Risk Returns Was Published for Launch at the R 3Rd Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Isk Reduction
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COMP version The Third Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Reduction Risk Returns was published for launch at the R 3rd Session of the Global Platform for Disaster isk Reduction. The Global Platform for Disaster Reduction was established in 2007 as a biennial forum for information exchange, discussion of R latest development and knowledge and partnership ISDR building across sectors, with the goal to improve The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) implementation of disaster risk reduction through etu is a strategic framework, adopted by United Nations better communication and coordination amongst Risk RetuRns Member States in 2000, aiming to guide and coordinate stakeholders. The Global Platform is managed by the the efforts of a wide range of partners to achieve UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. substantive reduction in disaster losses and build resilient R nations and communities as an essential condition for The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is ns sustainable development. now the world’s foremost gathering of stakeholders committed to reducing disaster risk and building the The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster resilience of communities and nations. The Third Reduction (UNISDR) is the secretariat of the ISDR Session of the Global Platform, convened 8–13 system. The ISDR system comprises numerous May 2011, brought together disaster risk reduction, organizations, States, intergovernmental and non- recovery and reconstruction experts. Over 2,000 governmental organizations, financial institutions, policy makers and practitioners, from government, technical bodies and civil society, which work together international organizations, NGOs, academia, and the and share information to reduce disaster risk. private sector from both developing and developed countries gathered to assess and share information UNISDR serves as the focal point for the implementation as well as set new directions for the disaster risk of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) – a ten year reduction imperative, with emphasis plan of action adopted in 2005 by 168 governments to on local initiatives and activities. protect lives and livelihoods against disasters. ISBN 978-0-9568561-0-4 Published in Leicester, England by Tudor Rose www.tudor-rose.co.uk Risk RetuRns DISCLAIMER The authors are responsible for the choice and presentation of the facts contained in this document and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of the UNISDR and do not commit the Organization. This publication may be freely quoted. Acknowledgement of the source is requested. Requests for the reproduction or translation of this publication should be directed to the publisher. ISBN 978-0-9568561-0-4 © 2011 Tudor Rose. All rights reserved. Published by Tudor Rose on behalf of UNISDR. www.tudor-rose.co.uk Additional copies of this publication are available for purchase from Tudor Rose. Acknowledgements Compiled by: Sean Nicklin and Ben Cornwell Edited by: Michele Witthaus, Sam Ballard, Adam Lawrence and Jacqui Griffiths Designed by: Paul Robinson Bruce Graham and Leigh Trowbridge Project Manager: Stuart Fairbrother Cover design: Leigh Trowbridge Cover image: created by the Center for Tsunami Research at the NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, the model shows the expected wave heights of the tsunami as it travelled across the Pacific basin following the earthquake off the coast of Japan on 11th March 2011. Picture reproduced courtesy of NOAA Center for Tsunami Research. Action Contre La Faim, France All India Disaster Mitigation Institute Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence, Australia Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), Japan Attorney-General’s Department (AGD), Australia Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), India CARE, Netherlands Caritas India Christian Aid, United Kingdom Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB), Norway Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, Turkey Disaster Research, Education and Management (DREAM), National Development University Yogyakarta, Indonesia General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, Romania Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), Thailand GOAL, Republic of Ireland Indonesian National Agency for Disaster Management/Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) Institut Teknologi Bandung Center for Disaster Mitigation, Indonesia Jamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster Management, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Mercy Relief, Singapore Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, New Zealand Mission East, Denmark National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), India National Disaster Management Centre, Brunei Darussalam National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Republic of Korea National Emergency Management Agency, Nigeria National Protection and Rescue Directorate, Croatia New Zealand Aid Programme, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand Pacific Disaster Center, USA Practical Action, Sri Lanka PT. Asuransi MAIPARK Indonesia Research Center for Urban Safety and Security (RCUSS), Kobe University, Japan South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Nepal Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Institute (SEADPRI-UKM), Universiti Kebangsang, Malaysia Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) White Helmets, Argentina World Meteorological Organization (WMO) []3 Foreword MARGARETA WAHLSTRöM, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (SRSG) In recent decades, there has been a steady rise in the number of disasters and of people affected by them. Recent events in Haiti, New Zealand and Japan confirm the current trend that has seen the economic cost of disasters rising 14-fold since the 1950s. Small countries are particularly vulnerable, as disasters have significant impacts on GDP and other macroeconomic factors. The growth of populations and assets at risk, and the projected increases in extreme events due to climate change, imply that costs will continue to climb. There are many tools and techniques available to reduce the risk of disasters. However, most Governments and local authorities are faced with difficult decisions regarding investment in water management, infrastructure, hazard early warning systems and control of building design, construction and maintenance. Anecdotal evidence has long suggested that projects to reduce disaster risks have a high ratio of benefits to costs. Landmark studies have confirmed this, making compelling cases for the economic rationale behind this type of investment. The recent report by the United Nations and the World Bank, ‘Natural Hazards, UnNatural Disasters’ substantiates the fact that, faced with complex choices and competing priorities, Governments and local authorities are not sufficiently equipped for effective spending to reduce risk from natural hazards. Cost-benefit analysis, an essential tool for prioritizing spending, also remains underused. As a result, at the national and local levels, disaster risk reduction is often perceived as a concept rather than an investment. There remains little recognition in the ranking of priorities for governments and the effectiveness of different types of spending and regulatory mechanisms are insufficiently understood. Fortunately, the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters provides a comprehensive global agenda for the reduction of disaster losses and disaster risks. It has been endorsed by the General Assembly and widely adopted by governments, organizations and civil society as the principal guide for policies and programmes to reduce disaster risks. As a multi-stakeholder, UN-based, international mechanism, the ISDR system enables Governments, mayors and other decision makers to take action towards disaster risk reduction and to implement the Hyogo Framework. Its principal forum is the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, which brings together Governments, UN and civil society organizations to review progress, advocate actions, and guide future directions and coordination. Other relevant activities by the ISDR system and secretariat include the preparation of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction, which provides in-depth analysis of progress by countries in the implementation of the Hyogo Framework. In the latest iteration of the report, countries reviewed progress on the levels and types of national investments in disaster risk reduction. A similar process is being initiated to allow local authorities to monitor the effectiveness of their spending to reduce natural hazard risk. The publication of Risk Returns is therefore a timely compilation of experiences and practices from ISDR partners. At a time when the synergies between the issues of disaster risk reduction and climate change are becoming increasingly relevant, understanding how to invest effectively to reduce disaster risk and facilitate climate change adaptation could lead to a substantial reduction in losses of the social, economic and environmental assets of communities and countries. Margareta Wahlström Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG) []4 Contents Acknowledgements ........................................................................................3