The International Day for Disaster Reduction was started in 1989, after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. Held every 13 October, the day celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face.
Almost every day we hear news about catastrophic flooding or drought somewhere in the world. And many nations and regions are on track for even more extreme water problems within a generation. Extreme floods and droughts have a profound impact on development, particularly in less developed parts of the world, such as India.
To help cope with these problems, here are some tips to prepare –
- Educate yourself and your family about the type of disasters that might occur in your community
- Practice emergency evacuation plans.
- Learn basic emergency skills such as how to use a fire extinguisher or perform basic first aid
- Prepare a list of emergency contacts and numbers.
- Make sure that contacts outside your area are aware of your emergency plans
- Strengthen local capacities, develop a buddy system and contacts with individuals and agencies both local (such as the local fire house or Red Cross affiliate) and out of state.
- Ensure better coordination
- Promote Support to NGOs
