European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction holds session at IDRC Davos 2010

The European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) organized a special event on European National Platforms in collaboration with UNISDR Europe, the Council of Europe European and Mediterranean Major Hazards Agreement (EUR-OPA), the European Commission and UNESCO.

The goal was to discuss experiences from European National Platforms (NPs). These need to be built on national and local conditions, cultures, and structures, should reflect the needs of their constituencies and can serve as laboratories of ideas to promote innovation for DRR initiatives. The event introduced the newly established European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction, which brings together National Platforms, Hyogo Framework for Action Focal Points and regional organizations to jointly reduce vulnerabilities in Europe.

> More information on the Special Session at IDRC Davos 2010

Mayors from around the world declare commitment to making cities resilient to climate change

Mayors from 22 cities in 19 countries gathered in Bonn, Germany to launch the Mayors Adaptation Forum - the first annual platform of the World Mayors Council on Climate Change to help local leaders with advocacy and local adaptation practices. The Bonn Declaration of the Mayors Adaptation Forum commits to the implementation and monitoring of the Making Cities Resilient campaign, and urges the international climate community to recognize the increased leadership of local governments in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

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My City is Getting Ready, Is Yours? UNISDR launches 2010-11 World Disaster Reduction Campaign

With more than half the world’s population living in urban areas, cities are particularly vulnerable to the risks of natural hazards, such as earthquakes, drought and floods. To strengthen a city’s readiness to reduce disaster impacts, the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction is launching this Sunday, 30 May 2010 in Bonn, Germany, a new campaign to raise awareness and boost commitment for sustainable development practices that will increase a city’s well-being and safety.

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UNISDR at Cities on Volcanoes 6 (COV6)

Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, May 31 - June 4, 2010

Volcanic risks are of great urban concern, as many settlements are situated on volcano flanks or in historic paths of mud and lava flows. COV6-Tenerife is an international forum where experts will discuss ways to improve volcanic risk management in densely populated volcanic regions. Henri Gaudru, President of the European Volcanologist Society, will present the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction as well as the 2010-11 World Disaster Reduction Campaign “Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready” at the meeting.

> More information on 'Cities on Volcanoes 6'

Finland launches National Platform

UNISDR Europe is pleased to announce that the Republic of Finland has launched its National Platform (NP) for Disaster Risk Reduction under the coordination of the Department for Rescue Services of the Ministry of Interior.

We would like to congratulate Finland on advancing its disaster risk reduction agenda.

> More information on the Finnish National Platform

New National Platform in Europe – Republic of Croatia

UNISDR Europe has the great pleasure to announce that the Republic of Croatia has lunched its National Platform (NP) for Disaster Risk Reduction under the coordination of the National Protection and Rescue Directorate.
You can find out more on the new National Platform, its compositions and objectives at:

http://www.preventionweb.net/english/hyogo/national/list/v.php?id=43

Congratulations to Croatia for its commitment and advances in addressing disaster risk reduction issues.

Meeting of UNISDR Director, Dr Sálvano Briceño, with President of the FYR of Macedonia, Dr Gjorge Ivanov, Skopje, 3-4 November 2009

The UNISDR Director and the Regional Coordinator for Europe have been invited by Macedonia for a high level exchange on disaster risk reduction issues.

The President of the FYR of Macedonia, Dr Gjorge Ivanov, spoke to UNISDR of the importance that Macedonia gives to the issue of reducing vulnerability to disasters in a climate change environment.
Exchanges with the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Vladimir Pesevski, focused on the economic aspect of disasters, while the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ms Gordana Jankulovska, spoke of the commitment towards a coordinated approach in disaster risk reduction. During this visit, organized by Dr Pande Lazarevski, Director of the Macedonian Crisis Management Centre (CMC), Ms Gordana Jankulovska called for a NPs meeting chaired by the Minister of Internal Affairs, during which it has emerged a key interest towards starting the implementation phase of the NP activities.

The FYR Macedonia commitment towards reducing vulnerability is also very active in the international arena through its presence within EUR-OPA, DPPI for SEE and close collaboration with UNISDR.
At regional level and as part of its commitment, the FYR of Macedonia is co-chairing the recently established European Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction "European Regional Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction".

For more information contact Géraldine Boezio at isdr-europe@un.org

Meeting Of European National Platforms and HFA Focal Points, 11–13 November 2009, London (UK)

The UK Cabinet Office in collaboration with the Council of Europe (European and Mediterranean Major Hazards Agreement (EUR-OPA) and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Secretariat (UNISDR) organized the European National Platforms and Focal Points meeting from 11 – 13 November 2009 in London.

The objectives of this meeting were to:

-    discuss the establishment of the European Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR);
-    view developments on private-public partnership (insurance for disaster risk reduction) in Europe;
-    prepare for Copenhagen (COP 15);
-    discuss and engage in the HFA mid-term review

While more details on the meeting outcome will be available shortly, we are pleased to inform you that the Regional Forum on DRR has been established. The European NPs, HFA Focal Points and sub-regional organisations (EUR-OPA, EC, DPPI SEE, RCC SEE and A European Network of NPs) are part of this body addressing DRR advances in Europe. Sweden will be chairing the Regional Forum for DRR and it will be co-chaired by the FYR of Macedonia.

For more information contact Géraldine Boezio at isdr-europe@un.org or view full event information

Implementing the Hyogo Framework for Action in Europe: advances and challenges

The main objective of this report is to identify key trends in terms of progress made and challenges faced at both national and regional levels through the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) in Europe between 2007 and 2009.

This review includes elements based on reports received from countries and regional organizations that responded to the HFA monitoring requirements by providing national reports and information on regional bodies. The countries are: Armenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, FYR of Macedonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

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The structure, role and mandate of civil protection in disaster risk reduction for South Eastern Europe

This document was undertaken in the context of the second focus area of SEEDRMAP, in 2008, and reviews the coordination of disaster mitigation, preparedness and response among the Civil Protection actors of SEE, identifying needs both with respect to staff capacity and training and in terms of disaster risk reduction facilities, with a focus on preparedness and response.

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