UNDRR News

Breaking the silos between a plethora of agencies is a critical tool to help curb the threat of natural and man-made hazards, delegates heard today at a global conference on using science to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The UNISDR Science and Technology Conference opened today in Geneva with a tribute by the head of UNISDR, Mr. Robert Glasser, to the hundreds of scientists who have contributed their time to ground-breaking research on climate change and its impacts.

On the eve of the first-ever gathering of scientists to discuss disaster risk management, the head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Dr. Robert Glasser, today said: “Government leaders and decision makers should give greater attention to the science on disaster risk and climate change to reduce exposure to extreme disaster events and to promote sustainable development.

The "2nd Global Forum on Emergency Telecommunications (GET-2016): SAVING LIVES" opens today in Kuwait and serves as an international platform to discuss international Emergency Telecommunication policy and disaster risk reduction topics. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has a key role to play in implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Climate change is raising the vulnerability of communities around the world to a raft of hazards, including drought, storms and floods which wreak havoc on food production and public health, according to the UN’s latest Human Development Report.

In an exceptional move, the Philippine Congress today passed a resolution recognising and commending the former head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), Ms. Margareta Wahlström, for her outstanding work on advocacy for disaster risk reduction over the last seven years.

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency is introducing a new awards scheme to recognise distinction in reducing disaster risk including the Jeremy Collymore Award for Research in Disaster Response and Disaster Risk Management.

Down in the depths of a cutting-edge lab in this English university city, scientists are working to rein in the risk posed by landslides around the globe.

Dr. Robert Glasser, an experienced leader and thinker on development issues, took up his new role this week as head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). He was appointed as Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, succeeding Ms. Margareta Wahlström who completed two terms at the end of 2015.

A new report from the US Department of Agriculture highlights the threat of wildfires to a warming, more drought-prone planet.Yesterday in Washington, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that in 2015, wildfires burned a record 10,125,149 acres across the United States, surpassing the previous record set in 2006.