Asia-Pacific nations vow to work for disaster risk

India and nearly 50 other countries of the Asia-Pacific region have resolved to work together for handling all natural disasters through a common global framework.

In a joint statement, which was termed as the “New Delhi Declaration”, nations participating in a three-day Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR), 2016, spelt out the commitment towards preventing and reducing disaster risk, and strengthening the resilience of communities.

“Recognising the need to accelerate the implementation of global frameworks, it commits to a people-centred and whole-of-society approach towards Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). It also emphasises the need to enhance the capacity of communities and ensure participation of all stakeholder groups towards achieving resilience,” the statement said.

The meet also arrived at a long-term roadmap of cooperation and collaboration, spanning the 15-year horizon of the Sendai Framework, as well as a two-year action plan to further disaster risk reduction with specific, actionable activities. This was the first Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction after the advent of SFDRR.

An ‘Asian Regional Plan for Implementation of the Sendai Framework’ which focuses on how to reduce disaster risk at national and local levels was also announced.

The conference also commemorated the first World Tsunami Awareness Day. The observance of the day stressed on the importance of early warning systems and preparedness of communities in order to mitigate damage from the often devastating natural hazard.