Michael Juma, Chief, UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh has said that this year’s IDDR focuses on Target 1 of the Global Sendai Framework to reduce the loss of life due to disasters and features good practices adopted around the world to achieve this.
He was speaking at the conference in Bhopal on Thursday on ‘Emergency Response and Disaster Management Plan’ held by Disaster Management Institute (DMI) on the occasion of the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR).
As such, child-sensitive disaster risk reduction interventions are critical to break the cycle of crises that affect too many children and families during disasters like Monsoons, droughts,” he said, adding that concerted efforts are required to mitigate the impact of climate change to enhance safe environment for future generations. In essence, time is now to protect ecosystem, invest more in environmental management and climate resilience, particularly in flood prone districts such as Satna, Panna, Rewa, Guna, Shivpuri.' Juma added.
“We face new challenges today, which require a renewed commitment to DRR, particularly Child-centered DRR. Children are disproportionately affected by pollution and climate-sensitive diseases and disasters,” he further added.
The conference provided a perfect platform to all the stakeholders to debate over the disaster management issues to achieve Sendai Framework 2015-2030. Gas Relief Minister Vishwas Sarang inaugurated the event.
Nandan Dubey, Vice President, DMI Bhopal, said that IDDR celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reigning in the risks that they face.
Seven Global Targets by 2030 includes reduction of global disaster mortality, reduction of direct disaster economy loss in relation to GDP, increasing numbers of countries with national and local risk management strategies, enhancement of international co-operation and increase the availability and access to multi-hazard early warning systems etc., which eventually target for betterment of existing system with respect to the disaster management.
Surendra Sinh, Vice Chairman, Madhya Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority said the conference aims at transforming the commitments of governments and stakeholders during the Sendai Conference into national and local action.
Executive Director of DMI Bhopal Sanjeev Singh and Director of the DMI Rakesh Dubey also expressed their views.