Building resilience to reduce disaster risk

The world marked the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on 13 October, which explored protecting critical infrastructure and minimising the impacts caused to basic services in the future.

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was held on 13 October. The theme for 2019 focused on the fourth target of the Sendai Framework for building resilience – substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and the disruption of basic services.

In Australia, the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC presented a public forum in Brisbane on Friday 11 October.

The event featured researchers and representatives from the built environment sector who analysed the challenges for reducing the impacts of natural hazards on basic services and infrastructure. The panel consisted:

Celeste Young, Victoria University and Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC
John Rolfe, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
Kieran Dibb, Queensland Reconstruction Authority
Peter Hillcoat, Lockyer Valley Regional Council
Craig Carpenter Queensland Department of Public Works and Housing

Across the globe, António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations called for greater investment in climate resilience to prepare for climate-related disaster for the future.

"Disasters inflict horrendous suffering and can wipe out decades of development gains in an instant,” Mr Gutterres said.

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction began in 1989, as an initiative of the United Nations General Assembly to promote a global approach and culture of disaster risk-awareness. The event focuses on the ‘Sendai Seven’ campaign, focused on the seven targets to reduce disaster damage to humanity, the planet and critical infrastructure.