13 October 2014: This year’s International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) focused on the contributions of older people in combating climate change and to the post-2015 disaster risk reduction (DRR) framework. The Day focused on the theme ‘Resilience is for Life,’ with celebrations that: called for a more inclusive approach for older people in DRR; emphasized their needs; recognized their role in and contribution to better planning and understanding of disaster risk; and addressed how they can help build resilience in their communities using their experience and knowledge.

In a statement delivered to mark the Day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the importance of recognizing that older people have strengths that can serve the community at large, and that their years of experience can help in reducing disaster risk. He urged involving them in disaster risk management-related planning and decision making.

Speaking ahead of IDDR, Monique Barbut, Executive Secretary, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), stated that seniors might have life insurance and pension schemes, but “they are more vulnerable to natural disasters than any other group,” as well as the most likely to go unnoticed by relief teams. Seniors are often the ones left behind when degraded lands and refugee camps empty when a disaster hits.

Initially, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) established IDDR in 1989, calling for its observance on the second Wednesday of October each as part of a ‘Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.’ However, in 2009, UNGA decided to designate 13 October as the official commemoration date. The aim of the Day is to raise awareness regarding how people are taking action to reduce disaster risk and help build climate-resilient communities.

A video released for the Day highlights the need to bridge the generation gap between young and old in order to share knowledge and traditions about environmental awareness and disaster prevention. [UN IDDR Website] [UNISDR IDDR Website and Video Link] [UNCCD Press Release] [UNISDR Press Release] [UN Press Release]