Ban urges recognition of communities reducing disaster risk

Over the past 20 years, disasters due to natural hazards have affected 4.4 billion people worldwide, claimed 1.3 million lives and caused $2 trillion in economic losses. Worldwide Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) was commemorated this year under the theme “Knowledge for Life” on October 13th.

About 15 schools from Thimphu thromde displayed their models for reducing disaster, which include disaster prevention, mitigation, and preparedness to observe the worldwide Day for Disaster reduction (IDDR) yesterday at the Department of Youth and Sports auditorium in Thimphu. Krisoker Sor Founder Md Zakir Hossain told bdnews24.com that they spread awareness messages related to climate change and disaster risk reductions. “So as part of the process of promoting a culture of disaster reduction, we’re here and we’re hopeful that this presentation, this donation, from NEMA will assist and enhance all of your disaster management activities”, Southwell stated. The head of UNISDR, Margareta Wahlström, said this year they highlighted communities around the world that “have demonstrated the ability to live with the risk through their local, traditional and indigenous knowledge”. “But we do not know what measures need to be taken [to tackle possible earthquake’s aftermath] as the country had never experienced [strong] quake”, he said. This could be one reason why earthquakes tend to cause greater damage in modern settlements with heavier house construction than in the traditional settlements of the Dai people. As the UN’s development network, the UNDP has drawn on worldwide experiences for over three decades to assist China in disaster risk management, building community resilience, and information and knowledge sharing. In 2009, the General Assembly made a decision to change the date to October. 13 and to change the Day’s name to global Day for Disaster Reduction. NEMA District Volunteers attended church services with the aim of reinforcing opportunities for disaster management while strengthening collaboration between NEMA and the community.

Country Director of Christian Aid Shakeb Nabi and Jahangir Alam of Dhaka Ahsania Mission also spoke at the discussion.