The United Nations (UN’s) International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) is annually observed across the globe on 13 October to promote a global culture of risk awareness and disaster reduction.
- IDDRR also encourages the implementation of frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction(SFDRR) 2015-2030 which focuses on reducing disaster risk and enhancing preparedness globally.
Theme:
The theme of IDDRR 2024 is “Empowering the next generation for a resilient future”.
- The theme highlights the role of education in protecting and empowering youth for a disaster-free future.
- The theme is aligned with the Summit of the Future which was held in September 2024, where “youth and future generations” was one of its five priorities.
Background:
i.In 1989, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/44/236, which proclaimed the decade from 1990 to 1999 as the “International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction” (IDNDR). The resolution also declared to celebrate the 2nd Wednesday of October throughout the decade as IDNDR.
- The first IDNDR was observed on 10 October 1990.
ii.In 2009, the UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/64/200 and officially designated 13 October as the IDDRR.
- Since 2010, IDDRR has been annually observed on 13 October.
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030:
i.The SFDRR 2015-2030 was adopted at the 3rd UN’s World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai(Japan) on March 18, 2015.
ii.The SFDRR outlines 7 global targets and 4 priority actions to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks.
iii.It was the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda that aims to achieve a substantial reduction of disaster risk and to prevent and reduce losses in lives, livelihoods, economies, and basic infrastructure.
iv.The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) (formerly UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR)) is a part of the UN Secretariat that supports the implementation and review of the Sendai Framework.
Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction:
i.The UN Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR 2024) is indeed the flagship report of the United Nations on global efforts to reduce disaster risk.
ii.It is a biennial global assessment of disaster risk reduction and a comprehensive review and analysis of the natural hazards that are affecting humanity.
iii.GAR Special Report 2024: Forensic insights for future resilience – Learning from past disasters examines current and emerging trends, demonstrating how detailed forensic analysis can facilitate more focused and effective approaches to risk reduction.
iv.The GAR is published by the UNDRR and the first GAR was published in 2009.
Note: According to the reports from UNICEF, approximately 1 billion children around the world are at extreme risk from the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.
About United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR):
The UNDRR is a member of the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG).
Head – Kamal Kishore
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Established – 1999
