International Conference on the Implementation of the Health Aspects of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 – 2030
Background:
The Sendai Framework is relevant to the health sector, as to all sectors which contribute to managing health risks of emergencies and disasters. Health is included in the expected outcome and goal of the Sendai Framework. The Goal of Sendai Framework is to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks through the implementation of integrated and inclusive economic, structural, legal, social, health, cultural, educational, environmental, technological, political and institutional measures that prevent and reduce hazard exposure and vulnerability to disaster, increase preparedness for response and recovery, and thus strengthen the resilience. Four out of the seven global targets stated in the Sendai Framework are directly related to health, including reducing disaster mortality and the number of affected people, Disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services, including health facilities.
Effective implementation of the Sendai Framework requires enhancing cooperation between health authorities and relevant stakeholders and increasing public and private investment in the field of disaster risk reduction, including through encouraging technology and solution-driven research, and enhancing multi-hazard early warning systems. The breadth of the multisectoral Sendai Framework, which serves as a pillar of the post-2015 development agenda, also provides the opportunity to achieve full synergy with health-related initiatives related to emergency and disaster risk management, the global health security agenda, climate change, universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Purpose and objectives:
The Conference will:
- Advocate for, and support, cross-sectoral and transboundary collaboration for all hazards, including biological hazards.
- Assess the current status and critical gaps for the integration of the health sector and DRR community, including in National Disaster Management Agencies and platforms for DRRs, at the national, regional and global levels;
- Draw recommendations on how to implement the health aspects in the Sendai Framework and identify opportunities to integrate health in Disaster Risk Reduction in national policies and strategies.
- Promote the resilience of national health systems as key element for disaster risk reduction and management;
- Share experiences on epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response, and identify best practices for future disasters risk management; and
The Conference will also hear inputs and lessons learnt from a table top exercise conducted one day prior to the Conference between the joint Japan-Thailand disaster relief team carrying out a simulation exercise in response to a hypothetical pandemic outbreak.
Expected outcomes:
- Chair’s Summary providing recommendations for the implementation of the health aspects of the Sendai Framework in a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral and all-hazards approach for disaster risk.
- The results of the Conference may serve as an input for the ‘Asia Regional Plan for the implementation of the Sendai Framework', which is the intended outcome of the First Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction after the advent of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 – 2030 to be hosted by the government of the Republic of India in New Delhi in November 2016.
- The results of the Conference will also provide input for the ongoing review process of the IHR 2005 that will be tabled at the 68th session of the World Health Assembly in May 2016.
Target participants:
The Conference, to be jointly convened by the United Nations Office for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and the Royal Thai Government, in partnership with the World Health Organization and other governments. It will bring together:
- Representatives of national governments, mainly Disaster Risk Reduction and Health focal points and senior policy makers;
- Key stakeholders and networks;
- Experts from all regions; and
- Key UN and inter-governmental and international agencies.
The participants will discuss how the health community will implement the health aspects of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in collaboration and coordination with relevant sectors and stakeholders.
For more information and registration, please contact Dr. Chadia Wannous via email at [email protected].