5 July 2012: The UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) has announced that ten Iranian cities, namely Fariman, Dargaz, Sabzevar, Kashmar, Chenaran, Torbat-e-Heidariyyel, Shandiz, Gonabad, Bajestan and Qouchan, have joined its Making Cities Resilient Campaign. The cities are all located in the disaster-prone province of Khorasan Razavi.

According to UNISDR, over recent years Iran has made significant progress in developing resilient infrastructure, particularly in strengthening school infrastructure throughout the country. Through its Safe Schools initiative, Iran has designated $4 billion to building earthquake-proof schools and retrofitting.

The Campaign, launched in 2010, demonstrates local leadership and raises awareness of how efforts to reduce disaster risk are making cities safer and more resilient. The Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient include: organization and coordination of risk management; budget assignation; preparation of risk assessments; investment and maintenance of infrastructure that reduces risk; safe schools and health facilities; risk compliant building regulations and land use planning; education and training in disaster reduction; protection of ecosystems and natural buffers; early warning systems and emergency management; and the needs of survivors. The Campaign now has over 1,040 members in over 80 countries. [UNISDR Press Release]