Earthquake is a natural hazard like flood , cyclone , landslide but the main difference is it is sudden and cannot predict its arrival time.

Though we can identify the return period, but it  also consists of uncertainties. Like 2% probability of exceeding in 50 years (2500 years return period), 10% probability of exceeding in 50 years (500 years return period). Geophysicists are still trying to find the trend of  the earthquake. But it is not that easy. So better we have to make a plan , contingency plan to reduce the risks that can happen from an probable earthquake. We do not know when an earthquake will strike. As soon as possible every country lies in earthquake risk zone should make such plan to reduce the losses. But to make this plan we need to do  earthquake risks assessments. But it should be rational. Otherwise the plan will not work. There are some available softwares to do this risks assessments. Like

CAPRA

RADIUS

HAZUS

Hazus is the most accurate one. My main focus is hazus as it can give micro level results. But main problem is massive studies is required to run hazus. Moreover hazus is confined for US only as its name says ( hazard us =hazus). So we need to make it compatible for our study region at first. We can think for the database development later on. For better understanding of the mechanism of hazus we need to have the clear concept on both of the ground motion and structural behavior during earthquake. Don't worry lots of study have been already published. So these papers can help a lot.

Rapid Visual Screening (FEMA-154)

RVS or Rapid Visual Screening is the effective and easiest way to find out seismically hazardous buildings so that such buildings can be further evaluated by the design professionals. HAZUS analysis is the best way to find the seismic risks in a city but it is time consuming and involve lots of money as we need to do a lots of research works like geo-technical investigation to find out the soil type and fault category, detail structural survey to prepare the capacity and fragility curve, etc prior to run HAZUS. At least RVS study need to be carried out throughout the every city so that decision maker can make an effective contingency plan for the future hazard.

RVS is basically a methodology based on sidewalk survey of a building and fill up a prescribe form mentioned in FEMA 154.