Sendai Framework: Disaster Risk Management & Sustainable Development
Did you know that the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, adopted in 2015, is not legally binding? Despite this, its influence on global disaster risk management policy is profound, guiding everything from national strategies to local community initiatives. Let's explore the framework and uncover how it shapes our world's approach to resilience.
What is the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction?
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 is a comprehensive, non-binding agreement adopted by United Nations member states at the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, in March 2015. It outlines a set of priorities and actions to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risk. It superseded the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015 and represents a significant shift towards a more proactive and holistic approach to disaster risk management.
The framework recognizes that the State has the primary role to reduce disaster risk but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders including local government, the private sector and other organizations. The Sendai Framework aims to achieve substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries over the next 15 years.
The Four Priorities for Action
The Sendai Framework is structured around four key priorities for action, designed to guide efforts in disaster risk reduction at local, national, regional, and global levels. These priorities are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, emphasizing a comprehensive and integrated approach.
- Understanding Disaster Risk: This involves enhancing the understanding of disaster risk in all its dimensions of vulnerability, capacity, exposure of persons and assets, hazard characteristics and the environment. This includes improving risk assessment and mapping, strengthening data collection and analysis, and promoting scientific research on disaster risk.
- Strengthening Risk Governance to Manage Disaster Risk: This priority focuses on developing and implementing effective risk governance strategies at national, regional, and global levels. It includes establishing clear institutional roles and responsibilities, promoting policy coherence across sectors, and strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks for disaster risk management.
- Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience: This involves allocating adequate resources to disaster risk reduction measures, including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and recovery. This includes investing in infrastructure, technology, education, and training to enhance community resilience and reduce vulnerability to disasters. According to a 2024 study by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), investments in early warning systems have shown a 4-to-1 return in terms of lives saved and economic losses avoided.
- Enhancing Disaster Preparedness for Effective Response and to "Build Back Better" in Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction: This priority focuses on strengthening disaster preparedness measures to ensure effective response and recovery. It includes developing and testing disaster preparedness plans, strengthening early warning systems, and promoting community resilience. It also emphasizes the importance of "building back better" in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction to reduce future disaster risk.
Goals and Expected Outcomes
The Sendai Framework outlines seven global targets to be achieved over the 15-year period (2015-2030). These targets provide a concrete roadmap for measuring progress in disaster risk reduction.
| Goal | Description |
|---|---|
| Substantially reduce global disaster mortality by 2030 | Aimed at reducing the average per 100,000 global mortality between 2020-2030 compared to 2005-2015. |
| Substantially reduce the number of affected people globally by 2030 | Aimed at reducing the average global number of affected people per 100,000 between 2020-2030 compared to 2005-2015. |
| Reduce direct disaster economic loss in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030 | Focuses on minimizing economic losses caused by disasters. |
| Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services, among them health and educational facilities, including through developing their resilience by 2030 | Protecting essential infrastructure and services from disaster impacts. |
| Substantially increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020 | Promoting the adoption of disaster risk reduction strategies at all levels of governance. |
| Substantially enhance international cooperation to developing countries through adequate and sustainable support to complement their national actions for implementation of the present Framework by 2030 | Strengthening international cooperation to support developing countries in implementing the framework. |
| Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to the people by 2030 | Improving early warning systems and access to disaster risk information. |
The Importance of Community Resilience
The Sendai Framework emphasizes the critical role of community resilience in disaster risk reduction. Community resilience refers to the ability of communities to withstand, adapt to, and recover from the effects of hazards in a timely and efficient manner. Building community resilience requires empowering local communities, promoting their participation in disaster risk management, and strengthening their capacity to cope with disasters.
This includes ensuring access to information, resources, and technology, as well as promoting social cohesion and collective action. The framework recognizes that community resilience is essential for achieving sustainable development and reducing vulnerability to disasters. It also recognizes that engaging communities in risk assessment and planning is essential for creating relevant and effective solutions. This focus helps ensure that disaster risk management is not something done to communities, but with them.
Empowering Local Communities
Empowering local communities means providing them with the resources, knowledge, and authority to make decisions about their own safety and well-being. This includes supporting local initiatives, promoting participatory planning processes, and strengthening local leadership.
Enhancing Social Cohesion
Enhancing social cohesion involves promoting trust, cooperation, and mutual support within communities. This can be achieved through community-based activities, social programs, and initiatives that foster a sense of belonging and shared responsibility.
Integrating Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Development
The Sendai Framework recognizes the close relationship between disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development. It emphasizes the need to integrate disaster risk reduction into climate change adaptation and sustainable development policies and programs. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of many hazards, making disaster risk reduction even more critical. Similarly, sustainable development practices can reduce vulnerability to disasters and enhance resilience.
The framework promotes a holistic approach that addresses the underlying drivers of disaster risk, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. It encourages countries to adopt integrated strategies that promote both disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. Statistics show that investments in climate change adaptation can significantly reduce disaster risk, saving lives and protecting livelihoods.
In essence, the Sendai Framework recognizes that a truly resilient future can only be achieved by addressing the interconnected challenges of disaster risk, climate change, and sustainable development. By integrating these concepts into policies and practices, nations can create safer, more equitable, and more sustainable communities.
Addressing Underlying Risk Drivers
Addressing the underlying drivers of disaster risk, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation, is crucial for achieving long-term resilience. This requires targeted interventions that address the root causes of vulnerability.
Promoting Policy Coherence
Promoting policy coherence across sectors, such as environment, development, and disaster management, is essential for ensuring that disaster risk reduction is integrated into all aspects of government policy and practice.
The Role of International Cooperation
International cooperation is a cornerstone of the Sendai Framework. Recognizing that disaster risk is a global challenge, the framework emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts among countries, international organizations, and other stakeholders. International cooperation can take many forms, including financial assistance, technical support, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.
Developed countries are encouraged to provide support to developing countries in implementing the framework. This support can help developing countries strengthen their disaster risk management capabilities and build resilience to disasters. Furthermore, international cooperation enables the sharing of best practices and lessons learned, accelerating progress towards achieving the framework's goals. According to the United Nations, effective international cooperation can significantly reduce the impact of disasters in vulnerable countries. Below are some key areas of international cooperation:
| Area of Cooperation | Description |
|---|---|
| Financial Assistance | Providing financial resources to support disaster risk reduction efforts in developing countries. |
| Technical Support | Offering technical expertise and guidance to help countries develop and implement effective disaster risk management strategies. |
| Knowledge Sharing | Exchanging information and best practices on disaster risk reduction. |
| Capacity Building | Support to strengthen national capacities for managing and mitigating disaster risks. |
Strengthening Partnerships
Strengthening partnerships between governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society is essential for effective disaster risk reduction. These partnerships can leverage diverse resources and expertise to achieve common goals.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction:
- Q: Is the Sendai Framework legally binding?
A: No, the Sendai Framework is a non-binding agreement. However, it provides a globally recognized framework for disaster risk reduction and guides national and international policies. - Q: What is the difference between the Sendai Framework and the Hyogo Framework for Action?
A: The Sendai Framework builds upon the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) and represents a shift towards a more proactive and holistic approach to disaster risk management. It places greater emphasis on understanding disaster risk, strengthening risk governance, and investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience. - Q: How can individuals contribute to the implementation of the Sendai Framework?
A: Individuals can contribute by becoming informed about disaster risk in their communities, participating in disaster preparedness activities, supporting local initiatives, and advocating for policies that promote disaster risk reduction.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction offers a crucial roadmap for building a more resilient and sustainable world. By understanding its principles, prioritizing its actions, and fostering collaboration, we can collectively reduce the devastating impact of disasters on communities worldwide. Now, share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, or ask any further questions you may have about the Sendai Framework!