Department of Sustainable Development

UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR)

Internationally RISK-MACC works well with existing organizations and agreements. For example, the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) promotes networking and the translation of natural disaster risk reduction into consistent policy-making. Its four guidelines are as follows: 1) Increase public awareness to understand risk, vulnerability and global disaster reduction; 2) Obtain commitment from public authorities to implement disaster risk reduction policies and actions; 3) Forge interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral partnerships, including the expansion of risk reduction networks; and 4) Improve scientific knowledge about disaster risk reduction. RISK-MACC utilizes these principles in its daily procedures and has created such tools as the INDM to improve networking capabilities.

RISK-MACC strives to follow and advance specific international agreements within the Americas. The UN/ISDR is responsible for promoting the Hyogo Framework for Action and the Global Platform. This natural disaster risk reduction pledge was signed by 168 countries in January, 2005. The goal is to decrease damage caused by natural disasters by 2015. “Damage” includes losses in terms of lives and property, as well as socially, economically and environmentally. RISK-MACC, in cooperation with UN/ISDR, would facilitate the establishment of a Regional Platform to help achieve this goal, since it would consolidate the knowledge and expertise already acquired by existing regional networks and generate more innovative ideas aimed at disaster risk reduction.

The UN/ISDR and the Hyogo Global Platform constitutes international opinion on natural hazard risk reduction, justifying RISK-MACC compliance and contributions, both of which have been offered, and will help make many countries safer in the face of natural disasters. Furthermore, the Hyogo Global Platform calls for the strengthening and capacity building of competent regional inter-governmental organizations, such as CEDEMA , CEPREDENAC and CAPRADE. The RISK-MACC seeks to coordinate all these efforts, by establishing a common agenda and a collaborative work plan. To that end, the GS/OAS, through its Department of Sustainable Development, signs memoranda of understanding and other instruments with the UN/ISDR, agencies of the UN System, and regional competent organizations.

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