Definition: National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

A generic term for national mechanisms for coordination and policy guidance on disaster risk reduction that are multisectoral and interdisciplinary in nature, with public, private and civil society participation involving all concerned entities within a country.

Annotations: Effective government coordination forums are composed of relevant stakeholders at national and local levels and have a designated national focal point. For such mechanisms to have a strong foundation in national institutional frameworks, further key elements and responsibilities should be established through laws, regulations, standards and procedures, including: clearly assigned responsibilities and authority; building awareness and knowledge of disaster risk through the sharing and dissemination of non-sensitive disaster risk information and data; contributing to and coordinating reports on local and national disaster risk; coordinating public awareness campaigns on disaster risk; facilitating and supporting local multisectoral cooperation (e.g., among local governments); and contributing to the determination of and reporting on national and local disaster risk management plans and all policies relevant for disaster risk management.