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Earthquakes in Haiti, floods in Pakistan – the effects of natural disasters are especially devastating in developing countries. On 13 October 2010, the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction, the United Nations invites people around the world to reflect on the importance of disaster prevention and reduction. Switzerland is active in both areas according to Markus Zimmermann, author of an evaluation of the results of Switzerland’s DRR activities that will be published in 2011...

Acknowledging their "critical role in an effective disaster risk reduction strategy," UNISDR will bring together representatives from leading companies in an inaugural meeting of the Private Sector Advisory Group, on 17 December in Geneva. Ten companies forming the Advisory Group are DuPont Sustainable Solutions, PricewaterhouseCoopers SA, Willis Re and Willis Research Network, United Nations Foundation, MunichRe Foundation, Dow Chemical Europe, Titan America, Arup International, Credit Suisse and Small Equity Initiative. Along with other members of the private sector, the Advisory Group will discuss -- for the first time -- the "Ten Essentials for Business in Disaster Risk Reduction," outlining ways in which private companies can support governments to develop institutions and legislation to bolster disaster risk reduction.

The experience of Europe’s big cities, immobilized by the cold snap, shows that the world may be under-prepared to deal with less predictable climate patterns, says UNISDR. “National meteorological services in Europe did well to issue warnings, but being prepared goes beyond prediction,” said Margareta Wahlström, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for DRR. “A complete and effective early warning system also requires planners to understand the risks they face, so that they are able to respond appropriately.”

The Third Session of the Global Platform will bring together disaster risk reduction, recovery and reconstruction experts. Over 2,000 policy makers and practitioners from both developing and developed countries will be invited to collect, assess and share information as well as set new directions for disaster risk reduction. The Third Session will be from 8-13 May 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland.

UNISDR is launching a call for "good practices" and lessons learned by cities/local governments in support of the "Making Cities Resilient – My City is Getting Ready!" campaign. Selected examples will be published by the end of 2011, and others will be showcased during the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction on 8-13 May 2011.

The preparation of this National Progress Report has been undertaken within the framework of the biennial 2009-11 HFA Monitoring and Progress Review process, facilitated by UNISDR and ISDR System partners.

From promoting women’s empowerment in Indonesia, to teaching architects to build structures resilient against hurricanes and earthquakes, the Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction has helped fund innovative disaster reduction work by a range of professionals from geologists to engineers for the past 23 years. Nominations are now open for the 2011 Sasakawa Award to be given to an individual or organization for outstanding and internationally recognized action that contributes to building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters.

Greater recognition of the vital role of well-managed forests and watersheds in reducing the risks of disasters will help make urban and rural populations more resilient to floods, landslides and other natural hazards was the theme of the high-level forum convened by the UNEP and PEDRR to mark the International Day for Disaster Reduction...