1 March 2018: The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) has launched an effort to collect comprehensive data on disaster losses through an online tool that will capture data on achieving the targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). It will contribute to reducing mortality from disasters, decreasing the numbers of those affected by disasters, reducing economic losses, lessening damage to critical infrastructure, and recording the number of countries with national and local DRR strategies.

The Sendai Framework Monitor, launched on 1 March 2018, is based on a set of 38 indicators that will track progress in implementing the Sendai Framework’s seven targets and related SDGs and targets, particularly SDGs 1 (no poverty), 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and 13 (climate action). The Framework Monitor will also help countries develop DRR strategies, make risk-informed policy decisions and allocate resources to prevent new disaster risks. As of 1 March, countries must use the Framework Monitor to report against the 38 indicators.

The Framework Monitor will help countries develop DRR strategies, make risk-informed policy decisions and allocate resources to prevent new disaster risks.

In a statement, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for DRR Mami Mizutori stressed the importance of measuring disaster losses for both small-scale and large-scale events, particularly at the local level, to prevent disasters and manage risk. She said the Sendai Framework Monitor will provide inputs to the first report on achieving progress on implementing the SDGs in July 2018.

In monitoring their progress, countries will use both global and custom targets and indicators. The global indicators will measure progress by all countries on DRR by 2030, which will contribute to a global analysis of country-level information to be documented in biennial Global Assessment Reports. Custom targets and indicators are nationally defined instruments to measure progress against the Sendai Framework’s priorities. They are based on national priorities and will be reflected in national DRR reports. [UNISDR News Story] [Introduction to the Sendai Framework Monitor] [Sendai Framework Monitor Indicators] [Sendai Framework Monitor Website]

UNISDR has also published a collection of technical notes on data and methodology titled, ‘Technical Guidance for Monitoring and Reporting on Progress in Achieving the Global Targets of the Sendai Framework,’ to enable consistent measurement of progress towards implementing the Sendai Framework and the SDGs. It details minimum standards that describe a common global understanding of indicators, data required and standard methodologies for countries that voluntarily use them. [Technical Guidance for Monitoring and Reporting on Progress in Achieving the Global Targets of the Sendai Framework]