Malini Mehra, GLOBE International, giving the keynote address at the High Level Dialogue on the Sendai Framework
By Jovana Miocinovic
A series of High Level Dialogues kicked off at the Global Platform yesterday with a discussion on progress made in implementing the global plan to reduce disaster losses, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
To date, 116 countries have started using the Sendai Framework Monitor to report against their progress on reaching the seven Sendai targets.
While noting that significant progress has been made in reducing mortality from disasters, Kirsi Madi, Director of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, noted that much more needs to be done on other targets, especially target (d) which relates to reducing damage to critical infrastructure.
Ms. Madi said: “We should always strive for zero casualties in any disaster setting and continued improvements in multi-hazard early warning systems, disaster preparedness, risk governance and strengthened institutions, are all key to the successful implementation of the Sendai Framework.
“Other metrics are not so good. We saw in Nepal and Haiti that where building codes are not implemented the consequences of a large earthquake can result in many lives lost and millions of people displaced and homeless.
“Last year 17.2 million people were internally displaced by disasters, mainly extreme weather events. It is notable that almost twice as many people are displaced each year by natural hazards compared to conflict.”
Setting the tone for the discussion and injecting urgency into the debate, Malina Mehra, “Nothing remains certain…Surprise is the new normal; expect the unexpected and prepare for it.”
Participants at the high-level dialogue on the opening day of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2019 called for a broad and pluralistic approach to disaster risk reduction in today’s context of greater frequency of natural disasters and harmful effects of human activity on the environment and survival of species.