Depends on the kind of government we have, how our financial system works or what we teach in schools, each decision and action, makes us more vulnerable to disasters or more resilient to them. Lessening vulnerability of people, management of the environment and improving early warning for adverse events are examples of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and involves national governments, local government associations, international, regional and civil society organizations, donors, the private sector, academia and professional associations as well as every citizen.
In other words, reducing risk to disasters requires people understanding how they can best protect themselves. Education is a crucial means within local communities around the world to communicate, to motivate, and to engage. Awareness and learning about risks and dangers needs to start in early education, continuing through generations. There are formal and informal ways of exchanging knowledge through experience, information technology, staff training, media and other means that facilitate the sharing of information and knowledge to citizens, professionals and policymakers.
To conclude, around 85 percent of people around the world are exposed to natural hazards and live in developing countries. Therefore, the disaster risk reduction is essential for development to be sustainable in the future and in order to achieve it, should be the top priority of all stakeholders.
Source of information:
UNISDR – The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Post written by Carmen Rafecas.