Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030

1. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 is a successor to the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 and represents a significant shift in global disaster risk management. It is a non-binding agreement adopted by United Nations member states in March 2015 at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Sendai Framework, its goals, priorities for action, guiding principles, implementation, monitoring, and its relevance in the context of increasing global disaster risk. Understanding the Sendai Framework is crucial for Disaster Management professionals, policymakers, and anyone involved in building resilient communities.

Background and Context

Before the Sendai Framework, the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) marked the first formal global effort to systematically address disaster risk reduction. While the HFA was successful in raising awareness and establishing a foundation for DRR, it faced limitations in effectively addressing the growing complexity of disaster risks, particularly the link between disaster risk and climate change, as well as the need for a more comprehensive and people-centered approach.

The world has witnessed a dramatic increase in the frequency and intensity of disasters over the past decades, driven by factors such as population growth, urbanization, environmental degradation, and climate change. The economic losses from disasters have also risen significantly. Recognizing the need for a more ambitious and integrated approach, the international community embarked on a process to develop a new framework for DRR, culminating in the Sendai Framework.

Core Principles and Goals

The Sendai Framework is guided by the following core principles:

• **The Sendai Declaration:** This reaffirms the importance of disaster risk reduction as a national and a global priority.
• **Shared Responsibility:** Disaster risk reduction is a collective responsibility, requiring engagement from all stakeholders, including governments, civil society, the private sector, and individuals.
• **Multi-Hazard Approach:** The framework emphasizes the need to address all types of hazards, including natural hazards, technological hazards, and biological hazards, as well as their cascading effects.
• **Resilience:** Building resilience is central to the Sendai Framework. This involves strengthening the ability of communities and systems to absorb and recover from shocks. Community Resilience is a key concept.
• **People-Centered Approach:** The framework prioritizes the protection of people and their livelihoods, recognizing that disasters disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
• **Integration:** Disaster risk reduction should be integrated into all relevant policies and plans, including sustainable development, climate change adaptation, and poverty reduction.

The Sendai Framework sets out seven global targets to be achieved by 2030:

1. **Substantial reduction in global disaster mortality:** A significant decrease in the number of deaths caused by disasters. This is tracked using mortality rates and estimations of direct and indirect deaths. [1](https://www.undrr.org/publication/global-assessment-report-gar-2022) 2. **Substantial reduction in the number of affected people:** Reducing the number of people impacted by disasters, including injuries, displacements, and loss of livelihoods. [2](https://www.preventionweb.net/quick-guide/sendai-framework-disaster-risk-reduction-2015-2030) 3. **Reduction in direct disaster economic loss:** Decreasing the economic damage caused by disasters, expressed as a percentage of GDP. [3](https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/disaster-risk-management) 4. **Substantial reduction in disaster damage to critical infrastructure:** Protecting essential infrastructure, such as hospitals, schools, and transportation networks. [4](https://www.resilience.org/stories/2023/03/17/the-sendai-framework-10-years-on-a-critical-assessment/) 5. **Increase in the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies:** Promoting the development and implementation of comprehensive DRR strategies at all levels. [5](https://www.unisdr.org/2015/wordsintoaction/implementation) 6. **Enhance international cooperation:** Strengthening collaboration between countries to share knowledge, resources, and best practices. [6](https://www.oecd.org/dac/disaster-risk-reduction.htm) 7. **Increase investment in disaster risk reduction:** Mobilizing financial resources for DRR activities, including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and recovery. [7](https://www.gfdrr.org/)

Priorities for Action

The Sendai Framework outlines four priorities for action:

1. **Understanding Disaster Risk:** This priority focuses on improving the knowledge base for DRR, including hazard mapping, risk assessment, and data collection. It involves utilizing advanced technologies like GIS and remote sensing for Risk Assessment. [8](https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards) 2. **Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance:** This priority emphasizes the importance of strong institutions, policies, and regulations for DRR. It calls for integrating DRR into development planning and ensuring accountability. This includes developing legal frameworks and promoting good governance. [9](https://www.undp.org/disaster-risk-reduction) 3. **Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience:** This priority highlights the need for increased investment in DRR activities, including structural and non-structural measures. It also emphasizes the importance of private sector engagement. This includes investing in early warning systems and resilient infrastructure. [10](https://www.adb.org/disaster-risk-reduction) 4. **Enhancing Disaster Preparedness for Effective Response:** This priority focuses on strengthening preparedness measures, such as early warning systems, evacuation plans, and emergency response capabilities. It also emphasizes the importance of community participation. Early Warning Systems are a critical component. [11](https://public.wmo.int/en)

Guiding Principles in Detail

• **Multi-Hazard Approach:** Recognizing that disasters rarely occur in isolation, the Sendai Framework advocates for a comprehensive approach that considers the interconnectedness of different hazards. This requires understanding the potential for cascading disasters, where one event triggers others. For instance, an earthquake can lead to a tsunami, landslides, and fires. [12](https://www.preventionweb.net/files/43269_43269sendaiframework.pdf)
• **Resilience:** Building resilience goes beyond simply reducing physical vulnerability. It involves strengthening the social, economic, and environmental systems that enable communities to cope with and recover from disasters. This includes promoting diversification of livelihoods, strengthening social networks, and protecting ecosystems. [13](https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/our-work/resilience/)
• **People-Centered Approach:** The Sendai Framework emphasizes that DRR efforts must be designed with the needs and priorities of affected communities at their core. This requires engaging communities in all stages of the DRR process, from risk assessment to planning and implementation. [14](https://www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/disaster-management/)
• **Integration:** DRR should not be treated as a separate issue but rather integrated into all aspects of development planning. This means considering disaster risk in decisions related to infrastructure, land use, agriculture, and other sectors. [15](https://www.sendaiframework.org/)

Implementation and Monitoring

The implementation of the Sendai Framework is primarily the responsibility of national governments. However, effective implementation requires collaboration between various stakeholders, including local governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and international organizations. National Platforms for DRR play a crucial role in coordinating these efforts.

Monitoring progress towards the Sendai Framework’s goals is essential. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is responsible for coordinating global monitoring efforts. Key indicators are used to track progress against the seven global targets. These indicators include:

• **Mortality Rate:** Number of deaths attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
• **Affected Population:** Number of people affected by disasters, including those injured, displaced, or requiring humanitarian assistance.
• **Economic Losses:** Total economic losses caused by disasters, expressed as a percentage of GDP.
• **Damage to Critical Infrastructure:** Extent of damage to essential infrastructure, such as hospitals, schools, and transportation networks.
• **National and Local DRR Strategies:** Number of countries with comprehensive DRR strategies in place.
• **International Cooperation:** Level of international cooperation in DRR, including financial assistance and knowledge sharing.
• **Investment in DRR:** Amount of financial resources allocated to DRR activities. [16](https://www.undrr.org/monitoring)

The Global Assessment Report (GAR) published by UNDRR provides a comprehensive assessment of disaster risk and progress towards the Sendai Framework targets. [17](https://www.undrr.org/publication/global-assessment-report-gar-2023)

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite significant progress in DRR since the adoption of the Sendai Framework, numerous challenges remain. These include:

• **Increasing Disaster Risk:** Disaster risk is increasing due to factors such as climate change, population growth, and urbanization. Climate change is exacerbating many hazards, such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves.
• **Data Gaps:** There are still significant gaps in data on disaster risk, particularly in developing countries. This makes it difficult to accurately assess risk and track progress. Improving data collection and analysis is crucial.
• **Funding Gaps:** Insufficient funding is a major constraint to DRR efforts. Increased investment in DRR is needed, particularly in prevention and preparedness.
• **Implementation Gaps:** The implementation of DRR policies and plans is often slow and uneven. Strengthening governance and accountability is essential.
• **Integration Challenges:** Integrating DRR into development planning remains a challenge. More effective mechanisms are needed to ensure that DRR considerations are incorporated into all relevant policies and programs. Mainstreaming DRR is key.

Looking ahead, several key areas require attention:

• **Strengthening Climate Change Adaptation:** Integrating DRR and climate change adaptation is crucial, as climate change is a major driver of disaster risk.
• **Investing in Ecosystem-Based DRR:** Protecting and restoring ecosystems can provide valuable DRR benefits, such as flood control and coastal protection. [18](https://www.ecosystemservices.org/)
• **Leveraging Technology:** New technologies, such as artificial intelligence and big data, can be used to improve disaster risk assessment, early warning, and response. [19](https://www.esri.com/en-us/disaster-recovery/overview)
• **Enhancing Community Resilience:** Empowering communities to take ownership of their own DRR efforts is essential.
• **Promoting Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships:** Strengthening collaboration between governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations is critical. [20](https://www.preventionweb.net/communities)

The Sendai Framework provides a vital roadmap for reducing disaster risk and building a more resilient world. However, its success depends on the commitment and collective action of all stakeholders. Continuous evaluation of strategies, refinement of technical analysis, monitoring of key indicators, and adaptation to emerging trends are vital for achieving its ambitious goals. [21](https://www.undrr.org/) [22](https://www.gdrc.org/) [23](https://www.reliefweb.int/) [24](https://www.proventionconsortium.org/) [25](https://www.unisdr.org/) [26](https://www.wcdrr.org/) [27](https://www.climateandsecurity.org/) [28](https://www.resiliencegate.org/) [29](https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/) [30](https://www.iied.org/) [31](https://www.odi.org/) [32](https://www.practicalaction.org/) [33](https://www.care.org/) [34](https://www.oxfam.org/) [35](https://www.mercycorps.org/) [36](https://www.worldvision.org/) [37](https://www.savethechildren.org/) [38](https://www.redcross.org/) [39](https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/) [40](https://www.unicef.org/) [41](https://www.who.int/) [42](https://www.unhabitat.org/) [43](https://www.fao.org/) [44](https://www.unep.org/) [45](https://www.undp.org/) [46](https://www.worldbank.org/)

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