Disaster Risk Reduction Framework of Action Released

Sendai, Japan – After marathon meetings and negotiations at the 3rd United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), the HFA 2.0 or Hyogo Framework of Action for 2015-2030 was released on March 18, 2015. This is the revised document from the initial HFA that proposed DRR methods on a global scale, originally drafted in 2005.

The 5-day conference, held once every decade, was attended by world leaders from multi-sectors such as governments, non-government organizations, media, women’s groups, people with disabilities, private sectors, children and youth.

The HFA 2.0 addresses 4 priorities:
Priority 1: Understanding disaster risk
Priority 2: Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk
Priority 3: Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience
Priority 4: Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction

The HFA has 7 global targets :
1. a substantial reduction in global disaster mortality
2. a substantial reduction in numbers of affected people
3. a reduction in economic losses in relation to global GDP
4. substantial reduction in disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services, including health and education facilities
5. an increase in the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020
6. enhanced international cooperation
7. increased access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments.

Building Resilience
This framework comes four years after the Great East Asia Earthquake in Japan. As one of the hardest hit areas of the tragedy that claimed 20,000 lives, the city of Sendai has shown the world their resilience through recovery efforts. Proof of this is their successful hosting of the conference with over 10,000 attendees.

However, in areas where the tsunami occurred, it would still take years for their complete rehabilitation. With soil drenched by salt water from the sea, agriculture in these areas was not possible at the moment.

Current recovery efforts included building better roads, elevating them by three meters as protection against tsunami.

Affected communities were relocated by their original clusters, which allowed residents to still live in close proximity with neighbors after transferring to safer areas.

Philippine contingents contribute to HFA
With the Philippines being of one the most disaster-prone countries, Filipino representatives at the conference significantly contributed to the drafting of the HFA 2.0.

Their input comprised of the following:

Inclusion of the elderly in policy making. Aside from the fact that the elderly have had years of experience on disasters, their participation will also allow the framework to develop DRR methods that consider their welfare.

Inclusion of the indigenous people. With traditional knowledge built by years of living in close contact with nature, the indigenous sector is a valuable contributor to the development of climate adaptation and disaster resiliency.

Highlighting the role of migrants. Migrants will also assist communities and societies in the structural design and implementation of DRR efforts.

Utilizing the sectors of the academe, science and research. These entities shall be focusing on disaster risk factors and scenarios, as well as emerging hazard risks in medium and long-term periods, in both regional and national levels—a wealth of information that can aid policy-makers.

Linkage with business, professional associations and private sectors. Doing so will be able to sustain DRR efforts. These sectors shall be integrating DRR in their business models to promote resiliency and continuous sustainable development of communities.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) also shared their multi-hazard tool called Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards), which highlights maps that identify areas prone to floods and storm surges. Dr. Mahar Lagmay introduced WebSafe, a newly developed tool that provides visualization of the possible extent of a disaster and its impact to the people.

A national framework on Comprehensive School Safety, which incorporated disaster management in the school curriculum, was discussed by Education Assistant Secretary Laguda. The framework includes activities related to the arts, music and play, which students can share with family members.

Climate Change Commissioner Lucille Sering explained the importance of the Eco-town framework being done in the Philippines. This is a local implementation mechanism of the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) that gives direction to sustainable economic growth from 2011 to 2028. Through Eco-town, municipalities in areas most vulnerable to climate risks are given methods on mitigation and prevention.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman, who led the Philippine delegation, said in an exclusive interview with Panahon TV, “Napakahalaga ng conference na ito dahil nangyayari lamang ito every ten years. Yung mapagkakayarian, magiging batayan ng kilos, pagtulong at pakikipagtrabaho para babaan ang risko,” (This conference is really important because it only happens every ten years. And what will be agreed on this will be our new guidelines in implementing the revised framework for reducing risks.)

Children and Youth
As the HFA 2.0 paved the way on how countries could unite in addressing DRR, the children and youth sector also actively participated in the conference through the Children and Youth Forum, where they presented practical and innovative solutions for DRR.

Conference Highlights
During the conference, Cyclone Pam with category-5 strength, devastated the Pacific Island nation, Vanuatu. President Baldwin Lonsdale appealed to the international community for support.

With over a hundred forums in the famed “City of Trees,” the conference also included the private sector, whose resources and expertise were considered crucial to DRR.

Meteorological organizations, headed by the World Meteorological Organization, presented global figures on weather and climate, as well as new policies and technologies. Meanwhile, various sectors also introduced new applications of technologies in the fields of communication, automotive, construction, and health in exhibitions and at the BOSAI Fair.

Media waiting for HFA 2.0

With reports from Donna Lina-Flavier and George Gamayo
Photos by Garrie David