Collaborating for Disaster Risk Reduction: Perspectives from IFRC Users

1. Disaster risk reduction An overview & areas for collaboration with NMHS’s A users perspective from the IFRC

2. Session Overview • Introduction to the International Federation • Disaster risk reduction • Cooperation with providers to date • Challenges & Opportunities

3. International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies 165 National Societies supported by a Secretariat in Geneva as well as 16 regional and 60 country offices National Societies act as auxiliaries to the public authorities of their own countries in the humanitarian field. National Societies provide a range of services including disaster preparedness, disaster relief, health and social programmes, and assistance to people affected by war.

4. World Disasters Report 2002 messages • disaster preparedness pays but is not enough • need for disaster risk reduction to protect livelihoods and development • Red Cross/Red Crescent has a role to play in reducing vulnerability/risks and increasing resilience • development and humanitarian agendas come together - disasters erode development gains and disasters are a result of under-development Message on climate change and trends

5. saving and protecting lives intrinsic functions of the RC/RC Movement’s component organisations …. historically interpreted as a requirement to prepare for and respond to emergencies: • conflict • naturaldisasters • floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, urban and technologicalincidents and major transport accidents etc. an essentiallyREACTIVE approach

6. trends and developments risk reduction and disaster mitigation • increasing emphasis placed on capacity building for disaster preparedness and mitigation at RC Branch & community levels • community capacities to address issues related to their vulnerability constitute the focus of RC disaster reduction initiatives • poverty and insecurity clearly indicated as major factors inducing and exacerbating vulnerability • sustainable development and community empowerment identified as the key to disaster risk reduction a responsive pro-active approach

7. What we actually do in DRR Two key areas of advocacy work: 1. Climate change 2. Strengthening the ISDR System

8. Potential scope of cooperation • Early Warning • early response • Seasonal Forecasting • disaster preparedness & disaster risk reduction • Climate Change • adaptation

9. Examples of cooperation to date • One third of RC/RC Societies have had some contact with NMHS’s • Lima: International Federation attended regional WMO meeting • Belize: Effective early warning • Central America: Early warning through Miami Hurricane Centre • Haiti: Forecast available but information not reaching users • Pacific: Weather updates received but not always understood • Tsunami: Early Warning and Response System (first mile)

10. Using forecast material Cambodia (flood monitoring) • Cooperation between MRC and Red Cross • High tech system • Down to local level through radios and flags Bangladesh (cyclone preparedness) • Cooperation with government & met offices • In 1970, half a million people died in one cyclone • Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) evacuated 2.5 million people during 5 cyclones in 1990s

14. Some Challenges • Different perceptions on the right type/ quality of information/data • Does information require re-packaging for different users? (user driven) • Need more user friendly information, for instance, based on local assessment of risk; • Need better delivery systems to reach users; • Need greater local participation (plus two way feedback); • Need to better measure impact of early warning & forcecasting

15. Opportunities • Welcome your ideas • International Federation Global Alliance on disaster risk reduction • Possible focus on 5-7 countries (Pacific & Caribbean?) • Develop good practice • WMO focal point for National Societies enquiries & vice versa

16. Thank you