Dubai Police observe International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police - Head of Dubai Crisis and Disaster Team, explained that Dubai Police’s participation in the #DRRday aims to promote a culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. “Today, we work hand in hand with all community members to reduce their exposure to disasters and raise awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they might face,” Al Marri said. 

 “We are proud of the UAE leadership and vision, which qualifies us to be the frontrunners in all fields and areas. We thank the efforts of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and their cooperation with us to raise awareness about the importance of disaster risk reduction and to engage the local community and highlight their role as our partner in our efforts to create a resilient community and cities in accordance with the Sendai Framework 2015-2030,” Al Marri added.

He also praised the cooperation and efforts of the private sector represented by Majid Al Futtaim for their support in organizing this important celebration.

 

For his part, Colonel Ahmed Bourguiba, Director of the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Centre, explained that the Dubai Resilient Program was launched in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction in September this year and shall engage the different sectors including the public, private institutions and the civil society under the supervision of the crises and disasters team in Dubai and benefit from the best international experiences, best practices and innovative use of technology, scientific research and industrial intelligence. The aim is to make Dubai a leading city and a model for global disaster risk reduction. 

The event which was organized by Dubai Police in collaboration with the United Nations Arab State Regional Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, is part of the activities of Dubai Resilient Program, which aims to enhance the capacity of Dubai to respond to disaster risks and crises and to accommodate and contain them, hence reduce human, material, environmental, economic and social losses in a timely and efficient manner, so that Dubai becomes the most resilient city globally. This campaign also emphasizes the commitment of the UAE leadership and Dubai Police towards investing in infrastructure and consolidate efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals and preserve the safety and future of citizens and residents of the UAE. 

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction began in 1989, after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. Held every 13 October, the day celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face. 

The 2019 edition continues as part of the "Sendai Seven" campaign, centred on the seven targets of the Sendai Framework. This year will focus on Target (d) of the Sendai Framework, reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services.