2004 UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction

The 2004 nomination process for the United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction was launched worldwide in January 2004 through UN/ISDR’s regular channels, encouraging Permanent Missions in Geneva, UN Resident Coordinators network, UN agencies, former Sasakawa laureates, IATF/DR members, ISDR Support Group members among others to join the ISDR secretariat in identifying and rewarding individuals and institutions from around the world who contributed, through innovative practices and outstanding initiatives, to reducing the risk and vulnerabilities of communities to natural hazards.

34 quality nominations were received and evaluated thoroughly by the independent UN Sasakawa Jury, representing Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, in September 2004.

The Jury decided to select Dr. Omar Cardona, Professor and Researcher at the National University of Colombia in Manizales as the 2004 UN Sasakawa Award Laureate. The Award recognizes his long and committed scientific endeavours and promotion of disaster reduction policies and technical solutions to reduce risk and assess vulnerability. In addition to his academic activities, Dr. Cardona has consistently contributed to Colombia’s decision-making process regarding the adoption of prevention mechanisms, as well as advancing the issue at the international and regional fora. The Jury found this high-quality contribution and commitment most encouraging.

Certificates of Distinction were awarded to Walter Hays (USA), an engineering seismologist who serves as Senior Fellow in the Global Institute for Energy and Environmental Systems, University of North Carolina at Charlotte and as Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction (GADR), as well as Gustavo Wilches-Chaux (Colombia), a lawyer, philosopher and author promoting local government and community development of risk management and sustainable development, in recognition and appreciation of their respective outstanding contributions to disaster reduction.

Dr. Walter Hays has been considered eligible for a Certificate of Distinction due to his long standing commitment to implementing and carrying out several natural disasters prevention programmes, both in his country of origin and well as internationally.

Dr. Gustavo Wilches-Chaux has been considered a very good candidate for a Certificate of Distinction of the Sasakawa Award 2004 for his devoted and pioneering work of risk management within local communities of his native country. Particular attention is giving to the multi-disciplinary approach, environmental and sustainability aspects of his activities. In addition to the active support and involvement of all age categories of community members in prevention and risk management, Dr. Wilches’ work gives particular emphasis to pedagogical approach to training, education and capacity building for all community members.

Certificates of Merit were awarded to the Local Government of La Paz (Bolivia), and the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC - Fiji), in appreciation of their valuable efforts to promote disaster reduction within their communities with worldwide recognition.

The Municipality of La Paz, Bolivia, has been considered a good candidate for a Certificate of Merit due to a very interesting on-going programme that incorporates various aspects such as governance mechanisms, risk management, preventive infrastructure on areas most exposed to landslides and mud avalanches, as well as institutional and capacity building, and training. The step-by-step implementation of this comprehensive programme will constitute a contribution to sustainable urban habitat under the leadership of a committed city major.

SOPAC has been selected to receive a Certificate of Merit, for carrying out and implementing a project of great significance in various multi-disciplinary areas, promoting a better understanding of the risk exposures of the Pacific island countries, their societies and development process. It is also a comprehensible example of sub regional inter-institutional co-operation.

The Award ceremony will take place on 7 October 2004 in Geneva, in the context of the tenth session of the IATF/DR.