Disaster Risk Reduction

The Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) is a ten-year plan of action (adopted in 2005 by 168 countries) and an instrument for implementing disaster risk reduction created by the United Nations.

Five areas for priority actions are: i) make disaster risk reduction a priority ii) know the risks and take action iii) build understanding and awareness iv) reduce risk v) be prepared and ready to act.

Ban Ki-moon’s, Secretary-General of the United Nations, rationale on the importance of HFA: “Climate change creates more natural hazards, which increase city vulnerability, and potential for disasters. The solution thus is investing is resilient cities by implementing HFA”.

http://www.unisdr.org/files/1217_HFAbrochureEnglish.pdf

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a framework adopted by UN in 2000. ISDR guides and coordinates partners to reduce disaster losses. It aims to build resilient communities as a condition for sustainable development. UNISDR is the focal point of HFA.

http://www.unisdr.org/files/14044_ISDRbrochure2010.pdf

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) aims to reduce damage caused by natural hazards. This concept and practice reduce disaster risks by analyzing the causes of disasters.

A disaster’s severity depends on how much impact a hazard has on society and the environment. The scale of the impact depends on the choices we make for our lives and for our environment: i) how we grow food ii) build homes iii) type of government iv) financial system v) educational system and content. Each decision and action makes us more vulnerable to disasters – or more resilient to them.

http://www.unisdr.org/who-we-are/what-is-drr

2011 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): this is a worldwide report on the relation between governance & poverty and DRR.

http://www.preventionweb.net/english/hyogo/gar/2011/en/home/executive.html