Prioritizing Disaster Risk Reduction: The Sendai Framework

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) is a global agreement adopted by the United Nations (UN) member states in 2015 to guide disaster risk reduction efforts worldwide from 2015 to 2030. The SFDRR has four priorities that aim to reduce disaster risk, increase resilience, and achieve sustainable development. This essay discusses these four priorities and their importance in achieving the goals of the SFDRR.

The first priority of the SFDRR is to understand disaster risk. This priority emphasizes the importance of knowing the hazards, exposure, and vulnerabilities of communities to disasters. Understanding these factors enables policymakers, practitioners, and communities to make informed decisions about disaster risk reduction measures. The SFDRR highlights the need for risk assessments to be used as a basis for disaster risk reduction plans and policies (UNISDR, 2015).

The second priority is to strengthen disaster risk governance. This priority recognizes that effective disaster risk reduction requires a whole-of-society approach, with participation from all levels of government, civil society, and the private sector. The SFDRR emphasizes the importance of governance structures that promote coordination, coherence, and accountability in disaster risk reduction efforts. This priority also emphasizes the need for disaster risk reduction to be integrated into development planning and decision-making processes (UNISDR, 2015).

The third priority is to invest in disaster risk reduction for resilience. This priority emphasizes the need for investment in disaster risk reduction measures that enhance the resilience of communities and reduce the impact of disasters on vulnerable populations. The SFDRR emphasizes the importance of investing in disaster risk reduction measures that are gender-sensitive, socially inclusive, and take into account the needs of vulnerable groups, such as women, children, and the elderly (UNISDR, 2015).

The fourth priority is to enhance disaster preparedness for effective response and to "Build Back Better" in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. This priority emphasizes the importance of being prepared for disasters and the need for effective response and recovery measures. The SFDRR highlights the importance of ensuring that disaster response and recovery measures are integrated into development planning and decision-making processes. The SFDRR also emphasizes the need for disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts to build back better and reduce the risk of future disasters (UNISDR, 2015).

In conclusion, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction is a global agreement that aims to guide disaster risk reduction efforts worldwide. The SFDRR has four priorities that emphasize the importance of understanding disaster risk, strengthening disaster risk governance, investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, and enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and recovery. These priorities are important in achieving the goals of the SFDRR and reducing disaster risk worldwide.

References

United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). (2015). Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. Retrieved from https://www.unisdr.org/we/coordinate/sendai-framework