A global review of disaster reduction initiatives - Welcome to the ...

Challenges for the future7Challenges for the futureIDNDR mid-reviewin YokohamaThe mid-term reviewof IDNDR, at theWorld Conference onNatural DisasterReduction in Yokohama,May 1994,revealed in its assessmentthat “ awarenessof the potential benefitsof disaster reduction isstill limited to specialisedcircles and hasyet not been successfullycommunicated to allsectors of society…” Inaddition, it states that a“number of positiveresults have beenachieved…althoughunevenly and not in theconcerted and systematicway envisaged…”These are challengesstill to be addressed.As recognized by the IDNDR Programme Forum in 1999, a great dealof learning and experience was gained by individuals, communities, governmentsand specialists from different fields during the Decade. Manynational and local plans have benefited from progress made at all levels onemploying new institutional and technical tools for improving disasterreduction practices. Particularly valuable advances occurred in theincreasing use of risk assessments, specific methodologies and researchinitiatives, early warning systems, information, training, education andpublic awareness activities.Nevertheless, no formal evaluation of achievements or systematic monitoringof progress was carried out. Therefore, the ISDR secretariat hasembarked on developing a process for a continuous global review of disasterreduction initiatives. The aim is twofold: to gather and provideinformation on ongoing activities and the evolving “state of the art” ofdisaster risk reduction, and to initiate the development of a conceptualframework for monitoring progress made by governments, civil societyand other relevant organizations.This final chapter outlines some of the main conclusions and recommendationsstemming from the research and consultation effort undertaken forthis global review.Only by showing evidence of the benefits of reducing the vulnerability todisasters can future investment and priorities in this area be sustained.The continuous work of local and grass roots organizations, governments,the scientific and technical community, international and regionalorganizations remains essential to unite efforts in a common process toensure sustainable development. This is where the ISDR mechanismsshould make a difference.The process of reviewing disaster reduction initiatives is an essential functionof the ISDR, which will be gradually enhanced. This initial workreflected in Living with risk will contribute to the process of the ten-yearreview of achievements and shortcomings in the implementation of theYokohama Strategy and Plan of Action of 1994. This exercise, planned for2003, is expected to be completed in 2004. It should also contribute toshaping the growing international agenda for disaster risk reduction.This current issue of the global review is a preliminary version, intendedfor consultation and discussion. It is expected to spark an exchange ofideas and wider circulation of experiences among those interested in thesubject – scholars, practitioners, policy-makers, leaders, managers andprofessionals concerned with the enormous losses in lives and assetscaused by the lack of prevention and protection from disasters that slowsdevelopment and renders it more difficult and expensive. The globalreview will be elaborated and refined further based on the commentsreceived and additional experience disclosed by new developments.327