Implementing the Health Aspects of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction – Follow-up on the “Bangkok Principles”

Health is a key element of the Sendai Framework. It places strong emphasis on resilient health systems by the integration of disaster risk management into health care provision at all levels, and by the development of the capacity of health workers in understanding disaster risk and applying and implementing disaster risk approaches in health work. The breadth of the multi-sectoral Sendai Framework provides the opportunity to achieve full synergy with the health-related initiatives for emergency and disaster risk management such as the International Health Regulations, the Global Health Security Agenda, the Paris Agreement for Climate Change, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

To discuss measures that could assist countries in implementing the health aspects of the Sendai Framework, an International Conference convening key health and disaster risk reduction stakeholders was organized by the Royal Thai Government, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on 10 and 11 March 2016, in Bangkok, Thailand. The outcome document of the conference “The Bangkok Principles for the Implementation of the Health Aspects of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction" was agreed. The “Bangkok Principles” open up opportunities for collaboration between all relevant sectors and stakeholders on implementing the health aspects of the Sendai Framework, integrating health in disaster risk reduction plans and strategies, and the inclusion of emergency and disaster risk management programs in health strategies and positioning health as a key area of focus for disaster risk reduction.

This side event at the High-level Political Forum provides an opportunity for representatives of Member States, Inter-governmental Organizations, United Nations agencies and other stakeholders to: (i) Demonstrate the opportunities, benefits and challenges to integrate health emergencies within an all-hazards approach to disaster risk reduction, including through the implementation of the “Bangkok Principles”, and (ii) Share progress made and challenges faced in reducing risk of health emergencies and outbreaks.