What is the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction?
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is an initiative by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UN DRR) to better inform the public on disaster risk reduction and mitigation procedures. It’s celebrated every year on October 13 with different themes to acknowledge the progress made in reducing disaster risks and losses in lives, livelihoods, and health, aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
History
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction has origins tracing back to 1989. It was originally called the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction, following a call from the UN General Assembly to promote a global culture of disaster risk awareness, reduction, and preparedness. Its main goal was to raise awareness about the growing risks posed by natural disasters and the importance of preparedness and mitigation strategies.
In 2009, it was renamed to the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction to encompass a broader range of risks. No longer focusing on natural disasters, the UN called for organizations to also look into disasters exacerbated by human activities and climate change in their efforts to celebrate. After, the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan in 2015 resulted in the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, which set global targets for reducing disaster risks and enhancing resilience.
Why is it Celebrated
The UN uses international days as a general advocacy tool that, when paired with themes, make it more inclusive of different current problems and concerns around the world. Each of these days and their themes help organizations, schools, governments, and other governing or leading bodies better create activities that will be suited to their relevant markets and staff, making international days a great springboard for different awareness efforts and personal activities.
For instance, last 2023, the theme for International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was “fighting inequality for a resilient future,” which focused on the interconnection between disaster vulnerability and social inequality. This followed current trends on social inequality. With this theme, organizations were made aware of how unequal access to resources can exacerbate disaster risks, and how they can better improve such situations for all. This 2024, the theme for International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction centers on the “role of education in protecting and empowering youth for a disaster-free future,” which underscores the importance of the youth in mitigating and preparing for disasters.
In addition to promoting a culture of increased disaster awareness and preparedness, some other reasons the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is celebrated include the following:
- To provide more insights on the need for proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of disasters on communities and nations.
- To encourage more active and engaging participation from individuals, communities, and governments in building disaster-resilient societies.
- To highlight the importance of education in disaster preparedness, as it can significantly reduce risks and enhance community resilience.
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How to Celebrate International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Workplace
As celebrating the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is a worldwide affair, workplaces and employers have a duty to know how to best do so while taking into account how their employees may be receptive to different initiatives. Some ways this day may be celebrated at work include the following:
For General Workplaces
Provide sufficient trainings for disaster preparedness
Organize workshops, training sessions, drills, and seminars that focus on disaster preparedness, risk management, and resilience-building strategies. Invite experts to discuss relevant topics such as emergency response plans, evacuation procedures, and safety protocols. After, follow these up with mobile-ready training materials and courses that can be accessed anytime.
Promote the use of checklists for worker safety
Empower workers to observe proper safety and disaster preparedness protocols on their with ready-made checklists for emergencies. They can use these to ensure their personal first aid kits are sufficiently stocked, they have the necessary contact numbers, and they know of the proper evacuation and emergency procedures.
Checklists also help ensure that workplace equipment, tools, and assets are in good working condition, which is essential in preparing and preventing disasters.
Encourage CSR initiatives centered on disaster risk reduction
As part of your company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, consider creating and implementing initiatives that give employees a chance to participate in local community events related to disaster risk reduction. This could involve volunteering for organizations focused on emergency preparedness or participating in local drills.
For Schools
As the theme for 2024 for International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction revolves around the youth, schools may have different approaches for celebrating it. Some ways are the following:
- School-wide training: Organize workshops, games, and lessons that educate both teachers and students about disaster risks and preparedness. Topics can include emergency response plans, first aid training, and understanding natural hazards.
- Teacher-specific briefing: Teachers will be the first line of defense and the leaders in times of disasters, so they must be the most well-equipped for them. Provide them with mobile-ready training courses so they can conduct refresher trainings on their own time and properly inform students of them, ensuring they are always prepared and aware of possible changes in protocol.
- Student surveys: With digital forms easily accessible for teachers, you can empower teachers to conduct surveys regular surveys on students on disaster preparedness. Use their findings for better disaster risk reduction plans and efforts.
- Regular maintenance: Ensure all school equipment are properly maintained with an asset management system that allows teachers, school owners, and maintenance personnel to keep track of their usage history and conditions. Use templated checklists to streamline operations, and easily identify possible issues and concerns.
- Fleet management: Regular maintenance and management checks of school buses is also essential to keeping students and staff prepared for disasters. Orient bus drivers on proper safety protocols for emergencies and keep buses in good working order.
Roselin Manawis
