|
|
| Our mandate |
| |
Europe presents very heterogeneous risk patterns consistent with a region of both highly developed countries in western Europe and more challenged regions, for example in parts of eastern Europe and the Caucasus.
Despite the wealth of expertise, knowledge and know-how in disaster risk reduction, statistics show that vulnerability to disasters in the Europe is increasing.
Europe is exposed to a variety of natural hazards, including storms, drought, floods, earthquake and landslides. In terms of drought, mortality risk is not significant anywhere in the region. In contrast, in terms of economic loss, large parts of Southern Europe appear as a hotspot in both absolute and relative terms.
In the case of floods, while part of Eastern Europe show significant mortality risk, however large parts of northern, central and south-eastern Europe and the Caucasus are considered a hotspot in terms of economic loss. Similarly in the case of both earthquakes and landslides, parts of Europe are a hotspot for both mortality and economic loss risk.
In view of the above and as a direct follow-up to the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (January 2005, Kobe, Japan) and at the request of the 168 UN Member States grouped together on the occasion, the UN/ISDR has established a regional presence to cover Europe. The UN/ISDR regional coordinator is located at UN/ISDR secretariat HQ in Geneva. |
| |
Mission
The ISDR aims at building disaster resilient communities by promoting increased awareness of the importance of disaster reduction as an integral component of sustainable development, with the goal of reducing human, social, economic and environmental losses due to natural hazards and related technological and environmental disasters. The ISDR aims at building disaster resilient communities by promoting increased awareness of the importance of disaster reduction as an integral component of sustainable development, with the goal of reducing human, social, economic and environmental losses due to natural hazards and related technological and environmental disasters. |
|
|
| Objectives |
Recognizing that natural hazards can threaten any one of us, the ISDR builds on partnerships and takes a global approach to disaster reduction, seeking to involve every individual and every community towards the goals of reducing the loss of lives, the socio-economic setbacks and the environmental damages caused by natural hazards. In order to achieve these goals, the ISDR promotes four objectives as tools towards reaching disaster reduction for all:
Increase public awareness to understand risk, vulnerability and disaster reduction globally
The more people, regional organizations, governments, non-governmental organizations, United Nations entities, representatives of civil society and others know about risk, vulnerability and how to manage the impacts of natural hazards, the more disaster reduction measures will be implemented in all sectors of society. Prevention begins with information.
Obtain commitment from public authorities to implement disaster reduction policies and actions
The more decision-makers at all levels commit themselves to disaster reduction policies and actions, the sooner communities vulnerable to disasters will benefit from applied disaster reduction policies and actions. This requires, in part, a grassroots approach whereby communities at risk are fully informed and participate in risk management initiatives.
Stimulate interdisciplinary and intersectoral partnerships, including the expansion of risk reduction networks
The more entities active in disaster reduction share information on their research and practices, the more useful the global body of knowledge and experience will progress. By sharing a common purpose and through collaborative efforts we can ensure a world that is more resilient to the impact of natural hazards.
Improve scientific knowledge about disaster reduction
The more we know about the causes and consequences of natural hazards and related technological and environmental disasters on societies, the more we are able to be better prepared to reduce risks. Bringing the scientific community and policy makers together allows them to contribute to and complement each other's work.
The core mandate of the UN/ISDR Europe includes awareness-raising activities in disaster risk reduction, including the promotion of the World Disaster Reduction Campaign, advocacy through policy formulation, the dissemination of guidelines to assist in the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), promote the establishment of national platforms for disaster risk reduction, enhance networking and partnership-building to contribute to an effective culture of safety and protection of all communities in Europe.
The UN/ISDR Europe will work through a growing network of national platforms to mobilize governmental actions in disaster risk reduction as well as directly with the governments in the region, as mandated though the HFA, and in particular with the UN Country Team members. It will also build effectively on the regional organizations, partners and networks to facilitate the effective implementation of Disaster Risk Reducion (DRR) strategies.
|
|
|
|
