The activities developed by the Federal Government of the United States in response to the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, which began in 1990, are described in this paper. The main goal of both endeavors, the international and the domestic, to maximize the opportunities for reducing the losses created by natural hazards is discussed. The objectives of the program developed by the Federal Subcommittee for Natural Disaster Reduction, its framework and priorities will be presented as well as some examples of specific activities.