14 March 2016
WHO, UNISDR Call for Integrating Health in DRR
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The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the World Health Organization (WHO) called on national disaster management agencies to include health emergencies in their preparedness and response plans alongside earthquakes, floods and storms.

The call was made during the International Conference on the Implementation of the Health Aspects of the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030, which brought together over 300 representatives from 54 governments, the health and disaster risk fields, and international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

unisdr-who11 March 2016: The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have called on national disaster management agencies to include health emergencies in their preparedness and response plans alongside earthquakes, floods and storms. The call was made during the International Conference on the Implementation of the Health Aspects of the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030, which brought together over 300 representatives from 54 governments, the health and disaster risk fields, and international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The conference, which convened from 10-11 March 2016, in Bangkok, Thailand, identified opportunities to integrate health in DRR, and advocated for health as a key issue in building disaster resilience. The event concluded with the adoption of the ‘Bangkok Principles,’ a set of recommendations emphasizing strengthened coordination regarding efforts to reduce risk from biological hazards.

Addressing the conference, Robert Glasser, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for DRR and UNISDR Head, emphasized the need to “break down the silos in disaster management” and adopt a multi-hazard approach. He called for long-term investment in: trained health workers; robust health information systems; appropriate infrastructure; sufficient financing and transparent financial management systems; a strong health governance system; and research and development for medical products, vaccines and diagnostics.

Glasser said the Bangkok Principles will lead to further opportunities for collaboration in implementing the Sendai Framework. He noted the discussions will feed into the Asia Regional Plan for implementation of the Sendai Framework, which will be announced at the next Asian Ministerial Conference for DRR, scheduled to take place in New Delhi, India, in November 2016.

Bruce Aylward, WHO, said the Sendai Framework is a valuable instrument for ensuring better health outcomes in disasters, and emphasized the need for “resilient health systems and the integration of disaster risk management into health care provision at all levels.” He said the ‘Bangkok Principles’ will help countries accept the fact that biological hazards “are part of the new normal and are here to stay.”

The seven ‘Bangkok Principles for the The International Conference on the Implementation of the Health Aspects of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030’ recommend: integrating health into national and subnational DRR policies and plans, and including emergency and disaster risk management programmes in health strategies; enhancing cooperation between health authorities and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen national capacities for disaster risk management for health and resilient health systems; stimulating people-centered investment in emergency and DRR, including in health facilities and infrastructure; integrating DRR into health education and training and strengthening DRR capacity of health workers; incorporating disaster-related mortality, morbidity and disability data into multi-hazard early warning systems, health core indicators and national risk assessments; advocating for, and supporting, cross-sectoral, transboundary collaboration; and promoting coherence and development of local and national policies and strategies, legal frameworks, regulations and institutional arrangements. The conference was organized by the Government of Thailand, UNISDR and WHO.

In an interview with the UN News Centre, Glasser emphasized the importance of addressing disaster risk, given that, in 2015, for example, nearly 350 disasters were reported, as were over 22,000 deaths and US$66.5 billion in economic damage.

Glasser explained that the Sendai Framework seeks substantial reductions in disaster losses, including mortality, the numbers of persons affected by disasters, economic losses and damage to critical infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals. He said DRR is fundamental to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change. He stressed that climate change is “the single biggest disaster risk,” and that emissions must be reduced in order avoid a “massive increase” in extreme weather events. [Conference Website] [Statement of UNISDR Head] [UNISDR Press Release on Bangkok Principles] [UNISDR Press Release on Opening of Conference][UN News Centre Interview with Robert Glasser]

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