Latest Date: Tuesday, 13 October 2020, 31st Anniversary
Sponsor: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Objective: The International Day for Disaster Reduction aims to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. It reminds people and communities around the world of reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face. With celebration of the day, all citizens and governments are encouraged to take part in building more disaster-resilient communities and nations.
History: It was established in 1989 and officially held every year since 1990.
On December 22, 1989, the UN General Assembly designated the second Wednesday of October as the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction, by a resolution (A/RES/236), to promote a global culture of disaster risk reduction.
In 2009, the UN General Assembly decided to change the name to International Day for Disaster Reduction and designate October 13 as the official date for this day (A/64/200).
The theme in 2020:
Each year, the International Day for Disaster Reduction focuses on a specific theme suggested by the UN. This year, the theme for the Day is “disaster risk governance”. It is closely linked with Target E of the Sendai Framework: “Substantially increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020.” The theme conveys the message that many disasters can be avoided or prevented if there are disaster risk reduction strategies in place to manage and reduce existing levels of risk and to avoid the creation of new risk. This is especially important in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Official websites:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/disaster-reduction-day