The United Nations (UN)’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is annually observed across the globe on October 13 to promote a global culture of risk awareness and disaster reduction.
- The day highlights how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face.
The theme of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2022 is “Early Warning”, which is a call for investment in expanding early warning and early action for all.
- The theme also focuses on Target G of the Sendai Framework: “Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by 2030”.
Background:
i. The UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution A/RES/44/236 in 1989 and declared the 2nd Wednesday of October as the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR).
- The first International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) was observed on 10th October 1990.
ii. In 2009, the UNGA decided to change the name to International Day for Disaster Reduction by adopting a resolution A/RES/64/200 and designated October 13 as the Official date for the day.
- Since 2010, the Day is observed on the 13th of October every year.
Key Points:
i. The IDDRR 2022 takes place during the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework, which will conclude at a High-level Meeting of the General Assembly in May 2023 with a political declaration.
ii. In 2016, the UN Secretary-General used the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction to launch the Sendai Seven Campaign, which refers to the seven objectives of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).
iii. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework) was adopted at the 3rd UN World Conference in Sendai, Japan, on March 18, 2015.
- It was the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda and provides the Member States with concrete actions to protect development gains from the risk of disaster.
iv. UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) (formerly known as UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Secretariat (UNISDR)) is part of the UN Secretariat and it supports the implementation & review of the Sendai Framework.
Highlights of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2022:
i. The climate emergency and the systemic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic point to a new reality.
ii. Understanding and reducing risk in a world of uncertainty is fundamental to achieving genuinely sustainable development.
iii. The best defence against future shocks is to transform systems now, to build resilience by addressing climate change and reduce the vulnerability, exposure and inequality that drive disasters.
Global Disaster Risk Reduction in 2021:
- 432 disastrous events related to natural hazards worldwide.
- An estimated 252 billion US$ of economic damage were reported.
- 44 per cent of disasters have been associated with floods.
- Early warning saves lives – early warning by 24 hours can cut the ensuing damage by 30 per cent.
Disaster Risk Reduction in India:
India is among the world’s most disaster-inclined countries with 27 of its 29 states and 7 union territories exposed to recurrent natural hazards such as cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, floods and droughts. Climate change and environmental degradation.
About UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR):
Head of UNDRR- Mami Mizutori
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
Establishment- 1999
