By Fatima Saka
Yearly, the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed to address the subconsciousness of human connections between disasters and inequality.
According to the United Nations by 2030, with current climate projections, the world will face 560 disasters per year.
Disasters and inequality are of the same dimensions, and each adversity reinforces the other, unequal access to services leaves the most vulnerable exposed to the danger of disasters, while the effects of disasters exacerbate inequalities and push the most at risk further into poverty.
This follows the Sendai Framework complements in the Paris Agreement on climate change, with both frameworks interlinked to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
In order words, 2023, the International Day will explore the reciprocal relationship between disasters and inequality.
Focusing on the 2023 theme: “Fighting Inequality For A Resilient Future.” This signifies breaking the Cycle!
Many countries are at high risk of disasters and also among those with the highest share of the population living under the national poverty line.
However, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) encourages people to take action to break the cycle of disaster and growing inequality.
In mobilizing actions, the UN agency is raising awareness of the brutal inequality of disasters, however agitating against inequality for a resilient future, which is the theme of this year.
The theme aligns with the Sendai Framework, the international agreement to prevent and reduce losses in lives, livelihoods, economies and basic infrastructure.
The treaty also has seven global targets and 38 indicators for measuring progress and complements the Paris Agreement on climate change, with both frameworks interlinked to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The observance takes place shortly after the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, where the UN General Assembly in May 2023 adopted a political declaration to accelerate action to strengthen disaster resilience.