International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: Guterres calls for significantly increased investment in disaster risk reduction

On the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on October 13th, Secretary-General Guterres called for significantly increasing funding to address the escalating risks and build a safer, fairer future for everyone. This year’s theme for the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is ‘Investing in resilience, not in rebuilding after disasters.’ Guterres stated in his address that as the climate crisis accelerates, disasters are on the rise, with increasingly devastating impacts, resulting in loss of life, destruction of livelihoods, and potentially erasing decades of development progress. He highlighted the shocking economic losses caused by disasters globally, estimating up to $2 trillion annually when considering indirect losses. However, funding for mitigating these impacts remains severely insufficient, reaching dangerous levels. Guterres emphasized the urgent need to increase investments in disaster risk reduction and resilience-building measures to protect communities and economies from the growing risks posed by disasters. The Secretary-General stressed the importance of shifting focus from reactionary approaches to disasters to proactive measures that can help prevent and reduce their impact. He underscored the critical role of investments in building resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and community preparedness to minimize the loss of life and livelihoods in the face of disasters. Guterres called on governments, businesses, and international organizations to prioritize disaster risk reduction in their policy and investment decisions to create a more sustainable and secure future for all. He urged stakeholders to work together to mobilize resources and expertise to effectively address the growing challenges posed by disasters and climate change. The Secretary-General’s call for increased investment in disaster risk reduction reflects the need for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to build resilience and adapt to the changing climate and disaster risks facing communities worldwide.