International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction
Created in December 1999, UNISDR is the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR). It is the successor to the secretariat of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction with the purpose of ensuring the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (General Assembly (GA) resolution 54/219 [1])[2].
UNISDR is part of the United Nations Secretariat and its functions span the development and humanitarian fields. Its core areas of work includes ensuring Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is applied to climate change adaptation, increasing investments for DRR, building disaster-resilient cities, schools and hospitals, and strengthening the international system for DRR.
UNISDR's vision is based on the three strategic goals of the Hyogo Framework for Action: integrating DRR into sustainable development policies and planning, developing and strengthening institutions, mechanisms and capacities to build resilience to hazards, and incorporating risk reduction approaches into emergency preparedness, response, and recovery programmes.
UNISDR leads the preparation and follow-up of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, establishment in 2006 (GA resolution 61/198). The Global Platform has become the main global forum for disaster risk reduction and for the provision of strategic and coherent guidance for the implementation of the Hyogo Framework and to share experience among stakeholders. Other areas of work for UNISDR includes issuing the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction every two years, supporting countries in monitoring risk trends and the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action, and leading global campaigns on disaster risk reduction for safer schools, safer hospitals and safer cities.[3]
Management
Margareta Wahlström is the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Created in 2008, the functions of this post includes leading and overseeing UNISDR in the executions of its functions entrusted by the General Assembly (GA), Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), as well as policy directions by the Secretary-General, overseeing the management of the Trust Fund for the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, and carrying out high-level advocacy and resource mobilization activities for risk reduction and implementation of the HFA. The Special Representative also ensures the strategic and operational coherence between disaster-reduction and humanitarian disaster preparedness and response activities, as well as socio-economic activities of the UN system and regional organizations.[4]
History
The United Nations General Assembly designated the 1990s as the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR).[5]
Its basic objective was to decrease the loss of life, property destruction and social and economic disruption caused by natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, droughts, locust infestations, and other disasters of natural origin.
An International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, beginning on 1 January 1990, was launched by the United Nations, following the adoption of Resolution 44/236 (22 December 1989). The Decade was intended to reduce, through concerted international action, especially in developing countries, loss of life, poverty damage and social and economic disruption caused by natural disasters. To support the activities of the Decade, a Secretariat was established at the United Nations Office in Geneva, in close association with UNDRO.
[edit] References
- ^ United Nations General Assembly Resolution 219 session 54 on 3 February 2000 (retrieved 2011-07-05)
- ^ http://www.unisdr.org/who-we-are/mandate
- ^ http://www.unisdr.org/who-we-are/mandate
- ^ http://www.unisdr.org/who-we-are/unisdr-in-un
- ^ United Nations General Assembly Resolution 236 session 44 on 22 December 1989 (retrieved 2008-09-18)
