The Valley, Anguilla, October 7, 2011, Department of Disaster Management – October 13th is the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR).
Disaster risk reduction is the spectrum of activities – from disaster preparedness to disaster-resilient building practices - that aim to limit the impact of natural disasters on communities.
The United Nations Secretariat for the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) is the focal point in the United Nations system for the promotion of disaster risk reduction.
The International Day for Disaster Reduction is an opportunity to raise awareness of disaster risks and promote a global culture of disaster risk reduction. It also helps to raise awareness about how people are taking action to reduce their risk to disasters.
In 2011, the spotlight is on children and young people!
In 2015, there's going to be a World Conference on Disaster Reduction. The UNISDR want to bring out the voice of different groups of people that can and should be involved in planning for, making decisions on, and taking action to help their communities reduce their risk to disasters. They want children and young people to bring their thoughts, ideas, and inspiration to this Conference!
The members of the National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) and Department of Disaster Management (DDM) encourage all residents and visitors to be hazard aware and prepared. It is the key to protecting our future.
As part of the commemoration of the day in association with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the DDM, and Ministry of Tourism will be holding a stakeholder workshop as part of the Regional Monitoring and Evaluation System for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation in the Caribbean Tourism Sector.
We encourage you to mark the day in some positive way:
• Broadcast media – could organize a talk show on disaster risk reduction
• Teachers/Schools – can organize a debate, discussion or special theme of DRR
• Business – can sponsor a DRR event or place posters and information at their locations
• Community leaders – motivate and encourage children to “Step Up for DRR”
• Children and young people – show the world you’re stepping up to the challenge and that you are partners in DRR
• Activities do not have to be on the day, but please let the DDM know what you are doing or planning to do, so that the information can be sent to UNISDR for publication.
If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with the Department of Disaster Management, please call 1-264-497-2926.