7 February 2011: The UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) has announced that 279 municipalities of Tyrol, Austria, have joined the UN disaster reduction campaign “Making Cities Resilient: My City Is Getting Ready!,” under the leadership of the City of Lienz.

UN/ISDR reported that Tyrol is planning an innovative approach to disaster risk reduction (DRR), according to which each municipality will hold expert-led workshops to prepare a comprehensive disaster risk portfolio following a standardized methodology between 2010 and 2013. Tyrol has agreed to share its extensive DRR knowledge in the context of the Campaign.

The aim of the Campaign is to enlist over 1,000 local government leaders to invest more in DRR, including: improving urban planning, infrastructure and building safety; reinforcing drainage systems to reduce flood, storm and health threats; installing early warning systems; conducting public preparedness drills; and taking measures to adapt to the increasing impacts of climate change. [UN/ISDR Press Release]