UNDRR News

UNDRR Regional Office for the Arab States and the government of Lebanon organized the National Consultation for Integration of Biological Hazard in the National Disaster Risk Reduction in Lebanon

In the last few years, our world has been pummeled by a disease we were not prepared for, in spite of the fact that in 2015 when UN member states came together to negotiate and agree on the global blue print for disaster risk reduction and resilience, the Sendai Framework for DRR, biological hazards were　incorporated as the next big hazard we need to protect ourselves from. COVID-19 has left hardly anyone or any aspect of our lives untouched. Losing loved ones, becoming ill, struggling with isolation, loss of livelihoods and changing social norms.

During the 'VII Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas and the Caribbean’ that took place between November 1st to 4th, 2021, MCR2030 led the session "Making cities resilient: the urban challenge". The session addressed risk from a comprehensive and systemic approach, emphasizing one the one hand the need to integrate knowledge and action on climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and resilience-building in urban development; and on the other hand, the need to include local communities in building urban resilience. The winner videos of the 'Voices of the Community' contest were also presented in the session.

The UN SRSG for DRR, Mami Mizutori, today extended her condolences to all those affected by the volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga and urged greater investment in early warning systems and resilient infrastructure, around the world.

On 19 January, the International Recovery Forum 2022 concluded with a strong call to prioritize preparedness for recovery and invest in resilience before a disaster strikes.

Campinas, Medellin, and Mexico City became the first three cities in the Americas and the Caribbean region to be recognized as "Resilience Hubs" of the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative. The announcement was made on December 21, 2021, closing the first year of the MCR2030 initiative's activities.  These cities became Resilience Hubs for their commitment as well as progressive policy and advocacy work to address disaster and climate risks. They will serve as Resilience Hubs for the next three years continue developing their disaster resilience while inspiring other cities to do the same.

Scaled-up, effective international partnerships that strengthen disaster and climate resilience, such as MCR2030, add immense value. They help cities protect hard-earned development gains, save lives and livelihoods, and keep people out of poverty. We want to encourage more cities to join MCR2030, as well as more service providers to be part of this endeavour so that we can achieve SDG11 by 2030.

While COVID-19 keeps challenging all five countries of Central Asia at an unprecedented scale, through existing programs, the EU supports both resilient and sustainable political and economic frameworks that can prepare governments for future emergencies.

Our most precious natural resource is all around us; it’s in our homes and places of work… usually not more than an arms-length away. Essential to our being, water is a human right. And yet when linked with disasters or hazards, we are often at water’s mercy. It is clear that water-related hazards are a threat on the rise. In the last fifty years, climate-related hazards, including those linked to water - floods, landslides, tsunamis, storms, and droughts – have been growing in both frequency and intensity. The damage has been profound. Floods alone have amounted to economic losses of US$ 115 billion, while droughts resulted in 650,000 deaths. As a warming climate intensifies the water cycle, more intense droughts, rainfall and flooding are inevitable.

UNDRR is glad to announce that the Information Note for Participants (INP) for the seventh session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2022) is now available in the six official languages of the United Nations.