Local governments play a crucial role in building urban resilience. To reap the benefits of urban risk reduction, governments must invest in developing effective policies and tools in helping cities to get ready to meet future risks and protect developmental gains. The resilience of cities inspires opportunities for attracting capital investments, creating fresh business possibilities, delivering greater social equality and providing more balanced ecosystems.

Data and information management is critical to inform decisions on DRR interventions. A glimpse at international databases shows that data on economic losses from disasters available represents 36 per cent of disasters recorded from 1995 to 2015 globally. Records are particularly sparce from Africa, where losses reported account for about 12.6 per cent of the events.

While delivering his opening remarks, UNISDR’s Chief of the Regional Office for Africa, Amjad Abbashar remarked that :“Existing gaps in our risk knowledge are an international concern. We must establish robust and well-maintained national disaster loss databases to improve record-keeping and accountability. To design or update our national and local disaster risk reduction strategies in an inclusive and gender-sensitive manner, the availability of disaggregated data and their correct use and interpretation is fundamental.”

The “Making Cities Sustainable and Resilient” initiative is funded by European Commission’s International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO).

Date:

19 Sep 2018

Sources:

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Africa (UNISDR AF)

Themes:

Capacity Development, Urban Risk & Planning, Disaster Risk Management

Countries:

Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda

Regions:

Africa