Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation

Abstract

Operating at the interface between education, science, the social sciences, culture and communication, UNESCO has a vital role to play in constructing a global culture of disaster preparedness and mitigation. The Organization is closely involved in the conceptual shift in thinking away from post-disaster reaction to pre-disaster action. Disaster reduction makes humanitarian sense – because putting adequate warning and mitigation measures in place can save lives – and it makes economic sense as well because an ounce of prevention is usually worth a pound of cure. Over the last four decades, scientific knowledge about natural hazards and the technological means of confronting them has expanded greatly. Yet despite the ample availability of knowledge and expertise, vulnerability is growing because of unsustainable development, climate change and extremes of weather increase the scope and cost of disasters. Ever larger populations are at risk, mostly in the developing countries. Disaster reduction therefore is an important part of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals for abating poverty. Disaster reduction emphasizes the crucial role of human thought and action in the minimization of risk. This means that we need to educate people – in particular young people – about disasters and their farreaching implications for the way we live. To mitigate the risks stemming from natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, windstorms, landslides, volcanic eruptions, droughts and wildfires, those at risk must be informed of dangers and the protective measures available, and well versed in the skills of prevention and resilience. In this way, there would be fewer deaths, fewer injuries and less destruction when such disasters strike. Communities will always have to face natural hazards. But hazards become disasters only when lives are lost and livelihoods swept away. Mankind is facing an increasing burden of risk, largely because of the decisions about development that are sometimes inappropriately taken at the local, national and international levels. For example, populations are often concentrated on natural flood plains or along known earthquake fault lines. The destruction of forests and wetlands is harming the capacity of the environment to withstand hazards, and eliminating defences that nature has evolved over time. Climate change increases the risk of storms, drought and coastal flooding. UNESCO is strongly committed to the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015, which was adopted at the 2005 Kobe World Conference on Disaster Reduction. The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014), which UNESCO is coordinating, is a second strategic instrument for reducing and mitigating disasters. Disaster reduction requires new partnerships that draw together stakeholders from all levels of society, across different regions, sectors and disciplines. Governments, academic and scientific communities, non-governmental organizations and international organizations, along with the communities at risk and the media are all essential contributors in building a culture of resilience.