The Challenge for NGSs in Delivering DRR Programs to Vulnerable Communities

The Challenge for NGOs in delivering DRR programs to vulnerable communities

Nick Ireland – Save the Children – Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Manager

The impacts of Disaster 50% of those affected by disasters are children Natural disasters have increased from an average of150 a year in the 1980s to over 400 today By 2015 175 million children will be affected by natural disasters every year

What is Disaster Risk Reduction?

An approach to minimising vulnerabilities of children to disaster risks by strengthening our development programs. We do this by focusing on the analysis of disaster RISKs and their IMPACTS. This encourages us to focus on processes (which we can influence) rather than disaster events (which are outside our control).

What type of activities constitute a DRR program?

• • • •

Early Warning Preparedness Disaster Mitigation Disaster Resilience

• Supporting adaptive capacity

Building inclusiveness • • • • •

Listening Learning Discussing Developing Consulting

The Role of children in DRR • analysers of risk; • designers and implementers of DRR interventions at a community level; • communicators of risks and risk management options; • mobilisers of resources and action for community based resilience; and • constructors of social networks and capital.

How do you incorporate cultural understanding?

Child-Centred DRR in Practice

Measuring investment in DRR • UN estimates fro every $ 1 investing in preparing for a disaster, $ 7 of losses can be prevented.

• But how do you measure what didn’t happen?

Role of Government vs Non-Government • The policy environment – Hyogo framework for action – AADEMER -ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response.

• The practice – Proximity to communities – Structure, mandate, motivation – Advocacy

For Children by Children

DRR in the Education sector

Thanks nick.ieland@savethechildren.org.au

savethechildren.org.au/DRRandCCA