Disaster risk reduction

Since the tsunami disaster, there has been a greater international focus on preventing disasters and their conse­quences. Despite a long-standing aware­ness of the importance of preventive work, for many years it has taken a back seat to humanitarian operations in acute disaster situations.

At the UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan held in January 2005 - one month after the tsunami - the world was united on joining forces to reduce the risk of disasters and their con­sequences. In the international declaration adopted by the UN General Assembly, this work was given the official title of Disaster Risk Reduction.

EXAMPLES

There are many examples of disaster prevention work, like placing new housing in areas that are not at risk of flooding, or improving the safety of dams. Other examples include choosing sound con­struction techniques within earthquake risk zones, or developing procedures for the transport of dangerous goods.

ANALYSIS AND PREPAREDNESS

The cornerstones of Disaster Risk Reduc­tion are risk analysis, risk reduction, and strengthening preparedness. Risk analyses help governments and organisations to survey and assess the risk of future disas­ters. Risk reduction covers the measures ta­ken to reduce the likelihood that disasters will occur and/or alleviate their consequen­ces. Strengthening preparedness involves taking action before a disaster with the aim of increasing the effectiveness of indivi­duals, organisations and society in disaster management.

SRSA'S FOCUS

Through its work in Sweden, the SRSA has a long tradition of preventive work and building preparedness for operations in the context of various kinds of disasters and emergencies.This focus has become part of the SRSA's international operations.

"One example is the cholera epide­mic that broke out in a refugee camp in Goma, Zaire, where many refugees died of cholera every night. The SRSA analysed the situation and realised that shortcomings in water and sanitation management were behind the epidemic. When the refugee camp was provided with latrines, the epidemic disappeared," explains Per Becker from the SRSA's Strategic Support Unit.

Sweden was one of the first countries to ratify the UN Guidelines for Disaster Risk Reduction in January 2005. The same year, the SRSA also received a government mandate to work on capacity building for disaster management.

CAPACITY BUILDING

"The capacity building operations we carry out at the moment, in countries like Armenia and Tajikistan, are examples of how we do Disaster Risk Reduction. Other examples include our participation in the work to create an early warning system for tsunamis."

Capacity building for disaster mana­gement demands work on several levels - from material resources and skills dev­elopment to organisational development, coordination and legal frameworks.

"This kind of work demands broad coo­peration between government authorities and organisations. Take the storm'Gudrun', for example. One of the worst consequen­ces of the storm was the series of power cuts. The power companies were respon­sible for restoring the electricity supply, and their work was made more difficult because the roads were impassable. That in turn was the responsibility of the Swedish Road Administration."