Press Releases

STATEMENT BY THE ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES (ACS) IN CELBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

October 13, 2021

“Only Together”

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) provides a unique opportunity for the world to celebrate the progress which has been made in safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of those most vulnerable to disasters. It also serves as a reminder of the urgent need to understand the increasingly complex nature of disaster risk and reduce its underlying drivers. This is a monumental feat; however, it can be accomplished with cooperation and strategic action.

This year, IDDRR is being celebrated under the theme, “Only Together”. It focuses on Target 6 of the 7 Sendai Targets: “Substantially enhance international cooperation to developing countries through adequate and sustainable support to complement their national actions for implementation of the present Framework by 2030.” This focus on international cooperation is timely and relevant given the global reverberations of the COVID-19 pandemic and the escalating climate emergency.

The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st Century. In Latin America and the Caribbean over 1.4 million people have died from viral infections and many others have been left unemployed. Many countries of the Greater Caribbean are finding it increasing difficult to keep their economies afloat, while repaying their debts and recovering from major fiscal losses due to border closures. Meanwhile, global temperatures continue to rise resulting in more extreme weather events, sea level rise and ecosystem degradation.

It has become abundantly clear that international support for low-income countries is absolutely necessary in order for them to substantially reduce human and material losses to disasters. This is inclusive of financial support to facilitate disaster risk assessment and investments in multi-hazard early warning systems for effective response. The transfer and exchange of scientific knowledge and disaster risk reduction related-technology is also of critical importance towards this end.

The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) recognises the important role that international cooperation plays in reducing disaster risk, and ultimately in protecting the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable. As such we continue to strengthen and increase multilateral partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders, in order to support and complement the disaster risk reduction efforts of our Member States and Associate Member States. We look forward to the continued support and engagement of our stakeholders, as we work towards building a resilient region. This we can do #only together.