasionally, are or can be faced with disasters.

Bana OUANDAOGO
Minister of Social Action and Family