United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction is a vital part of the United Nations system, working closely with United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme, and World Bank to reduce disaster risk and losses. The office collaborates with various stakeholders, including International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Organization for Migration, and World Health Organization, to achieve its goals. As a key player in the global effort to reduce disaster risk, the office works in partnership with European Union, Asian Development Bank, and African Union to support countries in their disaster risk reduction efforts. The office also engages with International Council of Voluntary Agencies, Non-governmental organizations, and Civil society to promote community-based disaster risk reduction initiatives.

● Introduction

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction plays a critical role in supporting countries to reduce their disaster risk and losses, working in close collaboration with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Meteorological Organization, and Food and Agriculture Organization. The office provides technical assistance and support to countries to develop and implement their Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction plans, in partnership with International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, United Nations Children's Fund, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The office also works with World Trade Organization, International Labour Organization, and United Nations Industrial Development Organization to promote disaster risk reduction in the context of Sustainable development and Climate change. Furthermore, the office collaborates with Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, International Finance Corporation, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to support disaster risk reduction investments.

● History

The United Nations General Assembly established the office in 1999, following the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (1990-1999), which was launched by United Nations to reduce the impact of natural disasters worldwide, in collaboration with United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations Development Programme, and World Bank. The office was initially known as the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction secretariat and was later renamed to its current name in 2009, with the support of European Union, African Union, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The office has since worked closely with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Organization for Migration, and World Health Organization to support countries in their disaster risk reduction efforts, including the development of the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), in partnership with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Meteorological Organization, and Food and Agriculture Organization.

● Mandate_and_Functions

The office has a mandate to support countries to reduce their disaster risk and losses, working in close collaboration with United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme, and World Bank. The office provides technical assistance and support to countries to develop and implement their Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction plans, in partnership with International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, United Nations Children's Fund, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The office also works with World Trade Organization, International Labour Organization, and United Nations Industrial Development Organization to promote disaster risk reduction in the context of Sustainable development and Climate change. Furthermore, the office collaborates with Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, International Finance Corporation, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to support disaster risk reduction investments, and works closely with International Council of Voluntary Agencies, Non-governmental organizations, and Civil society to promote community-based disaster risk reduction initiatives.

● Organization_and_Structure

The office is headed by a Special Representative of the Secretary-General and is supported by a team of experts in disaster risk reduction, including United Nations Volunteers, United Nations Development Programme, and World Bank staff. The office has a global presence, with regional offices in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean, and works in partnership with Regional organizations, such as African Union, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and European Union. The office also collaborates with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Organization for Migration, and World Health Organization to support countries in their disaster risk reduction efforts, and engages with International Council of Voluntary Agencies, Non-governmental organizations, and Civil society to promote community-based disaster risk reduction initiatives.

● Initiatives_and_Programs

The office has launched several initiatives and programs to support countries to reduce their disaster risk and losses, including the Making Cities Resilient campaign, which is supported by United Nations Human Settlements Programme, World Bank, and European Union. The office also works with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Organization for Migration, and World Health Organization to support countries in their disaster risk reduction efforts, including the development of Disaster risk reduction plans and the implementation of Early warning systems, in partnership with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Meteorological Organization, and Food and Agriculture Organization. Furthermore, the office collaborates with Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, International Finance Corporation, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to support disaster risk reduction investments, and works closely with International Council of Voluntary Agencies, Non-governmental organizations, and Civil society to promote community-based disaster risk reduction initiatives.

● Global_Assessments_and_Reports

The office produces several global assessments and reports, including the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction, which is supported by United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme, and World Bank. The report provides an overview of the current state of disaster risk reduction globally, and highlights the progress made by countries in implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, in partnership with International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, United Nations Children's Fund, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The office also produces the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction progress report, which is supported by European Union, African Union, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and works closely with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Organization for Migration, and World Health Organization to support countries in their disaster risk reduction efforts. Additionally, the office collaborates with Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, International Finance Corporation, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to support disaster risk reduction investments, and engages with International Council of Voluntary Agencies, Non-governmental organizations, and Civil society to promote community-based disaster risk reduction initiatives. Category:United Nations specialized agencies