Global and regional disaster preparedness we need to know

We, the citizens in this disaster-prone country, must know that disaster preparedness should not be done in an isolated and segmented manner, independent of all the other countries in the world and most importantly, the Asia-Pacific region. We need to have a well-coordinated and synchronized approach with our neighbors.

- Atty. Josephus B. Jimenez

The United Nations has a separate UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, simply known as UNDRR. And we should know a very important historical trivia: that the Philippines had been the only signatory to the UN Charter, which was allowed to sign in San Francisco, USA, in 1944, even before our country became an independent state in 1946. The UNDRR has a very strong working relationship with the Global Disaster Preparedness, GDPC, which is a reference center to support innovation and learning in disaster preparedness.

Since we, Filipinos are very familiar with the Red Cross, it will definitely interest you to know that the GDPC has been established by the American Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC, The UNDRR is working to build one, united, cohesive, and well-coordinated Global Community that can help smaller regional and national communities prepare for disasters and save lives, livelihoods, and properties. This global center is committed to reducing risks and building resilience which is embedded in its Program of Action adopted in Doha, Qatar.