As the focal point for disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the United Nations system, UNDRR supports the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction through systematic and structured engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.
Partnerships and all-of-society approaches lie at the heart of effective disaster risk reduction. Building resilience and promoting risk-informed decision-making and investment are collective challenges and responsibilities, which call upon a collaboration between governments, the United Nations and other international organizations and stakeholder groups at large.
Aligned with the Sendai Framework and in coherence with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Paris Climate Agreement, cross-sectoral partnerships beyond the traditional disaster risk reduction community are important to successfully address the significantly broadened scope and complexity of today’s risk landscape.
As provided in the UNDRR Partnership Strategy, UNDRR works closely with other United Nations system entities, representatives of Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including; the private sector, the civil society and community-based organizations, the science and technology community, parliamentarians, children and youth, local authorities, media. UNDRR also contributes to Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives & Partnerships linked and engaged in the global risk and resilience discussions.
To convene stakeholders at all levels around the implementation and monitoring of the Sendai Framework, UNDRR leads and engages in various stakeholder initiatives. These include targeted partner networks and mechanisms, and UNDRR processes, such the Regional and Global DRR Platforms, as well as the Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments Online Platform.
To operationalize the all-of-society approach called for by the Sendai Framework in support of effective disaster risk reduction at all levels, in 2018 UNDRR established the Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism (SEM). Aligned with the UNDRR Partnership and Stakeholder Strategy, the UNDRR-SEM offers representational space for all ‘non-state’ Sendai stakeholders as set out in Paragraph (36) and (48) of the Sendai Framework.
UNDRR is a member of Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR), a global advocate for increasing investments in ecosystem-based approaches to reducing disaster- and climate risks. The PEDRR Network was founded in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami when questions were raised about the role of mangroves and other ecosystems in reducing disaster risk. Fifteen years later, the PEDRR Network has grown to include 28 PEDRR Partners, 2 PEDRR Affiliates, and an additional new PEDRR partner (UNCCD- G20 Initiative on Land) who share the common goal of better understanding, documenting and promoting the role of ecosystems in meeting the international framework agreements.
UNDRR is committed to supporting women’s leadership in disaster risk reduction, including through the flagship Women’s International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR). We know that diversity in leadership improves organizational performance, and women’s leadership can help ensure more effective, inclusive and gender-responsive disaster risk reduction.
On the spotlight: Partnership strategy
The Partnership Strategy provides the framework for UNDRR as the custodian UN agency for the Sendai Framework to engage stakeholders and partners from all sectors in effectively reducing disaster risks.
In order to support Government authorities and the international community in their efforts to integrate disaster displacement and other related forms of human mobility into regional, national, subnational and local disaster risk reduction strategies, UNDRR is working closely with leading agencies and actors in the area of disaster displacement, including the International Migration Organization (IOM), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD), Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and International Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC). A key product of the partnership was the publication of the 2019 Words into Action (WiA) guidelines “Disaster Displacement: How to Reduce Risk, Address Impacts and Strengthen Resilience”, Developed in partnership with the Platform on Disaster Displacement and the Norwegian Refugee Council, with generous funding from the Government of Germany, the guide offers specific and practical guidance to improve the management and coordination of disaster displacement through prevention and planning. The WIA on Displacement is now being rolled out in countries across several regions, thereby also supporting the achievement of Target E) of the Sendai Framework.
While disasters severely threaten the well-being of people and communities, they have a disproportionate impact on persons with disabilities, whose vulnerabilities are reinforced by interrelated factors such as higher rates of poverty, social exclusion, lack of basic services, and less accessible to receive information. The Sendai Framework highlights the need for inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of disaster risk reduction, including mainstreaming disability and other at-risk groups into disaster risk reduction strategies plans and policies is therefore key to overcome and avoid exacerbating disparities. Working closely with global, regional and national disability-led organisations and as well with the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities: Thematic Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (TG-DRR), UNDRR helps building multi-stakeholders’ partnerships between Governments and other stakeholders to support and empower persons with disabilities at national and local level.
UNDRR and its partners initiated the Making Cities Resilient Campaign 2030 (MCR2030), which brings together local governments and stakeholders to address issues of local governance and urban risk and resilience. It builds upon the experience of the Making Cities Resilient (MCR) Campaign during 2010-2020. Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) is a unique cross-stakeholder initiative for improving local resilience through advocacy, sharing knowledge and experiences, establishing mutually reinforcing city-to-city learning networks, injecting technical expertise, connecting multiple layers of government and building partnerships.
On the spotlight: Engage with UNDRR
Building resilience and promoting risk-informed decision-making and investment are collective challenges and responsibilities, which call upon a collaboration between governments, the United Nations and other international organizations and stakeholder groups at large.
The media has proven itself an indispensable partner when it comes to disaster risk reduction. It not only has a key role in building an understanding of risk among its at-risk audiences and disseminating early warnings, but it is also critical to holding governments accountable to ensure the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
UNDRR works closely with the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) and other global and regional parliamentarian networks and relevant partners such as the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) with focus on three key areas: - Development of disaster risk reduction laws and legal frameworks at the regional and national levels . - Advocacy for the integration of disaster risk reduction into national and local budgets and enhanced oversight and accountability - Capacity development and training for Parliamentarians
Building on its long-term engagement with the private and financial sector, UNDRR focuses on the following four key priorities: - Enhance resilience of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs). - Integrating disaster and climate risks into financial sector investment decisions - Incentivizing disaster risk reduction and enhanced data for risk-informed decision making through engagement with the broader insurance sector - Supporting resilient infrastructure development The implementation of these four priorities is supported through UNDRR engagement with the business community in various areas and initiatives.
The rapidly evolving risk landscape calls for close interaction and collaboration between different science areas such as social, engineering, economic, natural and health sciences. To foster a comprehensive scientific evidence basis, UNDRR works with scientists, academia and researchers through a variety of mechanisms.
On the spotlight: Voluntary commitments
The platform allows stakeholders to inform the public about their efforts while also sharing good practices and exploring synergies to maximize impact towards disaster resilience. Stakeholders working on DRR, including private sector, civil society organizations, academia, media, local governments, etc., can submit and update their commitments. Stakeholders can show their contribution to the Sendai Framework and may also get their achievements highlighted through the platform.
