UNDP-BUREAU FOR CRISIS PREVENTION AND RECOVERY (BCPR)

1
UNDP-BUREAU FOR CRISIS PREVENTION AND RECOVERY
(BCPR)

• Disaster Reduction Unit
• Disaster Reduction A Challenge to Sustainable
  Development in Africa

2
THE SETTING

• 75 of the worlds population live in areas
  affected at least once by earthquake, tropical
  cyclone, flood or drought between 1980 and 2000
• Billions of people in more than 100 countries are
  periodically exposed to at least one disaster
  event triggered by these hazards

3
THE SETTING

• More than 184 deaths per day are recorded in
  different parts of the world
• While only 11 of the people exposed to natural
  hazards live in countries classified as
  exhibiting low human development, they account
  for more than 53 of total recorded deaths

4
THE SETTING

• UNDP-BCPR recognises that development processes
  intervene in the translation of physical exposure
  into disaster events
• Disasters put development at risk but also
  development choices can generate new disaster risk

5
THE AFRICAN CONTEXT

• Africa the only continent where disasters have
  increased over the last decade
• Mortality is decreasing but the number of those
  affected and economic losses increasing
• Hydrological hazards occur most pervasively but
  epidemics (including HIV/AIDS) a major cause

6
THE AFRICAN CONTEXT

• In 2000-2001, 13 of Africas population (35m)
  affected by disasters
• Natural hazards compounded by other elements,
  such as conflict, while impact of HIV/AIDS
  compromises food security and capacity
• Countries in constant crisis management
• Disaster risks a major threat to development in
  Africa

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ULTIMATE GOAL

• Seamless programming between disaster reduction
  and the development agenda

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EXAMPLES OF COMMON CONCERNS

• Growing vulnerabilities due to demographic and
  land use changes urban and rural habitats
• Increasing erosion of natural resources-
  deforestation, draining of wetlands, etc
• Absence of or poorly enforced legislation and
  institutions governing development

9
EXAMPLES OF COMMON CONCERNS (2)

• Rapid industrialisation without the necessary
  planning and institutional arrangements
• Links between disaster risk, environmental
  degradation and poverty the importance of
  combined approaches through poverty reduction

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EXAMPLES OF COMMON CONCERN (3)

• Understanding the destructive influence of
  HIV/AIDS in risk accumulation and disaster
  vulnerability
• Understanding the complexities of the
  relationship between conflict, natural hazards
  and human development
• DEVELOPMENT NEEDS TO BE REGULATED ACCORDING TO
  ITS IMPACT ON DISASTER RISK AND VICE VERSA

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IMPLICATIONS FOR AFRICA

• Understand the hazard, vulnerability and
  capacity profile thorough assessment at all
  levels
• Understand that natural hazards are only one of
  the potential threats to life and livelihoods
• Institutions and structures that relate to the
  hazard profile and the threat levels
• Stress the importance of utilising existing
  resources and capacities cost effectiveness

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IMPLICATIONS FOR AFRICA (2)

• Integration of disaster risk reduction in
  development identification of risk reduction
  priorities and actions the PRSP, UNDAF and in
  projects aimed at achieving the MDGs
• Additional compensatory risk management
  addressing already accumulated risk through
  preparedness, etc
• What is the regional role? Co-ordination?
  Facilitation? Operations? Information? Or a
  combination?