International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Strengthening partnerships in disaster risk reduction

WMO, XV Congress, Geneva, 2007

International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies

185 National Societies supported by a Secretariat in Geneva as well as 16 regional and 60 country offices

National Societies act as auxiliaries to the public authorities of their own countries in the humanitarian field

National Societies provide a range of services including disaster preparedness, disaster relief, health and social programmes, and assistance to people affected by war

International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Worrying trend: more disaster events and more people effected

Disasters are a humanitarian and a development concern

Climate change & unplanned urbanisation are two major ‘engines’ of disaster risk

Disaster preparedness pays but is not enough We have a role to play in reducing

vulnerability/risks and increasing resilience at local level

Want to scale up work at local level; partnerships are key to this

Early Warning is crucial mitigation strategy; but we need to reach the users

International Federation and disaster risk reduction

International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Potential scope for cooperation in reducing disaster risk through Community Based Disaster Preparedness (CBDP)

Early Warningearly response

Seasonal Forecastingdisaster preparedness & mitigation

Climate Changeadaptation

International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The way forward

Partnerships between the International Federation & Meteorological Offices at national level are reducing hazard/disaster impacts

Reaching the ‘first mile’ means providing timely, relevant and understandable information to those most at risk

Early Warning must be multi-hazard and built around local people

The International Federation Strategic Alliance with ISDR provides a framework to scale up Early Warning where it matters the most