Towards a post-2015 framework for Disaster Risk Reduction BUILDING THE RESILIENCE OF NATIONS AND COMMUNITIES TO DISASTERS

Dear Loy, thank you for moderating this important starting dialogue. I hope for a very wide participation - and also, as already pointed out, a strong participation by governments and local governments. I would like to see examples of what creates success, share your success and tell us what made a difference between progress or no progress. Leadership? An engaged community? Good coordination? Money? Tell us about institutional innovations - and discuss what can be the contents of ' risk literacy' and a new 'risk literate generation'. I look forward to your ideas and your experiences. Margareta Wahlstrom

Hi. I am from the Philippines and currently working on DRR and CCA with local governments, mostly in an urban context in the province of Cavite. I will definitely share some insights from this work. I strongly agree that this discussion must be able to muster the contribution of various stakeholders from government, from the private sector, from NGOs and I think more importantly community-based organizations. I am looking forward to that discussions. Cheers. Wilson

That is a great job done by UNISDR and LOY,i must appreciate the efforts.This discussion will enable us to share our experiences with each other and in the light of those experiences we will planned for our future.
I am from Pakistan and working with FATA Disaster Management Authority under a joint project initiated by UN Agencies with Government of Pakistan. Working in an area like Federallay Administered Tribal Area (FATA). It is a tough job to involve people from the origion as we are facing some security concerns in those areas still FDMA is trying its level best to reach to local communties and involve them in different activities and decesions.In FATA we are facing human induced disaster more as compare to natural disasters.
This discussion will give us the opportunity to give enough space to conflict resolution as well in the post HFA . (faisal khattak FDMA,Pakistan)

Mjadala huu ni mzuri na mengi yameshasemwa na wachangiaji waliotangulia. Kwa nchi za Africa DRR ni concept mpya kwao na hii inaweza kusababishwa na mfumo wa elimu yetu na mwingiliano na mazingira yetu. Tunapaswa kutoa elimu hii kuanzia mitaala ya elimu ya awali ili kuwa na jamii ambayo inajijua na hata katika mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa,mazingira itakua rahisi wao kugundua mapema,kuliko kuanzisha elimu hii tukiwa tayari tumeshaharibu mazingira.

Hyogo Framewrok ina mikakati mizuri sana ,mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa na adaptation itasaidia sana kuweka mkazo wa implementation ya HFA katika nchi za Africa,wadau wahahakikishe elimu inatolewa na kuwafikia watu kwa muda muafaka,we should change our settings za meetings,workshop and let us concentrate on result and reaching out large number of people at the remote area

The dialougue is very usful and will help to set global level DRR measures.The lesson learned throught the world during passed few years should be shared.

Dear John,

Thanks for your timely intervention, and a reiteration of the point you first made publicly at the informal plenary and in our bilateral discussions at last years GP. Since them I have been observing and absorbing the power and potential of the innate resilience of these traditional custodians of mother Earth and Forest father Sky and Sea. In principle a separate place is held for you by virtue of your booking it.

I would encourage you and others to flood this space, till such time as we start the new one, with anecdotal evidence, and academic writing and political reflections on this theme which is timely and relevant in terms of "The Future we want " that the world adopted at Rio on 19th June 2012. The outcomes of that conference in this regard, were shaped by three interlinked aspects a) by the indigenous peoples major group voice, presence and advocacy, b) the leadership and initiatives of member states in the developing world for whom protection of mother's earth's rights and peoples' well being are cardinal tenets and constitutional commitments reflecting their way of life c) the active dialogue, creative collaboration and emerging partnership between these forces and their supporters.

Let me recount four of my recent experiences on the links between DRR and the insights and action of Indigenous peoples.

1.In the wake of the Christchurch earthquake, Maori people of Aotearoa reflected on how their spiritual power and connection with the land helped them in their survival and rebuilding, and I was privileged to meet some extraordinary families of three generations who are now reflecting on how they can become active in DRR in NZ and the Pacific.

2. A Japanese activist of Byakko Shinko Kai with headquartes at the Fuji Sanctuary moved the audience on inter faith day in the UN GA hall to tears when she spoke of the challenges in responding to the 3.11 Tsunami and earthquake, and the need for spiritual healing and moral power needed during post disaster recovery and the need for links to peace building and prayer.

3. The South Asian member of the 16 member Permanent Forum of Indigenous Peoples at the UN , who is a tribal leader from a cyclone and earthquake prone area of Bangladesh and promised to promote the resilient cities campaign in his hometown

4. The indigenous Yasuni TTT tribes and the Government of Ecuador who have committed to preserving the Yasuni TTT forest, stopping oil drilling there, and respecting and restoring the tribal systems of natural resource management. This partnership made the most powerful and energising statement of the UNCSD through their presence, pavilion and launch of this multi stakeholder managed trust fund at Rio+20, open for contributions from national budget, individual citizens around the world and supporters.

I look forward to a meaningful conversation on the subject, which as you can already see from the above has lessons in the transformative power and authority of this set of stakeholders, once they get moving.

In solidarity with the actions you and your colleagues initiated a year ago, which I was privileged to observe and be a part of in that crazy week in May 2011 in Geneva.

Dear All,
I am just back from IDRC 2012 Conference in Davos where the academics, scientists and practitioners from all around the world were gathered to share their experiences and knowledge about DRR issue and resilience of the communities. Hope this dialogue can also reach a reasonable number of audiences who aim in DRR endeavors. I am very pleased to contribute to this discussion.

Whilst I do understand the ISDR did originally have a short or limited time remit and certainly , i believe, did not expect to have its role strengthening year by year towards the end of this HFA ten year activity span, but maybe it was to be expected, as many now desperately aim to achieve the bare essentials of the HFA DRR vision.

I believe that maybe it 'was' meant as a fuse to 'ignite' DRR as an institution within all longer term established UN and Civil Society Agencies taking leads within vulnerable communities and importantly act as an access Corridor between Agency and Administrations. However, regardless of reasons, these processes have been much slower in the uptake by all agencies and administrations, although more recently we are experiencing an enormous understanding that the reactive approach within humanitarian response within all established agencies was unsustainable by Civil Society as a whole. UNICEF being a perfect example, making enormous inroads, taking on essential key roles of DRR coordination, post Anthony's key role appointment. The INEE is another example realising and embracing DR within a reactionary remit.

All Nations are impacted by the economic crisis and uncertain futures due to Global economic migrations and deteriorating environment and diminishing resources. I do not believe that any Nation or indeed Geographical Region can say that they can be reassured of a sustainable future.

My point being that DRR is still infact an 'emerging market place' , with many countries only just awakening to the full advantages and needs of implementing such strategies.

To, suggest now that we may sit back and feel job done by the serpents head, viewing it either as redundant or superceded, i think is premature. The ISDR regardless of resource stature, still remains an enormous guiding force and concentrator of the mind, body and philosophy for DRR. It demonstrates a prioritisation within the UN. Remove it, and others will think or indeed use it as an excuse to think that the DRR strategy is being demoted.

Yes maybe by now we should be anticipating job done in 2015....as was the original vision, but in fact it is far from it, and indeed i suggest is only just beginning to make real impact, with only three years remaining to the original goals.

Consequently, maybe, as i address exits strategies in my previous message, in answer to Margareta's statement request, if at all and as bare minimum, we would need to plan an exit strategy for the ISDR as from 2015, establishing a time frame as Bens suggestion, with a reasonable planned hand over period, IF we are to consider DRR is better placed within the diverse approach of several or all agencies........ and as mentioned in a forum net work yesterday, without any discussion or research i would suggest this be over the 'minimum' of five years to 2020, and i stress, that is, IF we are to consider it all, in support of Ben's well respected viewpoint.

However, my gut reaction, is that during these next few years we are going to see generated more than enough areas of responsibility within DRR across a widening spectrum of challenges, for all agencies to take certain leads within a 'collaborative approach', Without removing the serpents head.

In fact i do believe we have grossly 'under funded' the ISDR in the early years, leaving it with little venom to exact a fast enough change and realisation by Nations, Communities and Administrations. With wars in future, potentially not about wealth and materialistic and religious issues but about survival, about the basic resources of food and above all water. Where as i think we all can master the known Natural Hazards, we have yet to come to terms with the future challenges, pure 'global survival'. I would love to be proved wrong, but i think now is the time to strengthen the ISDR, with real venom, with the 'arms' enabling compliance enforcement, before regret seeps any further into our consciences.

Many thanks for UNISDR for this opportunity, from our experience working in Jordan on this for the last years, it was crucial for us to work at two levels in order to reach the most of the concerned in the country; at the community level it was worthy to use a common interested thoughts, understandable terms and friendly used language. For example the culture of addressing and managing the risks and consequently (when there is exposure and vulnerability) the disasters or crises, what incentives and the impact (at the national and international level) beyond protecting the individual life and property, how the religion is considering this, etc.. . While at the governmental level, it was very important to raise the awareness of the decision makers and build its capacity to work on the relevant and effective policies and to share the responsibility of enhancing the resilience of the country between communities and government.