2005 World Disaster Reduction awareness campaign focuses on reducing
risk using micro-finance tools and safety nets
In 2005 ISDR network will contribute to the International Year of Microcredit
by collaborating with partners involved in micro-finance and safety nets
for disaster reduction. This will also be the theme of the International
Day for Disaster Reduction on Wednesday 12 October. Micro finance is
a tool that has successfully been utilized to improve livelihoods options
and reduce poverty. It has been very little used yet in the context of
disaster risk reduction. Leading up to the International Day, we will
stimulate dialogues with the micro-finance community on the possibilities
of using these tools to reduce disaster risk and increase community resilience
to disasters. In addition we aim at raising awareness among disaster
risk managers on how micro-finance and safety nets are potential options
to reduce vulnerability and help recover from disasters. The ISDR secretariat,
in collaboration with other UN agencies and NGOs working on micro-finance,
is currently seeking good practices and lessons learned in this area
to share with others around the world. If you are aware of good practices
and experiences, please send your contributions to us, and we will adapt
them for out information products or discussion forums. Please send to leonib@un.org
Further information on the International Year of Microcredit is available
at http://www.yearofmicrocredit.org
2005 nomination process of the UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction
Nomination booklets are now available for the annual nomination process
of the UN Sasakawa for Disaster Reduction. Join us in rewarding individuals
and institutions from around the world that contributed, through innovative
practices and outstanding initiatives, to reducing the risk and vulnerabilities
of communities to natural hazards. Candidates with expertise related
to micro finance and disaster reduction are also welcome. Nomination
forms are available in English, French and Spanish at http://www.unisdr.org and
must be submitted by 29 July 2005.
For further information on the UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction,
please refer to http://www.unisdr.org/eng/sasakawa/sk-about-eng.htm or
contact rosec@un.org
Indian Ocean interim early warning system demonstrates results following
Indonesia quake
Numerous tsunami alerts were issued throughout the Indian Ocean following
the earthquake of 28 March that struck Indonesia, prompting immediate
reaction and evacuation to safer areas. Warnings were issued to six Indian
Ocean countries by the Japan Meteorology Agency only 40 minutes after
the quake, including India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The interim tsunami early warning system was set in place after a meeting
held in Paris 3-8 March, organized by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission of UNESCO in conjunction with the ISDR Platform for the Promotion
of Early Warning (PPEW). The next meeting on the subject will be held
in Mauritius on 14-16 April to further elaborate the plan of action as
well as to clarify responsibilities of national, sub-regional and regional
stakeholders, followed by another in Bangkok planned for June.
Further information on early warning is available at http://www.unisdr.org/ppew/
Clinton commences work as UN
Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery and risk reduction
Upon the request of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, former US President
Bill Clinton has agreed to serve as the UN’s Special Envoy for
Tsunami Recovery, with the support of Erskine Bowles as Deputy Special
Envoy. Both will play an active role in communicating, coordinating and
informing donors, governments and general public on post-tsunami activities
following the tragedy of December last year. President Clinton is also
expected to work with the ISDR secretariat, UNDP, UNESCO, WMO and others
on raising awareness and generating support for disaster risk reduction.
Platform for the Promotion
of Early Warning Website - New Section on Tsunami
The 26 December 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean caught most people by
surprise; if tsunami early warning systems had been in place in the region,
many thousands of lives could have been saved. The international community
is acting to ensure the implementation of effective early warning systems
as soon as possible. Special conferences are underway to plan and determine
how the tsunami early warning system for the Indian Ocean should be most
effectively organized, supported by a multi dollar project coordinated
by ISDR/PPEW.
This new section provides information on these developments. It also
contains a concise summary of information on tsunamis and links to other
tsunami expert websites. At the moment, the main focus of tsunami early
warning activities is on the Indian Ocean region but the site will also
highlight endeavours in other tsunami-prone regions of the world.
For further information please visit the tsunami section at PPEW’s
homepage at: http://www.unisdr.org/ppew/tsunami/ppew-tsunami.htm
Seoul: an opportunity to recall
the priorities of the Hyogo Framework of Action
Ministers of Environment from Asia and the Pacific met on 24-29 March
2005 in Seoul, Republic of Korea, at the Fifth Ministerial Conference
on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific convened by the
UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN/ESCAP).
Among the major events in the margins of the Ministerial Conference,
an Eminent Scientists Symposium was held discussing issues relating to "Global
Change, Environment and Development" on 24-25 March 2005. UN/ISDR
Director Salvano Briceno took this opportunity to recall participants
of those priorities identified in the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015
at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction Kobe in Japan in January
this year. A high level panel with heads of ESCAP, UNEP,ADRC,and ISDR
informed of tsunami follow up action.
Further information on the meeting is available at http://www.mced2005seoul.org
Sustainable human settlements
for disaster-resilient cities
On 4-8 April the UN Human Settlements Programmer’s (UN-HABITAT)
Governing Council met for its twentieth session in Nairobi, Kenya. Disaster
risk reduction was singled out as one of two special themes that were
included within the agenda under item 5(b): Post conflict, natural and
human-made disasters assessment and reconstruction. A dialogue session
on the theme was held on 5 April, which generated lively discussion among
panelists and participants. UN/ISDR’s intervention is available
at http://www.unisdr.org
Further information on UN-HABITAT’s Governing Council is available
at
http://www.un-habitat.org/gc/gc20/default.asp
African National Platforms
for disaster risk reduction to meet in Nairobi
UN/ISDR Africa in cooperation with UNDP/BCPR is organising a “First
Consultative Meeting on National Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction
in Africa” in Nairobi, Kenya, on 21-23 April 2005. This forum for
focal points of national platforms in Africa will provide an opportunity
to share successes, difficulties and lessons learned in coordinating
national platforms for disaster risk reduction. National coordinators
will also review the purpose and guiding principles of national platforms
and the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action and the Africa’s
Plan of Action.
Further information on UN/ISDR Africa is available at http://www.unisdrafrica.org
Information on ISDR National Platforms is available at
http://www.unisdr.org/eng/country-inform/introduction.htm
Forum on drought risk management
in Africa to launch regional network
The Forum on Drought Risk and Development Policy was held in Kenya following
a recommendation from the ISDR Ad Hoc Discussion Group on Drought in
coordination with UNDP/DDC/BCPR. The main recommendation of the forum
was to launch an African Drought Risk and Development Network, which
will advocate for action on drought risk management in Africa at sub-regional,
regional and international level.
For more information on the debate write to abchir@un.org or eric.patrick@undp.org.
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