UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)
Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
Report on the Outcome
OCHA / Emergency Preparedness Section
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)
• The first Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction was held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 5 – 7 June 2007. • 1150 Participants: 124 United Nations Member States, 20 of whom with ministerial status, plus 105 other regional, inter – governmental and non governmental organizations.
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)
Objectives
Raise awareness on reducing Disaster Risk, share experiences and learn from good practices, assess progress made in implementing the HFA, reiterate commitments to its implementation, identify actions to accelerate national and local implementations.
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)
Structure
High Level Dialogue considered the urgency for all the stakeholders to engage in DRR. A series of workshops addressed thematic priorities of the Hyogo Framework of Action. Plenary Session focused on monitoring progress in the implementation of the HF and identified gaps, opportunities and priorities for further action by ISDR system partners Parallel Meetings and Side Events addressed a range of issues of relevance for DRR.
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)
Outcome of the Session
The main recommendations of the Session can be grouped under three broad topics: 1. Support to Countries efforts 2. Programme Focus 3. Development of ISDR System
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)
Support of Country Efforts
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Action is more urgent than ever as the HF’s sought after outcome of a substantial reduction in disaster losses by 2015 is far to be achieved. ISDR should encourage the sharing of countries’ knowledge and best practices and support the achievement of a number of national platform for DRR. Governments and donors should increase investments in RR needs, with special consideration to funding targets for community level implementation. Countries should establish systems to monitor and report on risk profiles and on the implementation of the HFA. Governments and civil society should engage the private sector to provide better financial risk tools and to contribute in public policy debate and in public – private partnership. ISDR System partners should increase the involvement and commitment of development and environmental stakeholders. International efforts should focus on priority countries and select target sectors, communities and groups that are particularly vulnerable.
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7.
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)
Programme Focus
1. ISDR System partners should disseminate and apply relevant DR tools to support adaptation to Climate Change and work with CC policy makers to develop synergies between the HF and the UNFCCC. All cities and local authorities should create and implement a DRR plan with strong civil society participation. ISDR System partners should strengthen DRR advocacy and educational activities and undertake a critical assessment of the economic and social costs and benefits of RR measures. ISDR System partners should undertake awareness – raising and action to address gender factors in DR and promote women’s participation and leadership in DRR. Governments, donors, NGO’s, professional communities and grassroots organizations should scale up proven practices and build a new level of systematic approaches. ISDR System partners should base scaled – up action needs on scientific and technical data and knowledge on patterns and trends in hazards and vulnerabilities.
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4. 5. 6.
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)
Development of ISDR System
1. Develop the ISDR system’s as multi – stakeholders vehicle for promoting and catalysing engagement and partnership in DRR and for implementing the HFA. Develop the ISDR System’s regional mechanism and thematic capacities; encourage thematic networks and civil society networks. Use the Trust Fund for DR to support ISDR system joint work; support the Secretariat also from the UN regular budget and not only from extra – budgetary sources. Convene a GP every 2 years, focusing on particular themes each session and reviewing progresses, gaps and challenges identified. The Chair and the Secretariat will follow up on the views expressed at the session and strengthen ISDR system by coordinating future action.
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4. 5.
Workshop
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)
Strengthening DRR through Preparedness
• Objective: addressing strengthening disaster Risk Reduction through
Preparedness from the perspective of Best Practices at the local and national level and strategies to support their implementation. Panel I: “How to strengthen DRR through Preparedness at National/ Community level” Participants: Ecuador, Kenya, IFRC, Germany ( Global Fire monitoring Center). • Panel II: “ Ways in which the International Community and National governments can support strengthening of Disaster Risk Reduction through Preparedness” Participants: India, Tajikistan, ECHO, Switzerland ( SDC neighbourhood volunteers projects in Turkey). •
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)
Main conclusions of OCHA panels
• Mainstream preparedness into all aspects of disaster management and create political space to promote disaster preparedness; in this context advocacy is vital. Include preparedness into relief and development with a longer term perspective prioritising « high vulnerability, low capacity countries ». Preparedness projects should have a multi-dimentional approach to disaster management supporting and involving the civil society, public and private actors. Continuous commitment of all stakeholders and political will towards the HFA priority 5 is crucial. Donors are praised to step up their contribution towards preparedness.
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