The Yokohama principles are as follows: (1) Risk assessment is a required step for the adoption of adequate and successful disaster reduction policies and measures. (2) Disaster prevention and preparedness are of primary importance in reducing the need for disaster relief. (3) Disaster prevention and preparedness should be considered integral aspects of development policy and planning at national, regional, bilateral, multilateral and international levels. (4) The development and strengthening of capacities to prevent, reduce and mitigate disasters is a top priority area to be addressed so as to provide a strong basis for follow-up activities to IDNDR. (5) Early warnings of impending disasters and their effective dissemination are key factors to successful disaster prevention and preparedness. (6) Preventive measures are most effective when they involve participation at all levels from the local community through the national government to the regional and international level.x2 (7) Vulnerability can be reduced by the application of proper design and patterns of development focused on target groups by appropriate education and training of the whole community. (8) The international community accepts the need to share the necessary technology to prevent, reduce and mitigate disaster. (9) Environmental protection as a component of sustainable development consistent with poverty alleviation is imperative in the prevention and mitigation of natural disasters. (10) Each country bears the primary responsibility for protecting its people, infrastructure, and other national assets from the impact of natural disasters. The international community should demonstrate strong political determination required to make efficient use of existing resources, including financial, scientific and technological means, in the field of natural disaster reduction, bearing in mind the needs of the developing countries, particularly the least developed countries. (UN ISDR, Living With Risk, 2002, Chapter one, p. 10)