ABU DHABI: 13th October 2020: The UAE celebrated the International Day for Disaster Reduction on 13th October along with other countries and nations.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was first observed in 1989 after the decision to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction, strengthen the global efforts to reduce the effects of disasters, and increase readiness by the United Nations General Assembly.
The ‘Sendai Seven’ campaign was launched by the UN in 2016. It consists of seven targets and four priorities for action that aim for the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods, and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural, and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities, and countries.
Recognizing the importance of cooperation to reduce the effects of natural disasters, the UAE is a leading global model of readiness and handling disasters locally and internationally. The UAE has been successful in retaining the country’s objectives and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 by establishing a comprehensive national emergency and crisis system.
The humanitarian presence and implementing relief activities of the UAE in many regions around the world have been increasing by providing relief aid and supporting victims without discrimination based on gender, race, or religion. Despite the exceptional circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic, the country provided all forms of humanitarian and relief support to those affected by the Australian bush fires and the floods that hit Pakistan, Somalia, Bangladesh, Yemen, and Sudan.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that the COVID-19 pandemic brought renewed attention to the importance of strengthening disaster risk reduction. He addressed the rise in extreme weather events over the past two decades. There has been little progress in reducing climate change and environmental degradation. He further said that this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is about strengthening disaster risk governance for a resilient world. He also stressed that the public good is above all other considerations so as to eradicate poverty and reduce climate change.
Source: wam.ae
