MESSAGE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER REDUCTION FAMILY SUPPORT
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THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL.
a 3 October 2010 Bigger, more deadly, worst ever. We have seen those words in the headlines too often this year. Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and forest fires on the loss of life and income. Those words are likely to be heard in the coming years, multiply the climate changes and risks. To further complicate the picture, such as altered weather patterns, so has the human society. We are more urban. If earthquakes, floods, deadly storms in the past, are still mortal in a world becoming increasingly urbanized.
Many cities are on coasts, vulnerable to storms, flooding and rising sea level. More than 1,000 million people in Asia live within 100 kilometers sea, and two thirds of the population of Latin America and the Caribbean within 200 kilometers . Too many people live in flood plains, other above the earthquake fault lines. Some resolved downstream areas without trees, with little buffer against elements. disaster risk accumulates quietly. And while natural hazards threatening the entire world, the poor are by far the most vulnerable.
On the positive side, we are learning to cope. Today, on International Day for Disaster Reduction, we recognize that local governments and communities are doing to protect themselves while building more sustainable towns and cities.
Last May, the international strategy of the United Nations Disaster Reduction launched a global campaign called "Making cities flexible" . More than 100 cities, with about 110 million people have subscribed to the "Ten Essentials" - actions that will make communities safer from disasters. role models with good practices include province of Albay in the Philippines, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, Bangkok, Bonn, Mexico City and Mumbai.
essential elements ten to convert the general ideas on sustainable city solutions. recommends that governments allocate a budget to serve everyone, rich and poor alike, and investing in risk assessment, training on early warning systems, disaster risk reduction and ecosystem protection. city planners must also address the main sources of risk in urban areas: poor management, planning and implementation. decision making should be inclusive, participatory and sustainable development principles should be embraced and retained, especially for the benefit of people living in slums and informal settlements.
Reduce risks of disaster it is for everyone and requires the involvement and investment: civil society, professional networks, as well as municipal and national governments worldwide. On this International Day for Disaster Reduction, I recommend to those cities that are working to build resilience to climate, environmental and social risks. And everyone else asking this question: is your city ready?