UN calls for strengthening disaster resilience starting from homes
The UN called on governments and communities to strengthen disaster resilience starting from homes, emphasizing the importance of providing safe housing and saving lives.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
New York, October 13 (KUNA) -- The United Nations called on governments, the private sector, and communities worldwide to prioritize building resilience against disasters, starting at the household level, emphasizing that providing safe housing contributes to saving lives and reducing human and material losses. This was stated in a message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the occasion of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, observed annually on October 13. This year’s theme is “Resilience Starts at Home.”
Guterres noted that commemorating the day this year highlights the importance of planning, constructing, and maintaining homes in ways that protect their inhabitants from various hazards. He pointed out that millions of homes suffer damage or destruction annually due to disasters, leading to families losing their shelter and exacerbating poverty rates. He stressed that older persons, people with disabilities, and low-income households are among the most vulnerable to these risks.
Guterres affirmed that safety begins where people live, and that household preparedness for disasters—through understanding risks, developing emergency plans, and taking swift action—can make the difference between survival and loss. He emphasized that families cannot bear this responsibility alone.
In this context, the United Nations continues its efforts to enhance the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, adopted by member states in 2015 during the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Japan. The Framework, covering the period from 2015 to 2030, serves as an international reference for reducing losses and protecting communities from disasters caused by natural and human-made hazards, as well as related environmental, technological, and biological risks.
The UN system is also working to implement the “Early Warnings for All” initiative, which aims to ensure that all people worldwide have access to timely early warnings of disasters, enabling them to take necessary preventive measures to protect lives and property. (End) A.S.T. / H.M.F.
