Natural Disaster Reduction - News & Events

- DRU News Archives -
2005 // 2004 // 2003 // 2002
- DRU in the Press // RDR Launch Press Book // News Archives -
- Earthquakes & Tsunamis in Asia Special Coverage -
- Latest News -

UNDP has initiated a joint programme with the Government of Iran on strengthening national capacity for disaster risk management. The programme links disaster risk management policy to practice through a pilot earthquake risk management programme in two demonstration cities.

The programme focuses on reducing risks associated with earthquakes, as the major natural hazard in Iran, in urban areas.

Full Story // UNDP Iran Country Office // DRU and Iran

The one-year mark is hardly an endpoint on the road to full recovery, and reconstruction is likely to take several years. As the tsunami itself, the huge outpouring of generosity that it generated, was unprecedented, but there is a need to see whether the funds made available did, in fact, help the people who lived through this nightmare.

Much has been achieved this year, but there is still more to be done. Many homes still need building; roads and ports need repairing, and better livelihoods and safer living conditions need to be developed. Working with the governments and communities of the affected countries, as well as with the multitude of donors and other aid organizations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) remains committed to supporting the recovery and longer-term reconstruction process.

UNDP has published a report on its assistance to the tsunami recovery and reconstruction efforts for the past year. It is meant to provide examples of how UNDP is helping people who survived the tsunami rebuild their lives now, and for the future.

Full Report (PDF 2.0 MB) // UNDP Tsunami Recovery Website // UNDP-DRU Tsunami website

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today appointed former United States President George Herbert Walker Bush as his Special Envoy for the South Asian Earthquake Disaster, representing the UN system in the national and international response to the destruction of 8 October.

“I am delighted that President Bush has accepted to play this role,” Mr. Annan said, introducing Mr. Bush in his new capacity. “I know the Pakistani authorities are too. We know that he is going to bring extraordinary leadership and attention to this terrible tragedy.”

Full Story // UNDP Pakistan Country Office // UNDP Projects and other information // UN Emergency Response: Pakistan Earthquake 2005 // UN South Asia Earthquake Flash Appeal (updated) // DRU and Pakistan // UN Early Recovery Framework

More than nine weeks after a devastating earthquake in Pakistan killed more than 70,000 people, injured 70,000 more and left up to 3 million people homeless, the United Nations relief appeal faces a shortfall of some 60 per cent, with a new survey showing an urgent need for 2.4 million blankets as the harsh winter sets in.

Funds for the $550 million appeal have reached $209.2 million, or 38 per cent, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) spokesperson Elizabeth Byrs told a news briefing in Geneva today. With $22.7 million in pledges included, the funding stands at 42 per cent.

Full Story // UNDP Pakistan Country Office // UNDP Projects and other information // UN Emergency Response: Pakistan Earthquake 2005 // UN South Asia Earthquake Flash Appeal (updated) // DRU and Pakistan // UN Early Recovery Framework
(Photo IRIN)

The five former Soviet Central Asian republics, with a population of nearly 60 million people, could as much as double their incomes over the next 10 years by strengthening regional economic cooperation, according to a United Nations report released today calling for a special UN envoy to help move the agenda forward.

“This Report clearly identifies the immense potential economic and human benefits of regional cooperation for Central Asia and its neighbours,” UN Development Programme (UNDP) regional director Kalman Mizsei said of the comprehensive analysis of many challenges, including high trade costs, environmental devastation, increased inequality, rising migration, the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS and poor governance.

“Improved trade, transport and transit, and better water and energy management on a region-wide basis would bring the biggest gains. But cooperation to deal with natural disasters, drug trafficking and epidemics, such as avian flu, is also essential,” he added of the five countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Full Report // DRU and Europe and the Commonwealth of Independant States

Victims of the tsunami who have not been able to access housing support because they could not prove ownership of their land can now use a simple leaflet as a temporary land deed.

Developed by UNDP and UN-HABITAT along with World Bank Land Administration Programme (RALAS) on behalf of BRR (the local government agency overseeing reconstruction), the leaflet spells out the rights of the victims as well as the obligations of the Government to meet the needs of the victims. The leaflet also explains the critical steps to obtain assistance.

Full Story // UNDP Tsunami Recovery Website // UNDP-DRU Tsunami website

This year witnessed the largest financial losses ever as a result of weather-related natural disasters linked by many to human action, more than $200 billion compared to $145 billion in 2004, the previous record, according to statistics presented to the United Nations Climate Change Conference currently meeting in Montreal, Canada.

“It is vital that, before this meeting ends, Governments send a clear signal to business, industry and the people of the world that they are determined to continue the battle to curb global warming,” UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Klaus Toepfer told the conference yesterday.

Full Story

The United Nations Staff Relief Committee for Tsunami Victims, which collected nearly a quarter of a million dollars that was later doubled through matching funds, has signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement a range of projects helping survivors of the catastrophe to rebuild their lives.

The staff donations will fund projects directly benefiting the people affected by the tsunami, including housing, livelihoods and critical infrastructure in Indonesia, the Maldives and Sri Lanka. The UN Foundation has matched the staff contribution of $245,477, bringing the total funding for the programmes to almost $500,000.

Full Story // UNDP Tsunami Recovery Website // UNDP-DRU Tsunami website

A three-day African Union (AU) Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Africa was due to open in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia on Monday 5th December.

The Economic Commission for Africa, the UNDP, the Environmental Protection Programme, ADB, COMESA, ECOWAS, SADC, IGAD, ECCAS, UMA, among others, would take part in the conference.

The meeting has been organised to discuss development process and major components of the Africa Regional Strategy on Disaster Risk Reduction. The conference is also expected to discuss integration of Disaster Risk Reduction into national development planning, policies and programmes.

Information sharing on the activities of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the areas of Disaster Risk Reduction would also be included.

African Union official site // DRU and Africa

Most of the tents handed out to Pakistani earthquake survivors are incapable of withstanding the winter and the focus of relief efforts is now on other ways to ensure people stay warm, aid officials said on Friday.

The Oct. 8 earthquake killed more than 73,000 people and left up to three million homeless. The worry as a brutal Himalayan winter sets in is that disease could kill cold and poorly nourished survivors.

"Keeping the people dry, keeping the people warm, well-fed and healthy remains a colossal job," chief U.N. humanitarian coordinator Jan Vandemoortele told a news conference.

Full Story // UNDP Pakistan Country Office // UNDP Projects and other information // UN Emergency Response: Pakistan Earthquake 2005 // UN South Asia Earthquake Flash Appeal (updated) // DRU and Pakistan // UN Early Recovery Framework
(Photo IRIN)

In the wake of tropical storm Gamma, which left at least 34 people dead and almost 90,000 affected in Honduras, the United Nations system in the country has dispatched five assessment teams to scope out long-term damage from flooding and mudslides.

Gamma struck Honduras on 19 November 2005, right behind deadly hurricanes Stan, Wilma and Beta, all of which caused great havoc around the Caribbean and Central America. Entire villages have been isolated as a result of mudslides.

Full Story // UNDP Honduras Country Office // DRU and Honduras // OCHA Online Situation Reports