Progressreport_disaster Risk Reduction Progress Update

Progress Report

November 2009

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) An overview of progress made on a select number of actions recommended by the InterAction NGO community in the 2008 Foreign Assistance Briefing Book on Critical Problems, Recommendations, and Actions for the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress.

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Natural disasters have increased fourfold over the last 20 years, affecting the poorest and most vulnerable communities most severely. The increase in frequency and magnitude of disasters reduces recovery time and increases vulnerability, undermining investments in humanitarian relief and development and progress toward the Millennium Development Goals.

Action Recommended November 2008 Increase participation by the U.S. government in global efforts to reduce the vulnerability of impoverished communities at risk for disaster.

Overall Progress as of November 2009 Comments and Evidence: The U.S. government actively participated in the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction in June 2009, with increased presence and representation from different departments. In addition there was a formalization of a DRR focal point in the technical assistance group of the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). InterAction DRR Working Group members report an increase in funding of DRR projects as well as regional consultation by OFDA during the formulation of the OFDA regional strategies. Furthermore, there has been progress with the assignment of responsibility for reporting on the Hyogo Framework; however, the report submitted to United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) reflected a  reliance on science and technology and less investment in human services and community involvement. Finally, less progress has been made in the assignment of a USAID focal point on DRR and the recognition of the need to integrate DRR into development planning in order to protect development investments.