Thursday 13 October is International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction in 2011.

In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly announced the observance of the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction on the second Wednesday of October as a vehicle to promote a global culture of natural disaster reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

Over the past two decades the number of natural disasters has quadrupled. Not only are there more floods, cyclones and droughts, but their severity is predicted to increase as a result of climate change. Glaciers and ice caps are melting, rainfall patterns are changing, drought conditions are affecting more and more of the world’s land mass and water resources are becoming depleted.
The impact of non-climate-related disasters, such as earthquakes is also increasing because of urbanisation and population growth.
Children need not face such dire predicaments. Many of the disasters that affect children around the world are cyclical – droughts in the Sahel and the horn of Africa, flooding in India and the deltas of the Bangladesh and hurricane season in Central America. There is much that can be done to prepare vulnerable communities and children for disasters.
     
“When disaster strikes, hospitals are the most critical infrastructure.                                                                      
They represent – quite literally –  the lifeblood of a community. If hospitals are severely damaged, efforts to save lives are seriously impeded. With weather-related disasters on the increase, it is critical to ensure that health facilities are prepared for emergencies and able to provide lifesaving care in their wake.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message for the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction, October 14, 2009

How does Save the Children prepare for disasters?

Children are particularly at risk in a disaster. It’s essential that their immediate and longer-term physical and emotional needs are considered in any activities to prepare for, or mitigate a potential disaster. Activities carried out by a village, community, aid agency or government that helps prepare for, reduce the impact of, or prevents disasters is Disaster Risk Reduction.

These Disaster Risk Reduction policies, strategies and practices are developed and applied to help minimise vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout a society.
The Children’s Emergency Fund helps us to act fast. We know that emergencies are becoming more frequent. In 2009, Save the Children responded to 40 emergencies reaching 2.5 million children. With your help we can save more lives sooner.

Help children and families affected by emergencies by donating today:

• Donate securely online
• Call our toll free number 1800 76 00 11 and donate over the phone.