UN warns disasters to increase by 40% by 2030

MANILA, Philippines — Disasters will increase by 40 percent by 2030 amid the ongoing threat of climate change, according to United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific chief Marco Toscano-Rivalta.

“This stark projection indicates that we are going off course from the goal we set in the global blueprint for disaster risk reduction, the Sendai framework in 2015. We are building risk rather than decreasing it. Therefore, while we need more and better disaster preparedness and response, most fundamentally we need to double down on prevention and risk reduction,” he added.

Toscano-Rivalta announced this during the media launch of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR).

The country is expected to host the international gathering of the APMCDRR in October, which will be attended by at least 2,500 delegates from 62 countries.

The APMCDDR highlights the Philippines’ leadership and commitment on disaster risk reduction and climate action, Toscano-Rivalta added.

He said the choice of the Philippines is a testament to its strong commitment to disaster risk reduction nationally, regionally and globally.

“With its multi-stakeholder approach and focus on inclusive risk, disaster risk management, the Philippines is a model. It has shown how involving all stakeholders, like government, local governments, civil society, science and academia, private sector and local communities can enhance the management of disaster risk,” he added.

According to Toscano-Rivalta, the conference will ensure inclusive risk reduction and participation in decision making and implementation, integrating disaster risk reduction at the local level and strengthening early warning systems.

“The conference will also mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction by promoting measures to protect schools from disasters. The role of media in disaster risk reduction cannot be overstated,” he said.