22 July 2013

UN recognizes Campinas’ lead to reduce disaster risk

Source(s): United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean

Campinas, BRAZIL – The UN office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) today recognized the dynamic and vibrant economic and technological centre of Campinas for its commitment to reduce its disaster risk.

The Head of UNISDR, Margareta Wahlström, officially acknowledged Campinas as Brazil’s first Role Model City of UNISDR's Making Cities Resilient campaign.

She said the award was for Campinas’ efforts to ‘’invest in risk mapping and implement early warning systems’’ and for its lead role in supporting all the municipalities of the metropolitan region of Campinas, in São Paulo state, Brazil.

Mr David Stevens, UNISDR’s Senior Programme Advisor in Brazil and Head of the recently-established UNISDR Centre of Excellence for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR-CEDRR) in Rio de Janeiro, presented a certificate to the Mayor of Campinas, Jonas Donizette, in recognition of the city’s efforts.

During the award ceremony Mr. Donizette said: ‘’This award demonstrates that the city is going in the right direction, adding to efforts in other key areas such as housing, with the delivery of 420 new houses to families living in risk areas, and health, with another 100 new hospital beds.’’

He added: ‘’It is gratifying to know that the example set by Campinas will motivate other municipalities in Brazil to do the same.’’

Campinas is Brazil’s 14th biggest city, with a population of 1.08 million. The city's metropolitan area of Greater Campinas contains 19 municipalities, with a total population of 2.83 million.

Thanks to the dedication of Campinas’ Head of Civil Defence, Mr Sidnei Furtado, all 19 municipalities have joined the Making Cities Resilient campaign. Mr Furtado has been a strong advocate of the campaign helping to increase the number of Brazilian cities that have joined to 56.

The Making Cities Resilient campaign aims to raise awareness of the benefits of reducing urban risk. It encourages governments to invest in disaster risk reduction and build more resilient infrastructure. Globally, almost 1,500 towns and cities have joined the campaign. Campinas joins 40 other Role Model cities around the world.

Mr Stevens thanked the Mayor of Campinas for his support to the campaign and highlighted the city’s work in reducing disaster risks and urged Brazil’s 5,570 other municipalities to follow Campinas’ lead.