Global broadcasters push for DRR in Sendai

Four broadcasting unions whose membership spans Africa, Arab states, the Asia-Pacific region and Europe have vowed to push for greater media involvement in disaster risk reduction, given their crucial role as a conduit of information to the public. In a formal pledge issued at the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, the African Union of Broadcasting, the Arab States Broadcasting Union, the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union and the European Broadcasting Union said that they wanted to harness their ability to reach billions of people. 

What's new about the Sendai plan for disaster risk reduction?

In 2005, as part of a global effort to shift disaster risk management efforts from post-disaster response to preparedness and prevention, 168 countries signed a voluntary 10-year disaster risk reduction (DRR) framework known as the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). This is due for renewal this week at the Third World DRR Conference in Sendai, Japan. The new deal is expected to cover global progress on DRR to 2030. 

Sendai UN World Conference hailed for accessibility

 The Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (#WCDRR), is being hailed by participants as the first international meeting of its kind to provide a wide range of accessibility features for people living with disabilities. As a result, more than 200 persons with disabilities are actively participating in the Conference proceedings as delegates, speakers, panellists, and contributors. Thirty-four events from the Official Conference Programme and Public Forum address issues of disability. The five-day Conference closes today.

World Conference adopts new international framework for disaster risk reduction after marathon negotiations

Representatives from 187 UN member States today adopted the first major agreement of the Post-2015 development agenda, a far reaching new framework for disaster risk reduction with seven targets and four priorities for action. Conference President, Ms. Eriko Yamatani, Minister of State for Disaster Management, announced agreement on the text, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 – the new international framework for disaster risk reduction, following a marathon final round of negotiations which went on for over 30 hours. 

Daily report of the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) - Monday, 16 March 2015

WCDRR highlights for Monday, 16 March 2015, issue #3:

The third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) continued its deliberations on Sunday with two ministerial roundtables, several working sessions and Main Committee discussions on the text of a post-2015 framework for DRR. Country delegations delivered statements in a general exchange of views that took place throughout the day. Many other events organized by and for the DRR community occurred in and around the meeting venue, including a presentation of the 2015 Global Assessment Report on DRR.

Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR)

The third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) continued its deliberations on Sunday with ministerial roundtables, several working sessions, and negotiations of the text of the post-2015 framework for DRR.Ministers met at two roundtable events, on “Reconstructing After Disasters: Build Back Better” in the morning, and on “International Cooperation in Support of a Post-2015 Framework for DRR” in afternoon. Throughout the day, country delegations delivered statements in a general exchange of views, while many other events organized by and for the DRR community took place in and around the meeting venue, including a presentation of the recently launched 2015 Global Assessment Report on DRR.

Daily report of the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) - Sunday, 15 March 2015

WCDRR highlights for Sunday, 15 March 2015, issue #2:

The third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction opened on Saturday in Sendai, Japan, attended by approximately 20 Heads of State and Government, many country delegations, and 8,000 participants. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzō Abe and many other dignitaries addressed the conference. Member States engaged in an exchange of views throughout the day, with many delegates expressing their hope and intention that the Conference will produce a strong outcome on a post-2015 disaster risk reduction (DRR) framework.

Daily report of the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) - Saturday, 14 March 2015

The third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) opens today in Sendai, Japan, following a one-day meeting of the third session of the Preparatory Committee on 13 March. The Conference is expected to adopt the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and a political declaration. The Conference will also include five ministerial roundtables on: governing disaster risk; international cooperation in support of a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction; reducing disaster risk in urban settings; reconstructing after disasters; and public investment strategies for disaster risk reduction. Three high-level multi- stakeholder partnership dialogues will convene on “Mobilizing women’s leadership in disaster risk reduction,” “Risk-sensitive investment: public-private partnerships,” and “Inclusive disaster risk management: governments, communities and groups acting together.”

Technological hazards: From risk reduction to recovery

By Armen Grigoryan: 

This past December marked the 30th Anniversary of the Bhopal disaster—3,000 people were killed and another 170,000 injured when a pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, leaked chemical substances into the air. Regarded by many as one of history’s worst industrial accidents, Bhopal remains a horrific reminder of risks we continue to face today in an ever-industrializing world. 

Toward Resilience: Principles in practice

New online elearning course now available free at Disaster Ready

The Emergency Capacity Building Project’s Toward Resilience Guide has emerged as the ‘go to’ resource on incorporating disaster risk reduction & climate change adaptation principles into relief and development programming. Toward Resilience: Principles in Practice is a 75 minute e-learning course that helps learners understand how these principles can be put into practice in areas where communities are threatened by hazards and the effects of climate change. Based on three real world case studies, the companion course illustrates the benefits and key elements of an integrated approach to building resilience to disaster and climate change risk. Developed in collaboration with members of the ECB Project and DisasterReady.org, the course is available free online.