Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction

The increasing impact of disasters on people and assets has demonstrated the need to strengthen disaster preparedness for response and prepare for recovery ahead of disaster. The recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction phase is a critical opportunity to “Build Back Better”, including through integrating disaster risk reduction into development measures. Lessons learnt from the past disaster response and recovery efforts point to the need for the institutionalization of post-disaster assessments and recovery planning to enhance risk governance, and strengthen coordination of governments, civil society, and other stakeholders, including through both structural and non-structural measures.

To address such gaps, the Sendai Framework global targets set forth the achievements required for the world to reduce both disaster loss and risk, and increase resilience. Sendai Framework Priority 4, in particular, contributes to achieving these targets through its two-fold emphasis on enhancing preparedness for effective response and ‘building back better’ in recovery.

It is equally important to maintain an institutional continuum between preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation and sustainable development measures. Empowering women and persons with disabilities to lead and promote gender equitable and universally accessible response, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction approaches is key.

The special session will share current progress and challenges in enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and ‘Build Back Better’ in recovery and reconstruction through shared lessons learned. The session will also aim to unfold Priority 4 in order to contribute to the delivery of the Sendai Framework targets. Particular attention will also discuss how national and local disaster risk reduction strategies should be designed to ensure “enhancing disaster preparedness” and “build back better”.

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Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction