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East Africa Region to Tackle Disaster Risk Reduction, Common Strategy, Solutions to Address Urban Sustainability Sought

The Africa Union Commission will hold a regional workshop for the East Africa region to accelerate action in the implementation of the Africa Regional Strategy on disaster risk reduction and its Programme of Action to reduce the vulnerabilities of EAC Member States to natural hazards. 		12 Jul 2011 Press release

Message from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General For Disaster Risk Reduction On World Population Day

The United Nations secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) joins the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in observing World Population Day 2011 – The World at 7 Billion. We welcome the campaign 7 Billion Actions which will spur commitment and spark actions vis-à-vis the opportunities and challenges presented by a world of seven billion people. 		11 Jul 2011 Statements & speeches

ECOSOC 2011 Statement by Margareta Wahlström, Special Representative of the Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction

Disasters have a proven negative impact on education and the efforts of governments to achieve MDG 2. 		7 Jul 2011 Statements & speeches

Future Development Must Be Centred Around Risk: article by United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction Chief

Around 20% of the Earth is at risk from at least one natural hazard and more than half the world’s six billion plus population is exposed. In a matter of minutes, at least one hazard can change the world they know. Only through incorporating risk into development planning can we start to reduce this exposure. 		6 Jul 2011 Statements & speeches

Forests are a vital natural resource and ally for reducing disaster risks, says UN special representative over concerns of wildfire risk

As Europe and North America move into the summer season, the risk of wildfires will increase. While these natural hazards may not get the attention of earthquakes, tsunamis and cyclones, their destructive potential is considerable and reducing the risks they present should be a priority. 		4 Jul 2011 News briefs

Maldives Government Endorses World’s First Strategic National Action Plan Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation

The Government of the Maldives has fully endorsed the world’s first Strategic National Action Plan (SNAP) that integrates Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA). 		24 Jun 2011 Press release

City of Kuwait hosts major gathering on linking disaster risk reduction into urban planning and city development strategy in the Gulf States

UNISDR, UNHABITAT and UNDP Kuwait organized a workshop on "Advancing disaster risk reduction and urban strategy in the Gulf States" in collaboration with the Capacity for Disaster Reduction Initiative (CADRI) and the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISoCaRP). 		21 Jun 2011 News briefs

Mayors unanimously adopt declaration to build urban resilience and fight climate change

Following the 2nd World Congress on Cities and Adaptation to Climate Change, mayors from over sixty countries unanimously adopt the 2011 Bonn Declaration of Mayors to commit to globally coordinated local climate action. In the declaration, building resilience to disasters was highlighted as a critical issue. 		14 Jun 2011 News briefs

Equal priority is needed to strengthen policies on disaster response and prevention says European Commissioner

Recognizing the political importance and impact of recent disasters, UNISDR and the European Parliament organized a debate "Prevent or react: The EU approach to Disaster Risk Reduction" to discuss the European Union's approach to disaster prevention. 		14 Jun 2011 News briefs

Egypt holds the first UNDP-coordinated training on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Arab Region to discuss regional risks trends

The first comprehensive training on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Arab region gathered thirty leading specialists to discuss regional and global disaster risk trends. Organized by the UNDP Regional Centre for Arab States, it provided valuable insight on disaster risk assessment, mitigation and preparedness. 		9 Jun 2011 News briefs

Chair's Summary sees disaster risk reduction as key to preserving and protecting environment and ensuring sustainable development

Half of humanity is now living in cities - commitment to resilience is urgently needed, said Ms. Asha-Rose Migiro, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in her final summary. 		3 Jun 2011 News briefs

Calls for 'coalition of action' to address link between natural hazards and nuclear safety at Global Platform for DRR ending today

In a year marred by disaster losses over US$300 billion, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called, at the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, for a “coalition of action” and a high-level meeting during the next General Assembly to address the link between natural hazards and nuclear safety. 		13 May 2011 Press release

President Ivanov of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia calls for a joint global response to growing disaster-related losses

The world is at defining moment in its history, where risks from climate change and growing disaster-related losses require a joint global response, said President Gjorge Ivanov of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, who addressed delegates yesterday during the opening ceremony of the Global Platform. 		11 May 2011 News briefs

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to open the latest session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

The Global Platform will be opened today by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who will also launch a report entitled 2011 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction – Revealing risks, redefining development. Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro will chair the forum in Geneva. 		10 May 2011 News briefs

Economic Disaster Losses Increasing, Threatening All Regions, Rich and Poor Countries, Warns New United Nations Report

Disaster-related economic losses are increasing across all regions, critically threatening the economies of low-income countries and even outstripping wealth creation across many of the world’s richer nations, says a United Nations report titled Revealing Risk, Redefining Development to be launched today by the United Nations' Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the Third Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction. 		10 May 2011 Press release

UN Secretary-General announces a discussion on nuclear energy in September

The international community must “risk proof” development because disasters are taking a heavy toll on rich and poor countries as well as outpacing their ability to respond, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told delegates today, at the foremost gathering of stakeholders on reducing disaster risk which opened this afternoon in Geneva and will run until Friday, 13 May. 		10 May 2011 Press release

Two days until the official opening of the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

The final touches are being added to the Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 8-13 May. The Global Platform will be opened officially by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on May 10. 		8 May 2011 News briefs

Six Brazilian cities sign up to make their cities resilient

The cities of Blumenau, Jaragua do Sul, Rio do Sul, Itajaí, Tubarão and Florianopolis from the southern state of Santa Catarina, Brazil joined the Making Cities Resilient world disaster reduction campaign. Santa Catarina is in an area constantly hit by hydrometeorological phenomena that impact negatively on its population, the participation of these cities in the campaign is very relevant and demonstrates the political commitment of its authorities towards disaster risk reduction. 		18 Apr 2011 News briefs

Four African cities commit to urban resilience

Four cities - Addis Ababa, Kampala, Narok and Yaoundé - joined the Making Cities Resilience campaign after their mayors took part in a debate on city resilience on Tuesday, 29 March, moderated by top Kenyan journalist Yvonne Okwara. Panellists pointed to poor planning, corruption, and “negative attitudes” as elements that could erode city resilience. 		4 Apr 2011 News briefs

African Working Group agrees to implement the Strategy for disaster risk reduction

The inaugural meeting of the reconstituted African Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (AWGDRR) ended on Thursday, 31 March, with delegates agreeing to accelerate the implementation of the extended programme of action for the implementation of the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (2006-2015), in line with the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA).The meeting took place after the Executive Council of the African Union had endorsed the Report of the Second African Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in April 2010, where it also endorsed the extended programme of action. 		31 Mar 2011 News briefs

Statement by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction on World Meteorological Day

Today’s observance of World Meteorological Day with its theme of “Climate for You”, highlights the direct link between climate change, weather variability and the increase in the frequency as well as severity of weather related natural hazards. 		23 Mar 2011 Statements & speeches

In times of dwindling resources, disaster risk reduction is an easy win

A new report from the United Nations confirms what governments already hear but are slow to believe: that disciplined public sector involvement in “disaster risk reduction” can significantly reduce setbacks brought by hundreds of droughts, earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes and other hazards that befall the world each year, on average. 		9 Mar 2011 Press release

To build the resilience of nations and communities to disasters, we need equal and active participation of men and women in disaster risk reduction.

Disasters affect men and women differently, and so we will continue to lobby for gender-sensitive vulnerability, risk and capacity assessments. Studies show that women’s vulnerabilities during and after disasters is linked to their role and status in society, making women and children 14 times more likely to die than men during a disaster. 		8 Mar 2011 News briefs

Local governments in Africa meet to find ways to tackle climate adaptation and urban resilience

Going on now in Africa, the Congress dubbed on Local Climate Solutions for Africa 2011 kicked off on Monday a gathering of high-level speakers to discuss urban sustainability. The congress is coordinated by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the city of Cape Town, and UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) among other partners. The five day congress will focus, among other things, on local action for climate adaptation and resilience in the context of Africa’s cities. The Congress will serve as preparation for Africa’s local and sub-national authorities and their partners for participation in the South African-hosted climate change summit, 2012. 		2 Mar 2011 News briefs

Reducing vulnerability to natural hazards must become top international priority says General Assembly President

Addressing journalists at the Palais des Nations on 28 February, General Assembly President Joseph Deiss said that reducing vulnerability to natural hazards must be a top priority of the international community. “Reducing disaster risks is essential if we are to consolidate progress made in development and poverty reduction,” he said, briefing correspondents on the outcome of the General Assembly Thematic Debate on disaster risk reduction, held on 9 February at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. 		28 Feb 2011 News briefs

Surviving Yasi due to planning and not ‘miracle’, says top UN disaster official

North-eastern Australia suffered no casualties after Cyclone Yasi, which UNISDR says was due to a high level of risk awareness and planning, rather than a “miracle,” as some call it. Tropical Cyclone Yasi crossed the Australian mainland at midnight local time on Wednesday, but despite its category-5 strength, there were no reports of serious injuries or fatalities, according to a situation update from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 		4 Feb 2011 Press release

Strengthening climate change adaptation through effective disaster risk reduction

This briefing note highlights that climate change adaptation relies on the reduction and management of climate-related disaster risks and why both need to become central to development planning and investment. It incorporates evidence that illustrates how climate risks are constructed and which risks can be reduced cost effectively. 		2 Feb 2011 News briefs

Killer year caps deadly decade - reducing disaster impact is "critical" says top UN disaster official

Geneva – Some 373 natural disasters killed over 296,800 people in 2010, affecting nearly 208 million others and costing nearly US$110 billion, according to the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED). The top two most lethal disasters -- the 12 January earthquake in Haiti, which killed over 222,500 people, as well as the Russian heat wave in summer, which caused about 56,000 fatalities made 2010 the deadliest years in at least two decades. 		24 Jan 2011 Press release

Killer year caps deadly decade - reducing disaster impact is "critical" says top UN disaster official

 24 Jan 2011 Press release

Over one hundred Municipal Leaders in Orissa pledge to strengthen environmental sustainability

Some 102 Municipal leaders in the State of Orissa battling with recurrent cyclones, floods, droughts and heat waves agreed today to make their cities more resilient to multiple hazards, by signing up to the UNISDR “Making Cities Resilient” campaign. Orissa, despite being one of the poorest states in India, is slowly becoming the hub for industries, IT, education and medical infrastructure. 		21 Jan 2011 Press release
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