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UN humanitarian official urges action to address disasters

UN humanitarian official urges action to address disasters

The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator today urged action on plans to cope with disasters as delegates from 120 nations meeting in Geneva wrapped up a conference which warned that some of the world’s greatest cities are at risk.

“At least half of the countries of the world have started to implement the Hyogo Framework for Action agreed by 168 nations in Kobe, Japan in January 2005. But we want every country to take up the challenge,” said John Holmes, Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, who chaired the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction.

“There is still a huge amount to do,” he said. “International effort must concentrate on those countries that are most vulnerable to natural hazards. But, too often, international funding for risk reduction is inadequate and uncoordinated.”

Over the past 30 years the number of storms, droughts, and floods has increased threefold and the number of people affected by disasters has increased fivefold, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

It said that eight of the world’s ten most populous cities are now prone to earthquakes while 1 billion people live in unstable, overcrowded slums. The effects of climate change are expected to increase the risks significantly, OCHA warned.

Tokyo, Mumbai, Shanghai, Jakarta and Dhaka are examples of rapidly-growing cities that are simultaneously vulnerable to earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis and storm surges, the Office said.

The meeting brought together a wide range of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in emergency relief, development and education. “For the first time,” said Mr. Holmes, “everybody – the UN, the NGOs, the private sector, academic institutions, disaster experts and local authorities – are working together.”

Among the initiatives launched at the Global Platform is an initiative which will unite three UN agencies and bring new expertise to help nations and communities confront disaster. A Forum for Cities was announced by four UN agencies to address natural hazards and urban vulnerability.

“Disaster risk reduction policies are urgent, necessary, efficient and effective. They are the best tools we have to save lives and assets and are the best investments countries, cities and local communities can make,” said Mr. Holmes.