Media Room

Disaster Uncovered: Shedding new light on the causes and consequences of catastrophe

17 May 00:00:01 GMT

Bahrain- Global disaster risk is increasing worldwide due to unsafe cities and the combined impact of environmental destruction and climate change which jeopardize the lives of hundreds of millions of people says a landmark UN report published today. Across low- and middle-income countries, recurrent disasters are destroying livelihoods, driven by a lack of government attention, unplanned urbanization and deplorable economic conditions. The Report notes that damage to housing from such persistent, low intensity events has quintupled since 1980.

UN rings the alarm on health cost of disasters

08 OCT 2008 13:15:00 GMT

This year’s International Day for Disaster Reduction falls on the third anniversary of the South Asian Earthquake. On this day three years ago, 73% of health facilities were destroyed in the affected area of Pakistan, making them unable to function when they were most needed, as millions of people were being affected. ”

Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction Second Session, Geneva, Switzerland 16 – 19 June 2009 DISASTERS, POVERTY AND VULNERABILITY

25 AUG 2008 13:15:00 GMT

Hyogo Framework for Action The Hyogo Framework for Action 2005 – 2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters was adopted by 168 Governments at the World Conference for Disaster Reduction held in Kobe, Japan in January 2005. The goal of the Hyogo Framework is to achieve a “substantial reduction of disaster losses, in lives and in social, economic and enviornmental assets.”

United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction - Europe (UN/ISDR EU)

25 AUG 2008 13:00:00 GMT

The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) is taking the opportunity of the International Disaster and Risk Conference (IDRC) Davos 2008, held this week 25-29 August 2008, to release the '2008 Virtual Disaster Risk Reduction Library (VL)' which was produced with the support of the Global Risk Forum (GRF), the host institution of the IDRC. The IDRC is one of the three pillars of the GRF, located in Davos, the heart of the Swiss Alps, also renowned as the location of the World Economic Forum.

Poorly constructed buildings kill people during earthquakes

16 MAY 2008 12:34:03 GMT

As seen in Pakistan in October 2005, in Iran in December 2003 and earlier this week in China, collapsed buildings are the main killers when earthquake strikes. Hundreds of thousands of buildings, among them many schools, collapsed after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck China last Monday.

Early warning systems can save lives when cyclones strike

6 MAY 2008 2:34:03 GMT

After a Category 3 storm ripped through Myanmar’s Irrawaddy delta region on Saturday, the United Nations secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction stressed the importance of having life-saving early warning systems and preparedness programmes in place when cyclones strike.

Tackling drought essential for food crisis solution

10 April 2008 5:34:03 GMT

Drought and unsustainable water management have been key contributing factors to the global food crisis. In turn, managing drought risk to prepare for the increasing drought impact of climate change, is a crucial part of addressing the food crisis long term.

Global consortium calls for support to locally-driven investment in safety before disasters

10 April 2008 5:34:03 GMT

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Mitch, providing a chance to reflect on how survivors have recovered from that disaster and subsequent efforts to reduce losses and save lives before disaster strikes. With climate change, persistent poverty, increasing urbanization and environmental degradation increasing the frequency and severity of natural hazard events, it is more important than ever to ensure that vulnerable communities have the capacity and support to protect themselves from disasters.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE SUB-REGIONAL ANDEAN JOURNALISIM CONTEST ON RISK MANAGEMENT/ PREVENTION AND DISASTER RESPONSE

14 March 2008 4:34:03 GMT

The Andean Committee for Prevention and Disaster Response (CAPRADE by its Spanish acronym), with support of the Disaster Prevention Program in the Andean Community (PREDECAN by its Spanish acronym), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit GTZ (German Technical Cooperation) and the Communication Initiative convey to journalist from all countries in Andean sub-region, -Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru- to participate in the first ANDEAN JOURNALISIM CONTEST ON RISK MANAGEMENT/ PREVENTION AND DISASTER RESPONSE.

Panama Launching of the World Disaster Reduction Campaign 2008-2009:

12 March 2008 4:34:03 GMT

Hospitals Safe from Disasters' Reducing Risk, Protecting Health Facilities and Saving Lives. Panama City, Panama; March 11, 2008.

“The most expensive hospital is the one that fails”

25 Ene 2008 09:40:03 GMT

Hundreds of hospitals and heath facilities are destroyed or damaged every year by disasters caused by natural hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods. Millions of people are left without emergency care during and after disasters when hospitals and health facilities fail to function.

UN/ISDR secretariat and WHO Launch the World Disaster Reduction Campaign 2008-2009 on 25 January 2008 in Davos

25 Ene 2008 09:40:03 GMT

The World Disaster Reduction Campaign 2008-2009: 'Hospitals Safe from Disasters' is a global campaign being launched in Davos, Switzerland on 25 January, by the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) and the World Health Organization (WHO), with support from the World Bank.The campaign will focus on structural safety of hospitals and health facilities, on keeping health facilities functioning during and after disasters, and on making sure health workers are prepared for natural hazards striking.

Bolivia: Flood early warning system projected for La Paz

26 Nov 2007 12:42:35 GMT

The Federal Government of Germany and city of Bonn are helping La Paz to set up a new early warning system against floods and landslides.
The Lady Mayor of Bonn, Ms Bärbel Dieckmann will meet with Mr Del Granado Cosio, the mayor of the Bolivian capital, from 14 to 15 November in La Paz,Bolivia, to officially launch a project to create a new early warning system that will better protect La Paz against floods and landslides.

Bolivia: Flood early warning system projected for La Paz

26 Nov 2007 12:42:35 GMT

Prevention Web: A new tool to increase knowledge on disaster risk reduction

26 Nov 2007 15:42:35 GMT

The UN/ISDR secretariat is launching PreventionWeb.net, a new website for increasing knowledge sharing on disaster risk reduction (DRR) issues, for both the general public – including media and teachers – and DRR specialists, on 15 November.
"Information and knowledge are key to reducing disasters, and this new tool will facilitate the sharing of information, expertise and experience. Prevention Web will be a reference for experts, practitioners and all people interested in building resilience to natural hazards,” said Salvano Briceño , Director of the UN/ISDR secretariat in Geneva.