Poor countries too need to play some role in reducing disasters

By Dicta Asiimwe

[...]

You just released a report about the economic losses that are being experienced as a result of disasters. Africa didn’t have enough data on this. Are there going to be any initiatives to change this state of affairs?

Mami Mizutori:

We have been encouraging countries to have a disaster loss data base. We even have this kind of database called DesInventar Sendai, which can be adopted by interested countries.

[...]

Currently, 19 countries globally collect disaster loss data, so it is not only Africa but there are more than half the United Nations Member states which don’t have. We don’t only encourage data collection, but are also providing support to establish this data base.

The support includes workshops, training and we would really like to intensify this area of support to the African countries. Colleagues at the United Nations Development Programme which works at the National level on DRR are also helping countries to establish this data base.

[...]

Do you think Least Developed Countries should contribute funds to mitigate disasters?

[...]

Mami Mizutori:

You can say we didn’t create climate change but when it comes to disaster, if you don’t put money, not only external money, but your own money, into it, I really don’t think that the citizens of any country will understand what the government is doing.

So the argument at one level I can understand why, but at the end of the day governments have to protect their citizens and disaster risk reduction is about protecting their citizens.

[...]