IOM and Disaster Risk Reduction
Disaster Risk Reduction, or DRR, is the process of reducing the chances of a disaster happening. It involves addressing environmental and other hazards that increase the vulnerability of people to disasters. In short, it works to protect the most vulnerable parts of society from disasters. The SFDRR is made up of four priorities for action.
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction was adopted by the UN Member States at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in March 2015. The Framework highlights the role of the state in disaster risk reduction and emphasizes the importance of sharing the responsibility among all stakeholders. It also makes specific reference to the impact of disasters on displacement and stresses the importance of leveraging migrant knowledge and skills. IOM has committed itself to supporting the Framework’s priorities and supporting States in implementing it. It also calls for the use of a multi-hazard approach to risk management.
The Sendai Framework is ambitious, aiming to substantially reduce the risks of disasters globally. Its seven global targets lay out specific actions for reducing disaster risk. It also highlights the importance of strong political leadership in all countries and the involvement of all sectors in disaster risk reduction. The Framework includes a monitoring mechanism called the Sendai Framework Monitor, which tracks progress towards the global targets.
Four priorities for action of SFDRR
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) provides recommendations for disaster risk management. Its recommendations focus on reducing exposure to disasters and developing long-term solutions to these problems. The framework stresses the importance of engaging all sectors of society in disaster governance.
Implementation of the SFDRR requires more research, and it is important to consider the needs of people with disabilities and people living in areas where disasters are most likely to strike. It is unclear whether the SFDRR will be included in nation-state disaster risk reduction plans, and the implementation of the SFDRR may vary significantly. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the framework is the first global framework to consider the needs of people with disabilities. It also calls for increased investments in disaster risk reduction and enhanced preparedness.
Impact of disasters on development
Disasters have a number of indirect impacts on development. Poor access to resources, building skills, and knowledge may exacerbate vulnerabilities. These consequences may negatively affect a nation’s public health, foreign debt, and a host of other development indicators. As a result, countries that frequently experience disasters tend to experience stagnant development rates.
In addition to disasters, population movements and economic growth also change the context in which disasters occur. Mass migration has resulted in the growth of urban slums, many of which are built on unsound land and using inadequate construction techniques. Meanwhile, marginalization of rural communities has led to the displacement of rural families to increasingly insecure agricultural lands. As a result, poverty and vulnerability levels continue to rise.
Mitigation saves on disaster risk
Mitigation is a cost-effective strategy to reduce disaster risks. This strategy protects property and helps maintain business continuity. Several federal grants have shown that every dollar spent on mitigation will save $6 in future disaster costs. Other cost-effective mitigation strategies include strengthening building codes and upgrading existing buildings.
Disaster risk mitigation is a key element of emergency management. The goal of disaster mitigation is to reduce the impacts of disasters by reducing the damages and risks they cause to communities. This strategy includes such measures as building far away from floodplains, creating effective building codes to protect property from hurricanes, and engineering bridges to withstand earthquakes.
IOM’s role in disaster risk reduction
Disaster risk reduction is a crucial part of IOM’s work. Disaster risk reduction aims to mitigate the consequences of disasters and help people rebuild their lives. The organization supports multi-stakeholder partnerships such as the African Climate Mobility Initiative and the Platform on Disaster Displacement to help governments address these challenges. As a part of this work, it coordinates humanitarian assistance and promotes disaster-affected communities’ right to return home. The IOM also leads advocacy efforts and capacity-building for policymakers and contributes to global processes aimed at disaster risk reduction.
The IOM also collaborates with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), ensuring coordinated support for DRR. This approach aligns with the UN’s Plan of Action to address the risks posed by disasters. Specifically, IOM is an executive partner of the Capacity for Disaster Risk Reduction Initiative, which is the largest inter-agency mechanism in the world for risk reduction.