Sendai Framework’s Global Targets A and B: Opinions from the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction’s Ignite Stage 2019

Abstract

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015−2030 set seven global targets of which the first two targets are to reduce disaster deaths (target A) and diminish the number of affected people globally (target B) by 2030. To realize these targets, the United Nations General Assembly’s Expert Working Group provided indicators to measure progress as well as terminologies for these targets in 2017. Research around these targets is nascent. This article contributes to the understanding of the targets by exploring: (1) what are the conditions that may hinder achieving targets, as well as those that may accelerate their achievement at the national and local levels; and (2) which types of organizations should lead a country’s effort to reduce disaster deaths? These questions were answered by opinion survey research carried out at the Sixth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. The participants identified disaster risk reduction efforts, early warning systems, awareness, finance and investment (among others) as the important facilitating factors to achieve targets A and B. Minimal investment in human security, lack of response and coordination, uncertainty of climate change, poor information, lack of campaigns and low budget allocation (among others) are considered as the important hindering factors for these targets by the participants. The findings also suggest that the facilitating and hindering variables of targets A and B are interconnected with global target E (disaster risk governance and capacity building). The majority of the participants thought that it is the national government who should lead in a country’s effort to reduce disaster deaths. Based on these findings, a few recommendations have been made to improve policy and practice related to the indicators as well as to reimagine theories so that targets A and B can be realized in alignment with target E at the national and local levels by 2030.

Keywords

Disaster deaths / Disaster risk reduction / Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction / Health-EDRM / Health system / Sendai Framework’s targets A and B

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