Risk reduction, disasters and IDRL: Priority areas for action

Statement delivered by Simone Long, International Federation Representative, to the 9th Ministerial Meeting of the EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement, Bandol
04 October 2002



Good morning,

My name is Simone Long, Vice President of the French Red Cross. Today, I am speaking on behalf of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, an international organisation of which the French Red Cross is a member along with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in almost every country in the world.

The International Federation is one of the leading humanitarian agencies dealing with risk reduction, disaster preparedness and disaster response. We welcome the opportunity to participate as an observer in this meeting, and strongly support the proposed resolutions as very positive steps to increase coordination in risk management and risk reduction.
As you are aware, the International Federation publishes the annual World Disasters Report. The focus of this year's report is risk reduction, with a key message that risk reduction must form the core of all planning processes in order to minimise the impact of disasters on communities.

Around the world, the International Federation and its member National Societies have made risk reduction and community-based disaster preparedness a priority area for action. Building local capacity to understand and prepare for disasters is vital if we are to reduce the impact on vulnerable communities. In that regard, the proposed resolutions to strengthen early warning systems, risk assessments and raising awareness of risks, especially among youth and children, are important initiatives that the Federation strongly supports.

In terms of disaster response, there is no doubt of the need to increase and improve the effectiveness of disaster prevention and preparedness programmes, and especially the need to coordinate amongst all different agencies. In this regard, the International Federation continues to build our response capacity and expertise with Emergency Response Units, Field Assessment Coordination Team and new tools such as the Disaster Management Information System to take advantage of new information technologies to coordinate and manage disaster response. The International Federation also manages the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund as a rapid mechanism to mobilise resources in emergency situations.

I would also like to mention another important International Federation initiative that is particularly relevant to this meeting. The International Federation is working to establish a clear understanding of the dimensions of International Disaster Response Law. Work on a study of the existing law, which can be found in a wide range of treaties and other instruments, is well advanced. Field studies, which will make possible an analysis of any gaps or problems which could be corrected either by governments or the international community, are in preparation now. I hope that the governments of the region will continue to support the development of this important initiative.

Finally, I would like to highlight the need to integrate risk reduction into relief, rehabilitation and development efforts following a disaster. We cannot hope to reduce vulnerability to risks and hazards if we do not incorporate risk reduction into long-term planning and I hope that that message is taken to heart in all your discussions here. In that regard, the European Development Bank can take a leadership role in placing risk reduction as a key component of rehabilitation and development programmes.

I would like to end by urging the representatives here to work closely and build strong partnerships with the International Federation and the Red Cross or Red Crescent National Society in their respective countries in the area of disaster preparedness and response. I am certain that the wide experience of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in the field of risk reduction will enrich your discussions and debates.

In that regard, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference in December 2003 will present an opportunity for governments and the Red Cross and Red Crescent to discuss in greater detail the issue of reducing vulnerability to the effects of disasters. The International Federation looks forward to maintaining a healthy dialogue and an exchange of ideas on these issues with the governments that are part of the EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement.

Thank you.