Arise pushes awareness on disaster risk reduction

The Philippine chapter of a private sector group created by the United Nations is pushing for better awareness for disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the country.

Arise is a United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reductions(UNISDR)-led network of private sector entities, whose members share information, experience, activities and projects with a goal of creating risk-resilient societies.

The organization was a result of an agreement to create a 15- year framework to reduce the human and economic impact of disasters caused by hazards, which was signed by 185 nations in Sendai, Japan in March 2015.

During the first Arise Philippines general assembly Thursday, leaders of the group’s work themes presented updates on their initiatives to promote disaster risk reduction.

Arise has seven work themes globally, but the Philippine chapter is only focused on three themes — disaster risk management strategies, urban risk reduction and resilience, and education and training.

Education and training work theme leader for Arise Philippines Antonia Yulo-Loyzazga cited the lack of available education practices on the topic of DRR in the country.

She underscored the need to create more DRR professionals to be able to create better strategies.

“We want to increase the number of trained professionals. We want to grow this from the bottom up,” Yulo-Loyzaga said.

For her part, Arise Philippines Urban Risk Reduction and Resilience work theme leader Kate Landry emphasized the importance of disaster prevention.

“You can’t prevent natural hazards from happening. But what we can do is prevent natural hazards from becoming disasters,”Landry said.

She noted the loss of lives and the cause of injuries could be prevented.