With recent calamities such as floods, storms, and droughts serving as a reminder of the devastating effects of natural hazards, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the need to engage fully in disaster risk reduction has never been more pressing.

“We have a moral, social and economic obligation to act now in building resilient communities and nations,” Mr. Ban states in a message marking the International Day for Disaster Reduction, observed annually on 10 October.

Declaring that ‘disaster reduction is everybody’s business,’ he urges governments, civil society and the private sector, international financial institutions and other international organizations to invest in disaster reduction.

Mr. Ban also cites the importance of stepping up implementation of the Hyogo Framework – a plan of action adopted by States nearly three years ago to reduce vulnerability to natural hazards.

Disaster reduction is about stronger building codes, sound land-use planning, better early warning systems, environmental management and evacuation plans and, above all, education, he states. “It is about making communities and individuals aware of their risk to natural hazards and how they can reduce their vulnerability,” says Mr. Ban.

•Date: 12th October 2007• Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: DR general
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