Introductory statement and annotated agenda, Jan Egeland, USG for Humanitarian Affairs, and chairperson for the Inter-Agency Task Force on Disaster Reduction

Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF-8)
5-6 November 2003
Geneva
Task Force members and observers, I am very pleased to be here in my new capacity as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Disaster Reduction.

I am assuming the challenge, recognizing it is a complex task involving new sectors and stakeholders. Some of us are old colleagues from the humanitarian sphere. I am glad to see colleagues from development and environment sectors, regional organizations, scientific-academic community, NGOs and private sector. I am personally convinced that development and humanitarian concerns are interlinked and are even interdependent when it comes to reducing risk and vulnerability, i.e., addressing the causes of the so called 'natural' disasters.

Amidst today's conflict ridden world, there is no doubt that reducing the human, economic and environmental losses from natural disasters, remains one of our key global and collective challenges. On average, well over 200 million people every year are affected by 'natural' disasters since 1991, according to figures we know. I am appalled to note that this is seven times more than the average of 30 million people annually affected by conflict.

We all know that by investing in development that includes risk reduction, there will be less need for humanitarian assistance and that this money could go in to enhancing development further. The Millennium Development Goals, which guide Governments and the international community alike, cannot be reached unless the heavy human and economic toll of disasters is reduced. Sustainable development cannot be achieved unless social, environment and technological vulnerability are taken into account and that natural hazards are actively prevented from inflicting high recurrent losses, as agreed in the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development.

The review of the Yokohama Strategy for a Safer World of 1994 and the process to convene the Second World Conference on Disaster Reduction offer a great opportunity to provide solid advice and evidence of the above, to influence the international community and national governments. I see the Task Force having a key role, with the support of the ISDR Secretariat, in taking the lead to advise on critical areas that need to be addressed.

Yesterday I met informally with our not many, but very committed donors to ISDR. They are certainly committed to support the Strategy but they are also aware that alone they will not reach too far. More support, financial, technical and political, will be required if the Strategy is to become effective.

The recent discussions on ISDR at the Second Committee of the General Assembly showed an increasing expectation and growing demands on ISDR to provide guidance to Member States. It also showed interest and availability from partner organizations to contribute and collaborate closely in the implementation of the Strategy.

According to the draft agenda for this meeting, we will focus our discussion on three areas:

- The work programme of the Task Force the coming year, and some suggested modifications in its work modalities;

- The strategic value and content of the Yokohama review and its concluding event, the Second World Conference on Disaster Reduction; as well as reports from the recent Second Early Warning Conference and other relevant regional, national or thematic meetings.

- As recommended at last Task Force meeting we will also have a special session on disaster reduction efforts at a regional and sub-.regional scale in Africa, looking into current status, challenges and planned action.

When discussing the Task Force's work programme tomorrow morning, we need to bear in mind the complementarity and mutual support between the Task Force and the Secretariat. The Task Force provides the international forum for debating, coordinating and stimulating action towards disaster reduction through working groups, partnerships and by focusing on key issues to be addressed.

We are also introducing a new modality for the reporting of the meetings: the Secretariat will provide a draft report on key issues and decisions already for tomorrow afternoon, for the meeting to adopt it. We believe this can assist the Task Force's decision-making capacity and enhance its sense of ownership of the Strategy.

Let me finalize with a specific personal concern: We should not forget the un-heard voices of the most vulnerable. We need to ensure that disaster risk reduction programmes and policies are developed with a thorough understanding of the particular needs of each community- and with the participation of those most vulnerable and their leaders. We must remember, disaster risk reduction -and early warning -is irrelevant if it does not lead to early and appropriate intervention. Partnerships are essential, cutting across different sectors including practitioners, policy makers, and the community members at all levels. The ISDR goals include fostering and nurturing such partnerships, and the public commitment to act. The Task Force is essential in this regard.

I will rely strongly on the ISDR Secretariat for the follow-up to the Task Force recommendations.

I am personally committed, through my two offices, OCHA and the ISDR Secretariat to support practical steps for strengthened coordination and cooperation of the various institutions responsible for disaster reduction and I look forward to interacting with you in these two days.