This year, we have witnessed destructive and catastrophic climate disasters that have killed and displaced millions of people across the world. In Pakistan, 33 million people have been affected by the devastating floods that wiped away homes and infrastructures, leading to the displacement of more than 180,000 people. In Italy, catastrophic flooding affected hundreds of people in the central Marche region, with 420mm of rain falling within nine hours. Most recently, Hurricane Ian brought destruction across Florida and the Carolina states, killing at least 32 people.
All these climate disasters are a reminder of the catastrophic consequences of climate change and go to show the vital importance of prevention and training for these types of emergencies.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is an opportunity to celebrate how people and communities are reducing their exposure to natural disasters, spreading awareness of the importance of mitigating these risks. The Day, celebrated every 13th of October around the world, aims to recognize how individuals and communities around the globe are reducing their exposure to disasters.
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
Through the systematic approach of Disaster Risk Reduction, it is possible to identify, assess and reduce the risk of disasters. This approach is an essential strategy in the achievement of sustainable development as it strengthens resilience and mitigates potential disaster risks. Not only, the DRR approach has become a vital element in the age of climate change, where climate emergencies are overwhelming the global society at a faster and more powerful pace. It is for these reasons that preventing and preparing are elements that can alleviate the burden left by disasters, and it is thus of utmost importance that stakeholders do not only focus on post-disaster management.
How MOAS is utilizing the DRR approach
As the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR Mami Mizutori has stated, disasters don’t have to devastate. Even though systematic risks cannot be eliminated entirely, mitigation and preparedness are a viable possibility. Stemming from this believe, is MOAS’ experts support to local partners through the provision of unique and innovative DRR Flood and Water Safety training in refugee camps. Through such training, volunteer responders from the refugee communities and volunteers from the local host community are provided with equipment and acquire the necessary skills to mitigate water-related emergencies. MOAS’ DRR Flood and Water Safety Training in refugee camps supports self-development, enabling the improvement of leadership and teamworking skills among the volunteers. The program also provides livelihoods to local tailors who make our safety equipment.
At least 40% of the participants are women, as we believe investing in women is an effective means of promoting sustainable development and in our Disaster Risk Reduction programs, we make sure that they are agents for change and their leadership role is strengthened.
In addition to the DRR Flood and Water Safety Training, MOAS also contributed to the development of one-of-a-kind DRR project for Fire Safety and Response after seeing an increase in the frequency and severity of fire outbreaks in crowded refugee camps worldwide. This project has three elements as its focus: risk mapping, training in first response, the prototyping and manufacture of firefighting equipment. Through this project, our experts are able to assess and advise stakeholders on areas of particular risk and develop strategies accordingly. This project, as the previous one, has a bottom-up approach which aims to develop resilience across local and refugee communities by providing volunteers with both the necessary firefighting equipment and the skills needed to fight fire outbreaks efficiently. Such a bottom-up approach works towards sustainable development, promoting self-sufficiency and self-development.
Final remarks
Climate emergencies are increasingly becoming major threats to the global community, affecting low-income countries disproportionately. Such countries are not solely the victims of climate disasters, which are becoming more regular and intense, but they also struggle to prevent them. Climate disasters also cause consequences at the micro level of society, where girls are often forced out of school and rendered more vulnerable and exposed to dangerous practices such as child marriages. Thus, it is important the global community comes together and increases efforts to counteract the devastating consequences of climate change and work towards a more sustainable and green future. Meanwhile, prevention remains key for emergency responses, especially in areas at risk. MOAS continues to support its partners and refugee camp management in mapping risks, providing training and distributing equipment to local and host community members – to combat the possible effects of fire and water-related events.
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