International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed on October 13 every year. The day is a chance to recognize the progress made in addressing vulnerability to disasters and the loss of lives, economies, and health. Every year, the day honors people and communities all over the world who are working to reduce their vulnerability to disasters and raise awareness about the urgency of lowering the dangers they face. Disaster resilience in response to catastrophic weather events and other natural and man-made disasters requires international cooperation in the form of Official Development Aid (ODA) as well as capacity building.
History of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is an annual event that urges citizens and governments to work together to make their communities and countries more disaster-resilient. As part of its declaration of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, the United Nations General Assembly established October 13 as the International Day for Natural Disaster Risk Reduction.After the United Nations General Assembly called for a day to foster a global culture of risk awareness and catastrophe reduction, International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was born in 1989.In 2022, the General Assembly resolved to keep the yearly commemoration as a tool for promoting a global mindset of natural disaster mitigation, covering prevention and preparedness. The United Nations General Assembly resolved in 2009 to make October 13 the official date, and to rename it International Day for Disaster Reduction.The international community was informed in 2015 at the third U.N. World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, that disasters strike worst at the local level, with the possibility of creating tremendous social and economic devastation. Every year, millions of people are displaced by sudden disaster outbreaks. Catastrophic events, many of which have been aggravated by global warming, have a detrimental influence on sustainable development investment and its desired outcomes.Disasters significantly affect low- and middle-income countries, especially in terms of fatalities, the number of persons injured or displaced, and damage to key infrastructure. While other global problems might seem more pressing, hunger and poverty cannot be eradicated if we do not address disaster risk reduction.
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction timeline
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is established.
The General Assembly decides to continue with the annual celebration of the day.
The U.N.General Assembly designates October 13 as International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The third U.N. World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction takes place in Sendai, Japan.
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction FAQs
How can we reduce disaster?
Awareness, education, preparedness, and prediction and warning systems can reduce the disruptive impacts of a natural disaster on communities. Mitigation measures such as the adoption of zoning, land-use practices, and building codes are needed, however, to prevent or reduce actual damage from hazards.
Which country has no natural disasters?
Without a reported disaster since 1900, Qatar boasts the lowest disaster risk. This is because of its remote location from disaster-prone regions in Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Central America.
Which country is best in disaster management?
Ecuador and Switzerland lead the rest of the globe in disaster risk reduction, as seen by their 4.8. H.F.A. Progress Score. Switzerland has put a lot of money into early warning systems that can predict events like avalanches, landslides, and floods.
How to Observe International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
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Share on social media
Join the natural disaster reduction conversation on social media channels. Use the hashtags #OnlyTogether and #DRRday to explore what UNESCO has in store for the day.
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Visit a geopark
You can also mark this special day at a UNESCO Global Geopark. Search for one near you and attend one of their events scheduled for today.
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Engage in discussions
The global community needs to have constructive conversations about disaster preparedness. Beyond typical emergency management, people and communities require skills, abilities, and knowledge to resist, adapt, accommodate, recoup, and thrive in the face of unexpected disasters.
5 Interesting Facts About Natural Disasters
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The most powerful earthquake
The most powerful earthquake ever recorded is the Valdivia Earthquake in Southern Chile in 1960.
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Top speed
Avalanches can reach about 80 m.p.h. in just five seconds.
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Hot spray
The lava erupting from Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano burns at a scary 2,120°F.
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Hold on to your hat
Tornado winds often reach 300 m.p.h., which is twice the speed of a hurricane.
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Worst enemy
Besides wildfires, floods have the highest occurrence among natural disasters in America.
Why International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is Important
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Encouraging collaboration
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was established to encourage international collaboration among developing nations to minimize disaster risk and losses. It encourages effective multistakeholder coordination mechanisms, a broad global policy, and multidisciplinary and multisector collaboration to build disaster-resilient communities.
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Creating a global trend
The day will highlight exemplary practices and cases of global cooperation that improve the lives of people living in disaster-prone areas around the world. This helps people prepare and reduces the fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters.
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It inspires new policies
It will support the development of policy and legislative frameworks that will better prepare global institutions to manage the risk of disasters and decrease their impact on communities. Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | October 13 | Thursday |
| 2023 | October 13 | Friday |
| 2024 | October 13 | Sunday |
| 2025 | October 13 | Monday |
| 2026 | October 13 | Tuesday |
