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Risk
reduction conference must result in meaningful action “on the
ground”, says the International Federation 5 June 2007 The Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction must lead to tangible and meaningful actions that make vulnerable communities safer and stronger, says the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. “This meeting has to go beyond technical debates and information exchange,” said Dr Mukesh Kapila, the policy director of the International Federation. “It must lead to specific and scaled-up action that makes vulnerable communities safer against natural disasters. Debate and discussion are important, but for risk reduction to have a meaningful impact it must be focused at the community level.” The UN-sponsored Global Platform is a chance for governments, UN agencies and NGOs to assess progress made in implementing the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) – the global framework for reducing the impact of disasters that was signed by 168 countries at the January 2005 World Conference on Risk Reduction in Kobe, Japan. According to Dr Kapila, progress against the HFA has been disappointing. For example, governments that signed the HFA committed to making risk reduction a priority in their countries by establishing ‘national platforms’ to guide policy and coordinate activities. However, so far only 45 of the 168 signatories have done so. “Risk reduction can save lives and livelihoods, but in many cases it is still only an afterthought after major disasters,” continued Dr Kapila. “This has to change, particularly as we know that climate change is already leading to an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events that disproportionately affect poor and vulnerable people.” Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are already working with communities to make them safer against the threat of disasters. In Mozambique, for example, a Red Cross disaster preparedness programme that was established following the devastating floods of 2000 and 2001 has established disaster committees within vulnerable communities to disseminate early warning information and to coordinate evacuations and preparations. “In 2000 we didn’t know what was happening. We just grabbed their children and ran. People lost everything,” recalled Anita Manissela, a member of a local disaster committee in Mozambique’s Inhambane province. “But this year, we knew what was going to happen. We were able to prepare and make sure our communities were safe.” In coming weeks, the International Federation will launch a new Global Alliance on Disaster Risk Reduction that will see a dramatic expansion of Red Cross and Red Crescent risk reduction efforts. Working in close partnership with the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) and other partners, it will focus on the 20 most disaster-prone countries. Overall, the International Federation intends to at least double the size and reach of its disaster preparedness and risk reduction programmes over the next five years. “The key to reducing disaster risk is to pre-empt and prepare at the local level by mobilizing vulnerable communities themselves,” Dr Kapila continued. “And through our network of 185 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and our 100 million volunteers, we have the capacity to reach these communities.” For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Matthew Cochrane, Media Officer Tel: + 41 22 730 4426 / +41 79 308 9804 Media Service Duty Phone Tel. + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 185 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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