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Kobe
must lead to 2005 watershed in disaster prevention 22 January 2005 The opportunities presented by the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan, have yet to be fully grasped, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said today. Mr Tadateru Konoe, the Vice President of the Japanese Red Cross who led the Federation’s delegation in Kobe, told the conference’s closing session, “Our task now is to work with partners to find ways to transform the encouraging statements made by governments in their plenary statements into the concrete action which has been demanded but not yet framed.” The conference was over but the work would continue, he said. ‘2005 must be remembered not only for the aftermath of one of the world’s most catastrophic events, but also as a watershed in disaster reduction.’ Just as 1995, and the earthquake that devastated Kobe, had been Japan’s. Mr Konoe said the Federation would continue to advocate for clear political commitment on specific issues, such as firm targets and indicators, when the next stages of decision-making take place. A major Federation concern is the need for commitment for more resources to build community resilience and preparedness. Only with this can people themselves reduce risks and withstand natural disaster. It is essential also that risk reduction measures should be brought into development strategies and programmes, something entirely consistent with the goals of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. After the closure, Eva von Oelreich, the Federation’s head of disaster preparedness and response, said, “The week began with memorial events to remember, and honour those people who died in the 1995 Kobe earthquake. But the efforts Japan has made in the past ten years, and continues to make, in disaster preparedness and risk reduction also honours them.” “You have to ask whether this conference and its outcomes have honoured those who died in the Asian earthquakes and tsunamis? Have they brought hope to the survivors, and to other vulnerable people, that soon the day will come when the risk of such horror occurring again will have been reduced to the minimum. The international community has 2005 to make concrete its promises.” For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: In Kobe: Eva M. Calvo, Press Officer: Tel: +81 90-2930-3892 (mobile) John Sparrow, Regional Information Delegate Tel: +81 80-5413-7583 (mobile) Mori Masanao, Japanese Red Cross: Tel. +81 90-4814-4146 In Geneva: Siân Bowen, Head, Media Service Tel. + 41 22 730 44 28 / + 41 79 217 33 88 Media Service duty phone Tel. + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 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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