Statement by Maude Froberg, Information Delegate in the IFRC Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations, in the Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is pleased to contribute to the debate on sustainable development. National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world are at the forefront of reducing the impact of disasters and supporting vulnerable communities to decrease their exposure to risk.
Our approach to sustainable development is one that addresses the long-term underlying causes of vulnerability by reducing disaster risks, adapting to climate change and strengthening food security and livelihoods.
We apply the Hyogo Framework for Action as a systemic guide in our efforts. Today, there is a growing recognition that strengthening resilience is not only about managing disasters. Communities with sustainable livelihoods, good levels of health care and access to a strong and accountable civil society are better able to withstand hazards.
These development gains need to be protected from disasters. Mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into our development work continues to be a top priority for the IFRC.
Just recently we have completed a mapping of all Red Cross Red Crescent action on Disaster Risk Reduction.
The results show that 113 National Societies have improved safety and resilience for 13 million people in 2009.
33 National Societies more are involved and reaching nearly 4 million people more than in 2008.
Community level action works.
This is something our people on the ground witness every day and it’s also confirmed in numerous studies and research.
The World Disasters Report, published earlier this year by the IFRC, makes a strong argument for an increased focus on “early warning, early action”, and identifies disaster risk reduction measures at the community level as the most effective way to save lives and safeguard development gains.
Community members are the first responders to disasters, and need to be empowered to make right decisions in emergency response.
More importantly, they must have the power to make the right choices already before a disaster strikes.
Climate change adaptation is urgent and humanitarian actors have an important role.
Climate change is not a future threat, but a key driver of disasters right now. The approaching Climate Conference in Copenhagen presents an opportunity to minimize the unavoidable human suffering caused by climate change.
On behalf of those living at risk, we call upon governments to capitalize on this opportunity and approach the negotiating table with forward-looking solutions.
Disaster response systems must be strengthened at all levels, enabling systematic early action to be triggered by early warning.
Climate change adaptation measures must include disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, and response as part of its risk management approach.
Adaptation must also be fully integrated into longer-term risk reduction, sustainable development and poverty reduction strategies.
Vulnerable communities can only survive if they get timely and clear weather information to plan their livelihood activities, and if they get resources to scale up community level preparedness.
The Second Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, last June, called for strengthening community-level action.
The IFRC has taken this forward within its global network and we are ready to do more in order to create safer and more resilient communities around the world.
Strong partnerships are needed with all stakeholders, including communities themselves, local and national governments, civil society and the private sector. Moreover, a significant increase in investments in community resilience is needed.
If we invest more today in known disaster reduction measures such as early warning systems, water management and ecosystem restoration, we will not only build stronger communities but we can also reduce adaptation costs which are already estimated to US$250 Billion per annum by 2020.