Disaster Risk

Boreal forests line a misty fjord in southeast Alaska (file). FAO/Bill Ciesla

UN hails ambitious Canada-Mexico-US partnership to fight climate change

4 July 2016
The head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) today hailed as “a major breakthrough” a recent announcement by Canada, Mexico and the United States that they will take sweeping action to achieve 50 per cent clean power generation by 2025 and cooperate on reducing disaster risk.
On 14 March 2011, tsunami damage extends to the horizon, in the city of Sendai, in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
UNICEF/Adam Dean

World Tsunami Awareness Day welcome boost for disaster risk reduction – UN official

23 December 2015
The head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction today welcomed the resolution adopted by the General Assembly recognizing 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day.
Robert Glasser, Secretary-General of CARE International during a press conference at the Palais des Nations, Geneva (December 2007).
UN Photo/Pierre-Michel Virot

Ban appoints experienced Australian national as new UN disaster risk reduction chief

27 November 2015
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Australia’s Robert Glasser as Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).
A father holds his injured child as he surveys the damage to the devastated city of Balakot, Pakistan, following an earthquake in 2005.
IRIN/Edward Parsons

Natural disasters - New strategy aims to build resilience, reduce loss

20 March 2015
In a year when countries are set to adopt a global sustainable development agenda, and to forge a meaningful, binding climate change agreement, world leaders meeting in Sendai, Japan, signed on to a new framework for making the world safer from the threats of natural disasters.
Preparations underway in Sendai, Japan, for of the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, which runs from 14-18 March 2015.
UNISDR/Andy McElroy

Lessons from Japan tsunami vital to new disaster risk reduction agreement, says UN official

11 March 2015
Three days before the opening of the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, the head of the United Nations office dedicated to dealing with the threat posed by disasters took part today in a ceremony of solemn remembrance in Tokyo for those who died in the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 11 March 2011.
Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Martin Dahinden.
UN Photo/Emma Simmons

Japan to host world conference on disaster risk reduction in 2015 – UN

23 May 2013
Japan will host the world conference slated to be held in 2015 at which countries will adopt the successor to the current global blueprint for disaster risk reduction efforts, it was announced today at a United Nation forum on the issue that wrapped up in Geneva.
Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson at the opening ceremony of the 4th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, Switzerland.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN global disasters forum opens with condolences for Oklahoma City tornado victims

21 May 2013
A United Nations forum dedicated to building resilience to disasters and making communities safer opened today in Geneva with expressions of sympathy for the people of Oklahoma City over the loss of life caused yesterday by a deadly tornado.
UNDP Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan.
UNDP

Importance of mobile technology during disasters highlighted at UN event

4 April 2013
A United Nations event, organized in conjunction with the Turkish Government, today highlighted the role of innovative mobile technology in saving lives when conflicts and disasters strike.
Margareta Wahlström, Assistant Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction.
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

UN celebrates disaster preparedness of Australian capital city

4 September 2012
The capital of Australia has been recognized as one of a group of global cities serving as role models in disaster risk management, the United Nations office tasked with disaster risk reduction announced today.
In Bangladesh, an innovative “disaster resilient village” was built in Shymnagar for a coastal village wiped out after Cyclone Aila.
UNDP Bangladesh/Nasif Ahmed

UN disaster reduction office launches initiative to help cities manage risk

18 April 2012
The United Nations office for disaster risk reduction today launched a new initiative to help cities across the world manage risk following the worst year on record for economic losses caused by disasters.