PRESS RELEASE
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER REDUCTION: REDUCING DISASTER ECONOMIC LOSSES
DATE: 13TH OCTOBER 2018
“Reducing the economic losses from disasters has the power to transform
lives and contribute greatly to the eradication of poverty. As we mark the
International Day for Disaster Reduction, let us reaffirm our commitment
to this vital endeavour.” — UN Secretary-General, António Guterres
Disaster reduction is the conception and practice of reducing disaster
risks through efficient efforts to analyse and reduce the causal factors
of disasters. Reducing exposure to hazards, lessening vulnerability of
people and property, wise management of land and the environment, and
improving preparedness and early warning for adverse events are all
examples of disaster reduction.
The International Day for Disaster Reduction was started in 1989, after a
call by the United Nations General Assembly, a day to promote a global
culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. Held every 13th of
October to celebrate 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.
This year’s theme is “Reducing disaster economic losses in relation to
global gross domestic product by 2030”. In 2017 alone, 9,000 lives were
lost and 96 million people were affected by disasters due to floods,
wildfires and earthquakes, causing €270 billion in combined losses it was
the second costliest year on record in terms of damages caused by natural
hazards. The 2018 International Day for Disaster Reduction focuses on
diminishing the economic impact of disasters worldwide. The commemoration
will provide an advocacy platform to highlight the economic consequences
of failure to manage disaster risk, particularly for vulnerable groups in
low and middle-income countries.
The 2018 theme continues as part of the “Sendai Seven” campaign, centred
on the seven targets of the Sendai Framework. This year focuses on Target
C of the Sendai Framework, reducing disaster economic losses in relation
to global GDP by 2030.
We, at the World Assembly of Youth (WAY), urge all citizens and
governments to be part in efforts to establish communities and societies
that will make more disaster- resilient nations. We believe they should be
an advocacy platform to all governments, local governments, disaster
management agencies, UN agencies, NGOs, Red Cross and Red Crescent
societies, civil society groups, businesses, academic and scientific
institutions, and other interested groups to demonstrate support for
gender-sensitive implementation of the Sendai Framework and to highlight
achievements and challenges in so doing with a particular focus on
reducing the numbers of people affected by disasters.
Therefore, let us tackle vulnerability to significantly reduce the risk of
disaster and build safer and more resilient communities, through a
combination of disaster preparedness and community-led mitigation
measures.
-END-
World Assembly of Youth
World Youth Complex,
Lebuh Ayer Keroh,
Ayer Keroh, 75450 Melaka,
Malaysia
Tel: +606 2322711 / 2321871
Fax: +606 2327271
Email: info@way.org.my
Website: www.way.org.my
