International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDRR) is one of the United Nations international holidays and is held every 13th October. It was established in 1989 following the request by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a worldwide culture of disaster reduction and risk awareness. The day commemorates ways by which people and communities across the globe are reducing exposure to disasters as well as raising awareness on the importance of curbing the risks they face. The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction acknowledges the journey toward reducing disaster risk and losses in health, lives, and livelihoods. In accordance with the UN guidelines, this day is observed with the Sendai Seven Campaign framework.
Disaster risk for any country is the combination of hazard, exposure to it and vulnerability, the need to join hands at a global level. Sudden onset disasters displace millions of people every year and also result in the complete unavailability of basic needs for people around the world. Disasters affect low-income and middle-income countries inordinately, specifically in terms of economic losses, mortality, the number of people displaced, injured, and homeless, and damage to infrastructure. We cannot eradicate hunger and poverty if we don’t step up and invest in reducing disaster risk. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR, Mami Mizutori, quoted that we can only make true progress towards a safer and more resilient world together.
Step up and be the change!
The Theme of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2021
The 2021 edition of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction will focus attention on “International cooperation for developing countries to reduce their disaster risk and disaster losses”. This theme spotlights the significance of international cooperation in overcoming the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. When it comes to delivering on the agenda that was agreed in 2015, this year promises to be a make or break year. If we don’t take real action on climate change in ten years to come, developing countries will be overwhelmed by extreme weather events. The year 2021 aims to significantly strengthen international cooperation with developing countries through sustainable and adequate support to round off their national actions for implementing the current framework by the year 2030.
Extreme weather events
Significance of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is an international initiative to reduce disaster risk, through the contribution of various countries. The key to reducing disaster is cautious measures and the creation of awareness. Every country in the world needs to be strengthened and the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction spreads awareness with greater effects. International support for DRR helps eradicate hunger, poverty, and reduce economic losses in developing countries. International cooperation is critical to ensure that no vulnerable people are left behind during disasters. International cooperation through capacity building boosts disaster resilience in the face of natural and man-made hazards, as well as extreme weather events.
Every person can promote the International Day for Disaster Reduction by learning that each one of us individually has the power to control disaster. By spreading awareness on disaster reduction in every possible way, we can impact the world positively. International Day for Disaster Reduction reminds us all that there are disasters around us and we can work together to control them. Time is running out! Only together can we save our planet. Happy International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction!