Switzerland's position on the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction

This paper proposes four key elements that Switzerland considers important to be promoted in the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction (HFA2): (i) it is paramount to develop a comprehensive understanding of the disaster risk landscape; (ii) investors – be they public or private – must avoid building-up new disaster risks; (iii) existing risks should be further reduced based on a clear prioritization of risks; and (iv) governments have to create an enabling environment conducive to strengthening governance and accountability in disaster risk management.

In this paper, disaster risk reduction focuses on risks arising from sudden and slow onset disasters (such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and drought, environmental degradation, or desertification) and from environmental emergencies (such as the release of hazardous and noxious substances from a factory after an earthquake).

The position paper was developed by the Swiss HFA2 working group composed of representatives from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Federal Office of Environment, the Federal Office of Civil Protection, PLANAT, the Swiss NGO Platform DRR, Cantons and SDC DRR network.