Americas experts commit to Sendai Framework

BOGOTA, 14 August 2015 – Experts from the Americas have pledged to spur moves to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, a 15-year global plan that aims to rein in mortality and losses caused by natural and man-made hazards.

“We must be at the forefront of compliance with the objectives and goals of Sendai for the protection of and improved quality of life on the planet,” said Major General Miguel Ernesto Perez Guarnizo, Director-General of Colombian Civil Defense.

The Colombian capital Bogota recently played hosted to the 2nd Regional Conference for the Exchange of Information in Civil and Military Operations for Disaster Risk Management, which drew experts from countries including the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the United States.

Besides representatives of the national civil defence organizations and armed forces of the Latin American countries taking part, the delegates included members of the U.S. Southern Command, the Pacific Disaster Center, and the South Carolina National Guard, whose home state is no stranger to hurricanes.

Participants adopted a Statement of Agreement underlining their commitment to raising awareness and driving forward the implementation of the Sendai Framework, which was adopted in March at the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.

Like many countries in the Americas, conference host Colombia faces a string of hazards, ranging from floods and earthquakes to landslides, volcanic eruptions and wildfires. Floods are the most frequent, as well as being responsible for almost two-thirds of economic losses.

The Sendai Framework seeks to make the world safer from the hazards that all too often claim lives, destroy livelihoods and undermine development. Making risk reduction part and parcel of all areas of policy planning is crucial, as is targeted action on underlying risk drivers such as poverty, disease, climate change, unplanned urbanization, population growth, poor land management, decimation of ecosystems, and weak governance and policies.

The Statement of Agreement seeks to promote work in consortium to contribute to reducing disaster impacts in terms of deaths, harm to physical and mental health, lost livelihoods, environmental and infrastructure damage, as well as the overall economic, social and institutional impacts.

Such regional cooperation, wherever in the world it takes place, will be a crucial way to achieve the goals of the Sendai Framework.

Also taking part in the conference were representatives of the disaster risk reduction-focused academic network REDULAC/RRD, Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, its National Firefighter System, the Colombian Red Cross, the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM), Agustín CodazziI Geographic Institute (IGAC), the School of Military Engineers, Army, National Police and National Parks, among others.

The author is Adviser to the Director-General of Colombian Civil Defense.