Transcript UNDP-BUREAU FOR CRISIS PREVENTION AND RECOVERY (BCPR)

UNDP-BUREAU FOR
CRISIS PREVENTION AND
RECOVERY (BCPR)
Disaster Reduction Unit
Disaster Reduction – A
Challenge to Sustainable
Development in Africa
THE SETTING
 75% of the world’s population live in areas
affected at least once by earthquake,
tropical cyclone, flood or drought between
1980 and 2000
 Billions of people in more than 100
countries are periodically exposed to at
least one disaster event triggered by these
hazards
THE SETTING
 More than 184 deaths per day are
recorded in different parts of the world
 While only 11% of the people exposed to
natural hazards live in countries classified
as exhibiting low human development,
they account for more than 53% of total
recorded deaths
THE SETTING
 UNDP-BCPR recognises that
development processes intervene in the
translation of physical exposure into
disaster events
 Disasters put development at risk but also
development choices can generate new
disaster risk
THE AFRICAN CONTEXT
 Africa – the only continent where disasters
have increased over the last decade
 Mortality is decreasing but the number of
those affected and economic losses
increasing
 Hydrological hazards occur most
pervasively but epidemics (including
HIV/AIDS) a major cause
THE AFRICAN CONTEXT
 In 2000-2001, 13% of Africa’s population
(35m) affected by disasters
 Natural hazards compounded by other
elements, such as conflict, while impact of
HIV/AIDS compromises food security and
capacity
 Countries in constant crisis management
 Disaster risks – a major threat to
development in Africa
ULTIMATE GOAL
Seamless programming between disaster
reduction and the development agenda
EXAMPLES OF COMMON
CONCERNS
 Growing vulnerabilities due to
demographic and land use changes –
urban and rural habitats
 Increasing erosion of natural resourcesdeforestation, draining of wetlands, etc
 Absence of or poorly enforced legislation
and institutions governing development
EXAMPLES OF COMMON
CONCERNS (2)
 Rapid industrialisation without the
necessary planning and institutional
arrangements
 Links between disaster risk,
environmental degradation and poverty –
the importance of combined approaches
through poverty reduction
EXAMPLES OF COMMON
CONCERN (3)
 Understanding the destructive influence of
HIV/AIDS in risk accumulation and disaster
vulnerability
 Understanding the complexities of the
relationship between conflict, natural hazards
and human development
DEVELOPMENT NEEDS TO BE REGULATED
ACCORDING TO ITS IMPACT ON DISASTER
RISK AND VICE VERSA
IMPLICATIONS FOR AFRICA
 Understand the hazard, vulnerability and
capacity profile – thorough assessment at all
levels
 Understand that natural hazards are only one of
the potential threats to life and livelihoods
 Institutions and structures that relate to the
hazard profile and the threat levels
 Stress the importance of utilising existing
resources and capacities – cost effectiveness
IMPLICATIONS FOR AFRICA (2)
 Integration of disaster risk reduction in
development – identification of risk reduction
priorities and actions the PRSP, UNDAF and in
projects aimed at achieving the MDGs
 Additional compensatory risk management –
addressing already accumulated risk through
preparedness, etc
 What is the regional role? Co-ordination?
Facilitation? Operations? Information? Or a
combination?