EU strategy for supporting disaster risk reduction in developing countries
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Material Information

Title:
EU strategy for supporting disaster risk reduction in developing countries
Series Title:
Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament
Abbreviated Title:
COM(2009) 84 final
Creator:
European Commission (EC)
Disaster Risk Reduction Program, Florida International University (DRR/FIU) ( summary contributor )
Publisher:
European Commission (EC)
Publication Date:
Copyright Date:
2009
Language:
English

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Climate change ( lcshac )
Risk management ( lcshac )
Emergency management ( lcshac )
Genre:
non-fiction ( marcgt )

Notes

Summary:
The document is a communication from the Commission of the European Communities calling for the European Union (EU) as the world’s largest aid donor to give Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) a higher profile within its development policy. Disasters play a significant role in undermining socioeconomic gains throughout the developing world and the establishment of a strategic framework to guide DRR would help movement towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The commission proposes a strategy to move the EU forward on this objective. The commission stresses the increasing significance of DRR within the international dialogue about development as natural disasters have multiplied in occurrence and strength over the past 30 years due to climate change. There were 73 natural disasters in 1975. In 2007 this number swelled to 440, over a 600% increase. Emphasis is placed on the fact that developing countries tend to be the most susceptible to disaster. In 2003, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake hit Iran killing over 40,000 people. A similar quake in California led to the death of only 2 people and the injury of 40 others, a quite striking contrast. While industrialized nations may be able to divert resources toward response and recovery efforts, for many developing countries these investments can be the difference between sustained economic growth and endemic poverty. Disasters are not inevitable. They can be avoided by reducing the vulnerability through DRR. Studies show that for every dollar invested in DRR, two to four dollars of potential economic loss due to disaster are saved. While many developing countries are making an attempt to implement DRR strategies found in the Hyogo Framework for Action, they are limited in their capacities. The EU can play a significant role in this area, but according to the commission there are a number of holes in how current initiatives are carried out. One major problem is that EU action is non-strategic. DRR efforts in the developing world often follow an ad hoc project approach that is uncoordinated, inefficient, and costly. Without a strategic framework for the EU, issues of fragmentation and duplication emerge as each member state has its own DRR strategy. The EU needs to develop a common and consistent voice, with DRR becoming integrated into overall EU development cooperation. The EU strategy outlined in the document unifies objectives towards sustainable development, poverty eradication, climate change adaptation, and DRR. ( English )
Subject:
Disaster Risk Reduction ( English )
Citation/Reference:
(2009). EU strategy for supporting disaster risk reduction in developing countries. Commission of the European Communities.

Record Information

Source Institution:
Florida International University
Rights Management:
Refer to main document/publisher for use rights.
Resource Identifier:
FI13042446

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Aggregations:
Disaster Risk Reduction