After the Typhoon Hato, the Macao SAR Government invited experts in different fields from the China National Commission for Disaster Reduction to Macao on 13^th September. The experts assisted in enhancing the plan for handling and reacting to disasters. The Policy Research Office of the MSAR Government collected 131 opinions and suggestions on the 'Expert Working Group's report on the assessment of damage caused by Typhoon Hato in Macao with the assistance of the China National Commission for Disaster Reduction' (hereinafter referred to as the 'report') from 27^th September to 10^th October.

The 21-page, ten thousand word report, divided into three parts, addressed 1. response to the disaster; 2. Mainland China and global response to the typhoon; 3. recommendation of Macao on improving disaster response abilities.

The third part of the report illustrates seven key expert suggestions with regard to the short, middle and long-term disaster response strategies developed by the MSAR Government. The seven major suggestions: 1. refine disaster prevention, reduction, responses and emergency handling system mechanisms; 2. reinforce city lifeline engineering and infrastructures abilities for disaster prevention and reduction; 3. enhance the co-operation mechanism between Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong for disaster responses; 4. improve abilities to handle disasters and catastrophes; 5. enhance laws and standards system for disaster prevention, reduction, responses; 6. conduct education on safety awareness; 7. major infrastructure projects.

Most of the collected opinions appraised the report and comprehensive evaluation of damage wrought by Typhoon Hato plus the follow-up work undertaken after the disaster. The opinions also appraised the all-inclusive suggestions for an increase in Macao's capability of handling such disasters. Groups, the public and experts also provided opinions upon the improvement of water resources projects with the surrounding area, and on how to implement the report's suggestions.

The Policy Research Office will systematically co-ordinate all collected opinions and suggestions, and deliver them to the Commission for Reviewing and Monitoring the Improvements of the Response Mechanism to Major Disasters, chaired by the Chief Executive, in the hope that Macao's capability of handling disasters can be noticeably improved.

The full text of the report is available on the Policy Research Office website www.gep.gov.mo/event (Chinese and Portuguese only).