Celebrating the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2022 in Turkmenistan, with the support from the European Union
26 October 2022
- In October 2022, with the financial support from the European Union, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and National Red Crescent Society celebrated the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), by organizing an event to acknowledge the progress being made toward reducing disaster risks in Turkmenistan and active implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Japan in March 2015.
The need to systematically reduce the increased impact of disasters is gaining recognition and commitment due to COVID-19 pandemic crisis and climate change impacts, which have made it clear that there is a need for accelerating actions on disaster risk reduction and resilience.
In keeping with the IDDRR’s focus on the impact that disasters have on people’s lives and well-being, this year’s theme highlighted the importance of early-warning systems. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction set improving multi-hazard early warning systems as one of its seven global targets, in 2022 the focus is on Target G: “Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by 2030.” The urgency to achieve this target was strengthened in March 2022 by the announcement made by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres that “the United Nations will spearhead new action to ensure every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems within five years.”
The event gathered Heads of emergency authorities, stakeholders, international organizations, public organizations, as well as young people to demonstrate Turkmenistan’s achievements and country’s emergency preparedness as well as disaster risk reduction progress. Performances were held in memory of the victims of the tragic Ashkhabad earthquake of 1948, as well as to highlight the importance of the early warning systems. The event concluded with songs performed by the participants of the “Sing for resilience” contest.
Mr. Dovran Durdyev, Deputy Defence Minister, Chief of Civil Defence and Rescue Operations Directorate, Ministry of Defence of Turkmenistan, underlined: “in Turkmenistan, the State Programme includes specific measures to improve the legislative framework, strengthen the forces and means of civil defence, the early warning systems, and better prepare the population for emergencies.”
“This event is about the people-centered early warning systems and preparedness enabling early action to minimize the harm to people, assets and livelihoods” highlighted Mr. Mohammad Fayyazi, a.i. United Nations Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan / UNICEF Representative.
Ms. Renata Wrobel, in the capacity as Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Turkmenistan pointed that “International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is the right moment to highlight the importance of disaster reduction for sustainable, equitable growth, and a call for the support to the communities most at risk. The EU believes that a robust understanding of disaster risks is the first step towards addressing the risks effectively by framing risk management”
Background information
About the IDDRR
The United Nations General Assembly has designated 13 October as the IDDRR to promote a global culture of disaster risk reduction. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the progress being made toward reducing disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Japan in March 2015.
In 2016, the UN Secretary-General launched “The Sendai Seven Campaign” to promote each of the seven targets over seven years. In 2022, the International Day will focus on Target G of the Sendai Framework: “Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by 2030.”
To raise awareness and mobilize action around these calls, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is using the 2022 IDDRR, to call for greater investment in expanding early warning and early action for all.
People-centered early warning and preparedness systems can enable early action to minimize damage to people, property, and livelihoods. Early warning systems should ensure that populations and sectors at risk can receive a warning, understand it and, most importantly, take action. Hence, early warning should initiate early action that is well prepared and tested.
Background information about the project
Within the EU-funded project “Strengthening disaster resilience and accelerating implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Central Asia”, implemented by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), which aims to support countries of the region in implementing the Sendai Framework priorities. The project supports strengthening regional coordination, development of regional DRR strategy, national disaster loss accounting systems, and community level disaster risk reduction. On the local level, the project supports development of disaster resilience strategies of capital cities. For this project, the EU committed EUR 3,750,000 for the three-year implementation.
For additional information please contact
Mr. Abdurahim Muhidov, UNDRR Regional Programme Coordinator, at: muhidov@un.org
Ms. Ogulgerek Annayeva, UNDRR National Technical Officer, at: ogulgerek.annayeva@un.org
Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan, at: delegation-kazakhstan-pic@eeas.europa.eu
UN entities involved in this initiative
Goals we are supporting through this initiative
