UNESCO’s commitment to disaster risk reduction
Disasters are increasing and having an ever more dramatic effect on the world in terms of human and economic costs. Climate change, urban migration and concentration, and high levels of inequity have been identified as major global sustainability challenges.
The frequency and intensity of climate-related hazards such as cyclones, flooding, and drought are rising, and their impact is being amplified by poorly implemented development strategies, unsustainable land use practices such as deforestation, economic inequality and lack of preparedness.
Impacts of natural hazards
UNESCO's role
The issues related to disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation are cross-cutting, and relevant to all of UNESCO’s fields of competence. With that in mind, UNESCO’s strategy for 2022-2029 prioritizes support for Member States in strengthening their skills and resources for preparedness and prevention, management, response and post-disaster recovery.
To this end, UNESCO is promoting the establishment of open-access and knowledge-sharing platforms, as well as the inclusion of women, indigenous peoples and marginalized groups through cooperation and partnerships at all levels.
Key strengths
Operating at the interface of the natural and social sciences, education, culture, and communication and information, UNESCO is uniquely positioned to contribute to disaster risk reduction. The organization’s wide mandate and expertise enables it to take a multi-hazard, multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder participatory approach, which is unique amongst UN agencies.
Multi-hazard approach
UNESCO provides solutions to a multitude of hazards ranging from extreme meteorological events to earthquakes and tsunamis. It is one of the few organizations to have such a multi-hazards approach. UNESCO addresses two categories of natural hazards:
- Geohazards such as earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions
- Meteorological hazards, which include cyclones, floods and droughts
Multi-disciplinary approach
By relying primarily on soft measures, UNESCO pushes forward an agenda of prevention relying on creating ties between communities, nature and technology. Early warning systems, building codes, raising awareness and capacity building are just as important as constructing resilient infrastructure. These soft measures enable communities to strengthen their resilience to natural hazards in the long term by internalizing resilient practices.
Multi-stakeholder approach
UNESCO routinely aims to tackle disaster risk reduction following more practical projects. Multi-stakeholder participation is key to the success of disaster risk reduction. Going from community, women, and youth involvement to discussing with policymakers, UNESCO strives to implement projects and policies which are co-designed, co-developed, deployed, tested and applied with all relevant partners and local stakeholders.
91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ an extensive network of field experts, community leaders and policymakers to ensure the reliability of the policies and projects it participates in. Its mandate enables it to provide a more holistic approach to disaster risk reduction and crisis response. UNESCO’s diverse academic base brings forward multiple and different points of views, which strengthen our participation in the field.
