Progress in reducing disaster risk and implementing Hyogo Framework for Action in the Arab Region

This report is a review of risk reduction and Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) implementation in the Arab Region leading to the development of the First Regional synthesis report. It provides the first step towards benchmarking current progress, highlighting the linkage between the national monitoring process via "HFA Monitor" – as part of countries’ commitment to HFA - and global assessment processes that lead to development of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction as a biennial global report, which was first launched in May 2009.

It focuses on: (i) identifying key trends, progress and good practices in the Arab region with respect to disaster risk reduction; (ii) providing a succinct regional overview on HFA implementation that is based on available national data (country reports) and regional data (mapping risk reduction initiatives by regional organizations); (iii) identifying main gaps and challenges facing the region to accomplish progress in HFA implementation; (iv) proposing recommendations for future actions and prioritization of disaster risk reduction on the regional and national agendas.

This joint review was commissioned by the League of Arab States and UNISDR Regional Office. The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery provided additional financial support and several UN agencies and regional technical organizations provided substantive input to this review.