International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024; October 13th.

FORUM: “Empowering the next generation for a resilient future.” International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024. Increasing disasters, many of them driven and exacerbated by climate change, threaten the well-being of children and youth. According to UNICEF, approximately one billion children worldwide are at extremely high risk due to climate impacts, including climate-related disasters. In 2022, the number of children affected by flooding in Chad, Gambia, Pakistan and Bangladesh was the highest in over 30 years . Beyond the risk of death and injury, children in the aftermath of a disaster face cascading impacts such as disruptions in schooling, nutrition, and healthcare and protection issues. To protect children from disasters, countries must consider their vulnerabilities and needs when designing national and local disaster risk reduction strategies. It is equally important that children and youth be empowered and provided “the space and modalities to contribute to disaster risk reduction,” as called for in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. This also aligns with the calls to action of the Political Declaration of the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework, which called for “the full, equal, meaningful and inclusive participation” of youth and the promotion of "a culture of disaster prevention.” Empowering children, especially through education, can enable them to protect themselves and to become agents of change in their families and communities by sharing what they learned. This is particularly relevant in the context of the global push to expand early warning systems under the UN Secretary-General’s Early Warnings for All initiative. To achieve the goal of the Sendai Framework of reducing global disaster risks and losses, the theme of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2024, which falls on 13 October, will highlight the role of education in protecting and empowering youth for a disaster-free future. The theme is aligned with the Summit of the Future, planned for September 2024, where ‘youth and future generations’ will be one of its five priorities. The observance of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024 calls on countries to harness the education sector to reduce the disaster risks of school-aged children, especially by investing in two key areas: 1. Protect children and youth through safe schools and education facilities: children are entitled to be safe in their schools and this starts with ensuring schools are disaster-resilient and are part of disaster early warning systems. 2. Empower children and youth to be safe through age-appropriate education to understand and act on the risks they face. This includes building their preparedness to take early action in response to early warnings. Empowered children become agents of change for more resilient communities. 3. Endorse and implement the Comprehensive School Safety Framework 2022-2030 , developed by the Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Education Sector (GADRRRES), which is chaired by UNESCO and UNICEF. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #ResilienceForAll, #DRRday, #13October, #SendaiFramework, #DisasterRiskReduction, #AreYouReady24, #SafeChildrenSafeSchools.

EVENTS: On October 13th, a webinar will be held to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024. Partners are encouraged to publish and share success stories around the calls to action. Examples include: • Publicizing national endorsements of the Comprehensive School Safety Framework. • The retrofitting or construction of schools to be resilient to disasters. • Insertion of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in school curricula. • School-organized disaster evacuation drills. • Creation of engaging learning materials and activities, such as cartoons, comics, competitions, songs or films, aimed at educating children about disaster risks. • Teacher-led demonstrations of the UNDRR-created ‘Stop Disasters’ video game.Get the list of Upcoming events!

Activities for kids: See the latest materials including children's books, textbooks, lesson plans, activities, games, and online resources on disaster prevention and school safety. Explore materials!

Colouring Pages: These colouring pages can be printed and used in pedagogical activities with children to raise awareness on disaster preparedness. Print and color!

Interactive maps: Explore the most Significant Disasters, Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Tropical Storms!

Watch the Regional Dialogue: Empowering the next generation for a resilient Future.

PUBLICATION: This guide “Engaging Children and Youth in Disaster Risk Reduction in Resilience Building.” offers specific advice on implementing a feasible, people-centered approach to supporting and engaging children in disaster risk reduction and resilience-building. Read the guide!

The UNDRR has released the results of the 2023 Global Survey on Persons with Disabilities and Disasters, which is the first global look at how persons with disabilities perceive current national and local disaster risk reduction measures since 2013.

STATEMENTS

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General for the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024, October 13th.

Climate disasters are hurting countries and economies like never before.

Ever-rising greenhouse gas emissions are supercharging extreme weather events across the planet.

I saw first-hand the devastation unleashed by the recent floods in Pakistan.

These increasing calamities cost lives and hundreds of billions of dollars in loss and damage.

Three times more people are displaced by climate disasters than war.

Half of humanity is already in the danger zone.

The world is failing to invest in protecting the lives and livelihoods of those on the front line.

Those who have done the least to cause the climate crisis are paying the highest price.

Entire populations are being blindsided by cascading climate disasters without any means of prior alert.

People need adequate warning to prepare for extreme weather events.

That is why I am calling for universal early warning coverage in the next five years.

Early warning systems – and the ability to act on them – are proven life-savers.

This is shown clearly by a new report today from the World Meteorological Organization and United Nations Office of Disaster Risk Reduction.

The report reveals that such services are woefully lacking for those who need them most.

At the COP27 climate conference in Egypt, I will launch an action plan to provide early warning systems for all within five years.

I urge all governments, international financial institutions and civil society to support it.

This new report is yet another reminder that real and concrete action on loss and damage must be global priority.

Delivering on loss and damage at COP27 will be an important litmus test for rebuilding trust between developed and developing countries.

On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, I call on all countries to invest in early warning systems and support those who lack capacity.

Extreme weather events will happen.

But they do not need to become deadly disasters.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Statement of the Head of UNDRR on International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024; October 13th.

For this year's International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, we are calling on countries to do more to protect and empower children and youth through education.

First, we have to ensure that every single school that is built - in our efforts to achieve universal education - every single school that is built has to be built in a manner that it can withstand disasters that are likely to occur in the areas that they are built. And where we already have schools, we have to begin to retrofit them so that they can withstand the hazards that they are exposed to.

The second ask we have is that all children must have access to the best possible information and knowledge on different aspects of disaster risk management.

They should be aware of the hazards that they are exposed to.They should be fully equipped with knowledge to deal with those hazards to keep themselves safe in the face of those hazards and take this message home to their families as well so that they can challenge their parents.

They can challenge their elder ones.To invest in resilience, to be aware of the risks that they are exposed to and to take necessary steps.

The third ask we have is that all countries endorse the Comprehensive School Safety Framework 2022 to 2030, which supports the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.I would like all countries to sign off on that program and make sure that by 2030 we have 100% coverage in terms of school safety across the world if we do that, we will be really acting with a sense of responsibility towards ourselves, towards our society and towards our future generations.

UNDRR head Mr. Kamal Kishore.

LIVESTREAM: GAR Special Report 2024 - The Disaster Forensic Approach.

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023; October 13th.

FORUM: “Fighting inequality for a resilient future.” International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023. The 2023 edition takes place shortly after the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, where the United Nations General Assembly in May 2023 adopted a political declaration to accelerate action to strengthen disaster resilience. The Day’s theme aligns with the Sendai Framework, the international agreement to prevent and reduce losses in lives, livelihoods, economies and basic infrastructure. It has seven global targets and 38 indicators for measuring progress. The Sendai Framework complements the Paris Agreement on climate change, with both frameworks interlinked to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2023, the International Day will look at the reciprocal relationship between disasters and inequality. Inequality and disaster vulnerability are two sides of the same coin: unequal access to services, such as finance and insurance, leaves the most at risk exposed to the danger of disasters; while disaster impacts exacerbate inequalities and push the most at risk further into poverty. How are YOU fighting inequality for a resilient future?;Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #ResilienceForAll, #BreakTheCycle, #DRRday, #13October,#SendaiFramework, #DisasterRiskReduction.

EVENTS: Launch of the 2023 Global Survey on Persons with Disabilities and Disasters during the observance of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023 on October 13th. Disasters impact everyone but have a disproportionate impact on persons with disabilities – not because of individual impairments but society’s barriers. That is why UNDRR has been championing disability inclusion since before the adoption of the Sendai Framework when it commissioned the first global survey on disability and disasters in 2013. The results of an updated survey, will be published to show what progress has been made and what barriers remain. Participate in an event, promote one, or join the conversation on fighting inequality for a resilient future. Get the list of Upcoming Events!

STATEMENTS: 

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General for the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023, October 13th.

2023 has shattered temperature records, and seen record drought, fire and floods around the world. Poverty and inequality are exacerbating these disasters.

Those with least are often at greatest risk from extreme weather. They may live in places that are more susceptible to flooding and drought; and they have fewer resources to deal with damage and to recover from it. They suffer disproportionately as a result, and may be pushed further into poverty.

Fighting inequality for a resilient future, is the theme of this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. Countries must work to break the cycle of poverty and disaster by honouring the Paris Agreement, striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

We must also tackle inequality at the global level, by operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28 [twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] this year and ensuring that every person on Earth is covered by an early warning system by 2027.

This International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction let us reaffirm our commitment to investing in resilience and adaptation, and building a safe and just future for everyone, everywhere.

United Nations Secretary-General.

Statement of the Head of UNDRR on International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023; October 13th.

90% of climate-related deaths occur in poorer countries. Even in wealthier countries, the majority of disaster victims are the poorest and those already facing social and economic inequality.

In the shocking findings of our disability survey, launched today, 84% of persons with disabilities feel they are unprepared to respond in the event of a disaster.

Inequality, in all its forms, is a major driver of disaster risk. That is because poverty and inequality create the conditions that force communities to live in hazardous areas, with weak infrastructure and housing. Inequality inhibits access to information, services and warnings.

And after a disaster, it takes vulnerable communities much longer to recover and people are often driven further into poverty. We must break this cycle of inequality, disaster, repeat.

On the 2023 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction we say: “No more”. No more inequality. No more leaving people behind. No more climate injustice. No one is safe from the threat of disasters, until everyone is safe.

This means countries must urgently prioritise the roll out of inclusive, multi-hazard early warning systems so that everyone, regardless of where they are, is protected and prepared.

It also means adequately funding disaster risk reduction, whether that is through international assistance, public or private investment, and prioritising developing countries to help them avoid disasters.

By supporting the poorest and most vulnerable countries and taking care of the most at-risk within all countries, we can ensure no one is left behind and empower people to prosper with equality and resilience.

With the right decisions and actions now, we can protect every life from disasters.

We can and we must.

Thank you.

UNDRR Director general.

KEY MESSAGES

• Poverty, inequality and discrimination are causes and consequences of growing disaster risk.
•  Inequality creates the conditions that render people exposed and vulnerable to disasters. Disasters also disproportionately impact the poorest and most at risk people, thus worsening inequality. Reducing vulnerability to disasters requires addressing these dimensions.
• By 2030, with current climate projections, the world will face some 560 disasters per year. An additional estimated 37.6 million people will be living in conditions of extreme poverty due to the impacts of climate change and disasters by 2030. A “worst case” scenario of climate change and disasters will push an additional 100.7 million into poverty by 2030.
• We can curb the destructive power of hazards—in other words, stop them from turning into disasters—through careful and coordinated planning that is designed to reduce people’s exposure and vulnerability to harm. 
• Greater investments are needed in the collection and use of disaggregated data, both to better understand disproportionate disaster impacts and exposure, and to inform resilience-building plans.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

• We must break the cycle of disaster > growing inequality > repeat. 
• We can curb the destructive power of hazards—in other words, stop them from turning into disasters—through careful and coordinated planning that is designed to reduce people’s exposure and vulnerability to harm. 
• We must accelerate the implementation of the Early Warnings for All initiative to ensure everyone on earth is covered by early warnings in the next four years, prioritizing the most at-risk communities
• Greater investments are needed in the collection and use of disaggregated data, both to better understand disproportionate disaster impacts and exposure, and to
• Member States must prioritise their commitments to achieving the Sendai Framework and SDGs, especially the reduction of poverty and inequality, while urgently addressing disaster risk and vulnerability with a focus on the most vulnerable communities 
• Global decision makers must make our financial system fit for purpose in delivering finance for the most climate-vulnerable countries. 
• We need to deliver economic resilience for the most at risk from disastersCountries must engage, build capacity and empower groups in all DRR decision making processes. 
• Countries must ensure that the most at risk, including women, older persons and persons with disabilities are meaningfully included.

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2022; October 13th.

 FORUM: " Early warning and early action for all.'' International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2022.

This year on October 13th, the International Day will focus on Target G of the Sendai Framework: “Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by 2030.”. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #DRRday, #EarlyWarning, #EarlyAction, #13October, #EarlyWarningForAll, #DisasterRiskReduction.

The primary goal of disaster risk reduction is prevention. But when that is not possible, then it is important to minimize the harm to people, assets and livelihoods through early warning systems.

STATEMENTS

1. Statement by the United Nations Secretaral-General on International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2022.
2. Statement by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR on International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2022.

OBJECTIVES

Acknowledge the progress being made toward reducing disaster risk and losses in lives.

LEARN AND INFORM 

How the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is raising awareness, availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments.

TAKE ACTION

Participate in an event, promote one, or join the conversation.

WEBINARS:

International Day for Disaster Reduction 2015, October 13

 国际减灾日, 10月13日.

International Day for Disaster Reduction,13 October.

Día Internacional para la Reducción de los Desastres,13 de octubre.

Journée internationale de la prévention des catastrophes, 13 octobre.

 Международный день уменьшения опасности бедствий, 13 октября.

 اليوم الدولي للحد من الكوارث، 13 أكتوبر

 2015年主题：传统、土著和地方知识的力量

 Theme 2015 : Knowledge for life.

 Tema de 2015: Conocimiento para la vida.

 Thème 2015 :  Des connaissances pour la vie

 Тема Дня 2015 года «Знания во имя жизни»

 موضوع عام 2015: المعرفة للحياة

#IDDR2015

United Nations Secretary-General's Message for the International Day for Disaster Reduction 2015.

This year’s observance of the International Day for Disaster Reduction is dedicated to the power of traditional, indigenous and local knowledge.
In March 2015 in Sendai, Japan, I met with the President of Vanuatu, His Excellency Baldwin Lonsdale, at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. On that very day, his island nation was devastated by Cyclone Pam, one of the strongest storms ever to strike the Pacific.
The force of the storm led to expectations that there would be great loss of life. Thankfully, this was not the case. One reason was that cyclone shelters built in the traditional style from local materials, saved many lives.
Traditional and indigenous knowledge is the indispensable information base for many societies seeking to live in harmony with nature and adapt to disruptive weather events, a warming globe and rising seas.
In Cameroon, low-tech local knowledge passed down from generation to generation helps farmers to cope with drought by soaking maize and bean seeds before planting. Another time-honoured practice -- sprinkling ash over the maize and seeds for a couple of months -- helps keep pests away.
Resilience is the sum of many such acts of disaster risk reduction at the local level.
In the Arctic region, we depend greatly on the local knowledge of indigenous peoples to understand the impacts of climate change, because what happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic.
Changes that affect the availability of traditional food sources highlight the challenge that climate change presents for all of humanity, not just people living in the Arctic.
Local knowledge of the impacts of urbanization, population growth, eco-system decline and greenhouse gas emissions is especially important in an era when more and more disasters are climate- and weather-related.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction recognizes the importance of community-level engagement in disaster risk reduction. It also underlines how traditional knowledge can complement scientific knowledge in disaster risk management.  Building resilience to disasters is also a key feature of the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals, the framework that will guide our efforts to end poverty and promote shared prosperity on a healthy planet by 2030.
On this International Day, let us recognize the efforts of communities, large and small, who put their wisdom to use in reducing disaster risk and sharing their precious “knowledge for life”.

Ban Ki-moon

 Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO , on the occasion of International  Day for Disaster Reduction 2015, 0ctober 13th.

 Knowledge saves lives .  

This day is an opportunity to focus on the vital importance of traditional indigenous and local knowledge in disaster risk reduction with respect  to natural hazards. The contribution of indigenous and local knowledge  to resilience among vul nerable populations was highlighted when the tsunami occurred in the Indian Ocean in 2004 .  

The third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (14-18 March 2015) in Sendai , Japan, particularly emphasized the need to make  this knowledge better known for the benefit of all. The Sendai Framework thus  campaigns for greater cooperation between governments, local authorities,  communities and indigenous peoples in the formulation and implementation of policies and standards for natural disaster prevention. UNESCO is firmly engaged in this process, through its scientific, educational and  cultural expertise. UNESCO  is committed to the widest possible dissemination of indigenous knowledge to meet the challenges of climate change and natural hazards, especially in remote areas such as small islands, high altitude zones and  the humid tropics.  

UNESCO has launched an initiative in the Philippines, Timor-Leste and Indonesia to record local 

knowledge that helps to predict, mitigate and adapt to storms, cyclones and the effects of climate change .  

It all demonstrate s the  profound knowledge and mastery of the environment by the peoples who live there,  which we must urgently include in  natural  disaster management policies. On the island of Ambae , in Vanuatu, UNESCO  has helped to develop a participatory approach so as to integrate tr aditional and scientific knowledge in the  management of volcanic hazards.  

On the occasion of this Internation al Day, we are  inviting Vanuatu schoolchildren recently affected by Tropical Cyclone Pam to write essays, poems and stories that depict the use of traditional and local knowledge .  

This traditional and indigenous knowledge also helps to protect the cultural heritage against natural hazards and UNESCO is committed to making the best use of it. Effective and sustainable disaster risk prevention requires the combination of  indigenous practices and knowledge with scientific expertise. 

We cannot afford to ignore the knowledge available to us; instead, we must expand on and integrate  knowledge and expertise wherever  they may be found.  

I invite all of our partners and governments to promote this global vision: it is the key to building societies that  are all the more resilient when they are inclusive . 

Irina Bokova

Facts and Figures

• More than 226 million people are affected by disasters every year. Over the last 40 years, most of the 3.3 million deaths caused by disasters occurred in poorer nations.
• In 2000-2010, over 680,000 people died in earthquakes. Most of these deaths, due to poorly-built buildings, could have been prevented.
• Less than 0.7 per cent of total relief aid goes to disaster risk reduction, although every dollar spent on preparedness saves 7 dollars in response.
• Between 2002 and 2011, there were 4,130 recorded disasters from natural hazards around the world, in which more than 1.117 million people perished and a minimum of US$1,195 billion was recorded in losses.
• In East Asia and the Pacific, the risks of dying from floods and cyclones have decreased by two thirds since 1980.

FORUM :  International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction - 13 October

This year's international Day for Disaster Reduction highlights the value of traditional, indigenous and local knowledge.

• IDDR 2015 Concept Note
• Indigenous knowledge for disaster risk reduction: good practices and lessons learned from experiences in the Asia-Pacific regione 
•  Local and indigenous knowledge for community resilience
•  Looking Beyond Disasters

Knowledge for life - Stories

EVENTS : International Day for Disaster Reduction 2015.

The International Day for Disaster Reduction started in 1989 with the approval by the United Nations General Assembly. The UN General Assembly sees International Day as a way to promote a global culture of disaster reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness. Originally celebrated on the second Wednesday of October, the UN General Assembly decided in 2009 to designate October 13th as the date to celebrate IDDR.

The International Day for Disaster Reduction is a day to celebrate how people and communities are reducing their risk to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of DRR. It's also a day to encourage every citizen and government to take part in building more disaster resilient communities and nations.
The 2015 theme for the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is part of a Step Up initiative started in 2011.

Date	Title	Location
06 Oct - 16 Dec 2015	Armenia: DRR Campaign Announced Dedicated to the IDDR15 Organization: ARNAP, Armenia - gov This year's campaign within the framework for the International Day for Disaster Reduction has been announced. Together with their stakeholders, the Disaster Risk Reduction National Platform of Armenia have organized a variety of workshops and events throughout October, November and December. Organized events: Event Organizer Training on "Environmental Emergency Management and FEAT Integration in Armenia"  UNDP, CMSA, MTAES, UN...	Armenia
09-10 Oct 2015	Cambodian Red Cross celebrating International Day for Disaster Reduction Organization: CRC Cambodian Red Cross is again celebrating International Day for Disaster Reduction / ASEAN Day for Disaster Management. This year is a special one as Cambodia is chair of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM). Accordingly, the Cambodian Red Cross and IFRC country delegation will: Join the ACDM events October 9-10 at the Royal University of Phnom Pemh, hosted by National Committee for Disaster Management. Cambodian Red Cross and IFRC will...	Cambodia (Phnom Penh)
09 Oct 2015	Summit of Conscience for the Climate: Ifugao tribe ceremony Organization: UNISDR AP To celebrate International Day for Disaster Reduction, Asian Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction Senator Loren Legarda and Jerry Velasquez from UNISDR will invite representatives of the Ifugao tribe to receive a certificate recognizing them as Champions for Disaster Risk Reduction. The Ifugoa tribe has been particularly active in protecting the 2,000-year-old Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, a UNESCO world heritage site. The preservation...	Philippines (Metro Manila)
09 Oct 2015	Vietnam: International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 - Knowledge for Life Organization: CCN For the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDRR) in 2015, the members of the Climate Change Network (CCN) in the Centre of Vietnam have co-organized an event with the theme "Knowledge for Life" launched by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). Objectives: Create the opportunities to share and strengthen the awareness on using indigenous knowledge and experience together with scientific knowledge to manage...	Viet Nam (Da Nang)
10 Oct 2015	Italy: Flash-Mob to Celebrate "Community Champion IDDR 2015 “Knowledge For Life” Award Organization: Prov di Potenza, Italy - gov To celebrate the presentation of the award “Champion in the Reduction of the Disaster Risk for IDDR 2015” to the Province of Potenza on the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) 13th of October, the province is organizing the filming of a “flash-mob” to be sent to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Background: The theme this year for the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR) is “Knowledge...	Italy (Potenza)
13 Oct 2015	#IDDR2015 in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands Organization: ULL The city and university will together celebrate International Day for Disaster Reduction in order to create awareness of the importance of disaster risk reduction actions. The Convento de Santo Domingo will host a set of participatory lectures on the role of traditional and local knowledge in complementing scientific studies on disaster risk management, and the importance of the participatory and community approaches to implement the Sendai Framework...	Canary Islands (Spain) (Tenerife)
13 Oct 2015	60 Solutions Against Climate Change: Exhibition Opening Organization: AFD, France - gov; Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Philippines - gov; Représentation permanente de la France, France - gov; UNISDR To celebrate International Day for Disaster Reduction, UNISDR will join the French and the Philippines Missions in Geneva and the French Agency for Development (AFD) and officially open Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s new exhibition “Sixty solutions against climate change”. It will be exhibited for one week, from the 13-20 October, on the Passerelle of the Palais des Nations, the United Nations’ office in Geneva. The exhibition opening...	Switzerland (Geneva)
13-14 Oct 2015	8th Australasian Natural Hazards Management Conference: Risk, Capability and Impact The State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) Secretariat of Western Australia will host the 8th Australasian Natural Hazards Management (ANHM) Conference, with support from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC. The conference coincides with the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on 13 October, and to acknowledge this the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC is hosting a discussion panel as part of the conference. The panel, featuring three...	Australia (Perth)
13 Oct 2015	Bangkok: Thai Red Cross Society special event for International Day for Disaster Reduction Organization: Thai Red Cross Thai Red Cross will hold activities on at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. Around 500 participants – volunteers, staff, Youth volunteers, the media and general public – are expected. The event will include: A press conference An exhibition about community-based disaster risk reduction activities A seminar on disaster resilience Games and a Q&A about disasters, disaster preparedness and response with prizes Distribution of information,...	Thailand (Bangkok)
13 Oct 2015	Bangladesh: Commemeration of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction National Alliance For Risk reduction & Response Intitiatve (NARRI), a consortium of 10 INGOs working in Bangladesh, is commemorating the International Day for Disaster Risk and Reduction on the 13th of October. NARRI contributes to the development of posters and pamphlets and is planning to have stalls with the department of Disaster Management Government of Bangladesh, displaying different contents on knowledge for life Government officials,...	Bangladesh (Dhaka)
13 Oct 2015	Bosnia-Herzegovina: International Day for Disaster Reduction Organization: UN Theme The theme of this year’s International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) is knowledge for life with a toning on indigenous knowledge and traditional coping mechanisms that complement modern science and add to an individual’s or societies’ resilience. In our adaptation of the theme to BiH we interpret the heading ‘Knowledge for Life’ in its broadest sense; focusing on how the combination of natural hazards, exposure,...	Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo)
13 Oct 2015	Celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Knowledge for DRR in the Philippines Organization: PRC The Philippine Red Cross, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, University of the Philippines and the Center for Disaster Preparedness are working together to celebrate the International Day for Disaster Reduction. On the 13 of October key actors from the Government and Civil Society Organizations in the Philippines will enable a space of dialogue to discuss the role of indigenous knowledge as a key element to build resilient communities. The...	Philippines (Manila)
13 Oct 2015	International Day for Disaster Reduction 2015: Knowledge for Life Organization: UNISDR The International Day for Disaster Reduction is a day to celebrate how people and communities are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of disaster risk reduction. The focus for 2015 is on the traditional, indigenous and local knowledge which complement modern science and add to an individual’s and societies’ resilience. For example, knowledge of early warning signals in nature can be vital to ensuring...
13 Oct 2015	Kyrgyzstan: International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 Organization: IFRC On October 13, in order to celebrate the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Kyrgyzstan will take actions and measures designed to improve awareness on giving response to emergency situations all over the country. More than 1 million people in Kyrgyzstan live with a risk of an emergency. The region of Central Asia requires the population to get prepared for emergency response. And the Disaster Risk Reduction Day is a good opportunity to...	Kyrgyzstan
13 Oct 2015	Myanmar Red Cross Society activities for International Day for Disaster Reduction Organization: MRCS Disaster risk reduction is one of the core activities of Myanmar Red Cross Society. For International Day for Disaster Reduction, Myanmar Red Cross Society will this year conduct activities at the national, regional, township and community levels, including: Particpating as partner of the national level celebration hosted by the Relief and Resettlement Department (at which they will distribute and display DRR material and photos). Joining Yangon activities,...	Myanmar
13 Oct 2015	Republic of Korea: International Day for Disaster Reduction - Q&A Organization: UNISDR International Day for Disaster Reduction 2015 highlights the value of traditional, indigenous and local knowledge. In the Republic of Korea, the International Day will celebrate the theme 'Knowledge for Life' by highlighting how local know-how builds safer and more resilient communities. Korean municipalities are among the most active in UNISDR's global Making Cities Resilient campaign. Their leadership is an excellent example of how local knowledge...	Korea, Rep of (Songdo)
13 Oct 2015	Romania: International Day for Disaster Reduction Organization: Inspectorate for Emerg Situations Petrodava of Neamt County, Romania - gov This year, on the International Day for Disaster Reduction, the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations Petrodava of Neamt County has organized an earthquake exercise, aiming at providing information concerning the actions that should be adopted during an earthquake and immediately after its occurrence. The event will be developed in cooperation with the County School Inspectorate, involving all schools in Neamt County. On the 13th October, at 09:45...	Romania (Neamt County)
13 Oct 2015	Viet Nam Red Cross Society celebrating International Day for Disaster Reduction with launch of World Disaster Report 2015 Organization: Vietnam Red Cross Society Viet Nam faces typhoons and floods every year, as well as a range of other disasters. Rapid population growth and urbanization are increasing the risks these communities already face. Vietnam Red Cross is working to help mitigate risks and to help communities become better prepared for when disasters strike. To celebrate IDRR and the launch of the World Disaster Report (WDR), the Viet Nam Red Cross (VNRC) will host a half-day public event in collaboration...	Viet Nam
13 Oct 2015	X Conference: International Day for Disaster Reduction The International Day for Disaster Reduction, established by the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), is a reflection on the issue of disasters, taking into account the phases of prevention, rescue and rehabilitation. The theme of this conference is "The role of the private sector in reducing the risk of disaster," thus special attention will be given to the issue of “Knowledge for Life”. The papers presented at the conference...	Portugal (Amadora)
15 Oct 2015	Fiji: Seminar - International Day for Disaster Reduction “Knowledge for Life” Organization: UNISDR Pacific; USP This seminar will bring together several stakeholders working to integrate traditional knowledge in disaster risk reduction. Presentation topics will include the new curriculum for traditional knowledge in disaster risk reduction and climate change, and traditional preservation techniques for food in preparation for disasters. The event will wrap up with an award ceremony of the Pacific champion for traditional knowledge in disaster risk reduction....	Fiji (Suva)
16-18 Oct 2015	Indonesian Red Cross: Palang Merah Indonesia - celebrating International Day for Disaster Reduction Organization: PMI; BNPB, Indonesia - gov Each year the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia or PMI) participates in International Day for Disaster Reduction, marked regionally as ASEAN Day for Disaster Management. This year, the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) of the Government of Indonesia is organising annual DRR day events from 16 to 18 October in Solo, Central Java. The focus is on flood risk reduction. Palang Merah Indonesia is taking active part in this national...	Indonesia (Solo, Central Java)
16 Oct 2015	Timor-Leste Red Cross celebrations for International Day for Disaster Reduction In collaboration with UNDP, ADPC and the National Disaster Management Directorate, Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste are organising for IDDR: A workshop to discuss “Timor-Leste and the Sendai Framework, with an aim to establish what Timor-Leste needs to do to comply with the Sendai Framework. A hazard, vulnerability, risk and capacity mapping exercise in CVTL's Integrated Community Based Risk Reduction resilience program with target communities....	Timor-Leste
24 Oct 2015	IDDR 2015 at the United Nations Seventieth Anniversary in Egypt Organization: Ahmose; UNISDR ROAS Under the umbrella of the UN 70th anniversary celebration in Egypt, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction-Regional Office for Arab States (UNISDR ROAS) is organizing an awareness campaign under the theme "International Day for Disaster Reduction 2015 - Knowledge for Life" at the Gezira Youth Center in Zamalek, Cairo. The campaign will focus on the importance of traditional, indigenous and local knowledge...	Egypt (Cairo)
30 Oct 2015	Cambodian Red Cross celebrating International Day for Disaster Reduction Organization: CRC Cambodian Red Cross is again celebrating International Day for Disaster Reduction / ASEAN Day for Disaster Management. This year is a special one as Cambodia is chair of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM). Accordingly, the Cambodian Red Cross and IFRC country delegation will: Join the ACDM events October 9-10 at the Royal University of Phnom Pemh, hosted by National Committee for Disaster Management. Cambodian Red Cross and IFRC will...	Cambodia (Kampong Cham)

 

Education to earthquake and tsunami risks. DIPECHO ACSUR project, Nicaragua.

UNESCO events

• "Looking beyond Disaster" Workshop
  13-15 and 21-23 October 2015, Vanuatu
• Pacific Training on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage in Small Island Developing States
  13-16 October 2015, Vanuatu
• Resilience in a time of uncertainty: Indigenous peoples and climate change"
  26-27 November 2015, UNESCO HQ, Paris, France

UNESCO activities

• Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems
  • In Asia & the Pacific
• Disaster Preparedness in SIDS
• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Education for Disaster Risk Reduction
• Reducing Disasters Risks at World Heritage Properties

RESOURCES 

Knowledge saves lives - UNESCO 
Knowledge saves lives - UNISDR

Lead Agency

• United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR)
• Indigenous knowledge for disaster risk reduction: good practices and lessons learned from experiences in the Asia-Pacific region

United Nations Secretariat

• UN Humanitarian Affairs
• Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
• Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
• ReliefWeb
• Climate Change
  

United Nations System

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)
• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
• World Food Programme (WFP)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• UN Women

International Day for Disaster Reduction 2014, October 13th.

国际减灾日,10月13日.

Международный день уменьшения опасности бедствий,13 октября.

Día Internacional para la Reducción de los Desastres,13 de octubre.

Journée internationale de la prévention des catastrophes, 13 octobre.

 International Day for Disaster Reduction, October 13.

اليوم الدولي للحد من الكوارث الطبيعية

2014年主题：提高抵御能力就是拯救生命.

Tema de 2014: «La resiliencia es para toda la vida»

Тема Дня 2014 года «Стойкость во имя жизни»

2014 Theme: Resilience is for Life

United Nations Secretary-General's Message for the International Day for Disaster Reduction 2014.

As a human family, we are growing older. Globally, approximately 700 million people – 10 per cent of the world’s population – are over the age of 60, and by 2030, there will be more elderly persons than children for the first time in history.
This year’s commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Reduction is an opportunity to recognize the role of older men and women in fostering resilience.
When a natural disaster hits, older persons suffer disproportionately high levels of death and injuries. This tragic trend must be reversed through plans, services and support that ensure we address the vulnerabilities facing older persons while optimizing their contributions to our collective safety and wellbeing.
Disaster planning must take account of the reduced mobility experienced by many older persons. We have to enable them to prepare for a potential disaster, reach safety and protect themselves. The needs of older persons should also be taken into account in early warning systems, social protection mechanisms, evacuation and emergency response plans, and public awareness campaigns.
At the same time, it is important to recognize that older persons have strengths that can serve the community at large. Their years of experience can help in reducing risks posed by disasters. We should involve them in disaster risk management as well as related planning and decision-making processes. Older persons can also meaningfully enrich our critical global discussions on addressing climate change and achieving sustainable development.
On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, let us remind ourselves that building resilience to disasters has no time limit in one’s life; it starts in youth and grows more important as we age.

Ban Ki-moon

  Message from Ms Irina Bokova,Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of International Day for Disaster Reduction 2014.

• Download message in pdf:
  English ǀ  Français ǀ  Español ǀ  Русский ǀ  العربية ǀ  中文

 Resilience is for life

Vulnerability to natural hazards is increasing to alarming rates, as their frequency intensifies, and exacerbated by rapid population growth and ageing populations. The 2014 International Day for Disaster Reduction is dedicated to older people, to their needs and to their contribution to better planning and understanding disaster risks in their communities.

We know well that age is a major factor for evacuation during emergencies. Older people are also more vulnerable than younger groups to injuries resulting from such weather extremes as heatwaves, storms and floods. It is projected that by 2050, people over the age of sixty will represent 22 percent of the world’s population, twice the current number. This is why we must start today to include the concerns of older people in all planning and preparations to mitigate the risks of disasters.

We must also listen more carefully to the voices of older people, whose contribution to tackling environment challenges is underestimated. Our elders are forces for resilience, thanks to their understanding of natural phenomena, including within traditional knowledge systems and those of indigenous people. This vast reservoir of knowledge can help in improving preparedness as well as in preventing disasters, thanks to the wisdom that older people can share about local phenomena. Mitigating the risks of disasters must build on local foundations, drawing on the views and needs of local communities, who are the first affected by natural disasters.

This was a key message that UNESCO sent at the 3rd International Conference on Small Island Developing States, held in Apia, Samoa, during the High-Level Event on Coping with and adapting to Ocean Threats for Resilient SIDS Communities. UNESCO is acting across all areas of its mandate and across the world to build a global culture of resilience for local communities. In Viet Nam, we have been working with media institutions to train journalists in producing written and broadcast material that highlights the vulnerability of older people, as well as women and children, during evacuation situations and calling for more inclusive prevention plans.

Resilience is more than simply recovery from adversity –- it must be about building stronger societies today to prepare for tomorrow. On this International Day for Disaster Reduction, I call on all Governments and all relevant actors to integrate older people in programmes and plans of disaster risk reduction, and to ensure the participation of local communities into all stages of planning. This is essential to lay the ground for a more sustainable for all.

   

Irina Bokova

Join the forum :  International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction - 13 October
 Why should disaster risk reduction involve older persons?

Events

• Marking the International DRR day in Kinna, Isiolo County
• IDDR 2014 Plan International - Indonesia
• Saritsa Foundation organizes workshops for older people (Seniors) to celebrate International Day for Disaster Reduction – Resilience peace for life
• IDDR 2014 - Cambodia
• The IDDR 2014 at Natural History Museum of Crete, Greece
• Ageing population and disasters
• IDDR 2014 Plan International Nepal
• Celebration of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction - Viet Nam
• Día Internacional de Reducción de Riesgos de Desastres
• IDDR 2014 - Plan International Bangladesh
• IDDR 2014 - Plan International, Laos
• IDDR 2014 Bhutan
• IDDR 2014 symposium and celebrations - Kenya
• International Day for Disaster Reduction Knowledge Exchange Forum
• IX Conference 'International Day for Disaster Redution' | Amadora - Portugal
• ODI event in partnership with Age International
• Local Emergency Planning

Resilience is for Life

 Resources : 

1. UNISDR work programme 2014-2015: delivering against the strategic framework SOURCE: UNISDR
2. Sixth Session of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management: Chair's summary 
3.  A catalyst for change: how the Hyogo Framework for Action has promoted disaster risk reduction in South East Europe SOURCE: UNISDR EUR; GFDRR; WB
4.  Sixth Session of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management: Chair's summary SOURCE: UNISDR Pacific; SPC
5.  Submission to the UNFCCC Executive Committee call for inputs for the initial two-year workplan for the implementation of the functions of the Warsaw international mechanism on loss and damage associated with climate change impacts SOURCE: UNISDR
6.  Status report on implementation of Africa regional strategy and Hyogo Framework for Action SOURCE: UNISDR AF
7.  Finland peer review report 2013 - Building resilience to disasters: implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015) SOURCE: UNISDR EUR; EC; OECD
8.  
9.  Asia-Pacific input document for the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (HFA2): risk sensitive development as the cornerstone of resilience and sustainability SOURCE: UNISDR AP; Thailand - gov
10.  Urban risk reduction and resilience SOURCE: UNISDR
11.  International cooperation to reduce disaster risk SOURCE: UNISDR
12.  Climate resilience SOURCE: UNISDR
13.  Risk-informed public policy and investment SOURCE: UNISDR
14.  Risk-sensitive business investment SOURCE: UNISDR
15.  Suggested elements for the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction (June 2014) SOURCE: UNISDR
16.  R!SE: program summary SOURCE: UNISDR
17.  UNISDR Europe annual report 2013 SOURCE: UNISDR EUR
18.  UNISDR annual report 2013 SOURCE: UNISDR
19.  Natural disasters in the Middle East and North Africa: a regional overview SOURCE: WB; UNDP; UNISDR ROAS; GFDRR
20.  Historical collection of disaster loss data in Albania SOURCE: CIMA; UNISDR
21.  planificación de la reducción del riesgo de desastres (RRD) en América Latina y el Caribe SOURCE: UNISDR AM; ECHO; CRID
22.  Criterios en la identificación de acciones claves para la planificación de la reducción del riesgo de desastres (RRD) en América Latina y el Caribe SOURCE: UNISDR AM; CRID; ECHO
23.  Guía para la aplicación de criterios en la identificación de acciones claves para la planificación de la reducción del riesgo de desastres (RRD) en América Latina y el Caribe SOURCE: UNISDR AM; ECHO; CRID