1.
Why is this topic important?
At times of disaster, impacts and losses can be substantially reduced if authorities, individuals and communities in hazard-prone areas are well prepared and ready to act and are equipped with the knowledge and capacities for effective disaster management. Preparedness for effective response at all levels is Priority Action 5 of the HFA. This Working Session will report on progress in implementing preparedness, highlight innovative and scalable policies and practice, and address remaining challenges in the post-2015 context.
2.
What gaps need to be filled?
According to UNISDR’s Synthesis Report on a Post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction
1 , governments have reported increasing progress against Priority Action 5. Progress is especially noted in developing capacities to respond to disasters. However, gaps identified included: a) preparedness is at a conceptual and operational crossroads due to changing crisis landscape; b) lack of professionalization and standardization of preparedness; c) limited resource allocation for preparedness.
3.
What (new) commitments are expected to be achieved?
It is expected that participants, in particular member states, might commit to: i) promote experiential knowledge sharing, ii) address identified challenges and iii) implement commitments under the post 2015 DRR Framework on enhancing preparedness for effective response, taking into account present and future risks, and focusing on resilience at local, national and international levels.
1 UNISDR’s Synthesis Report: Consultations on a post-2014 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (HFA2) http://www.preventionweb.net/english/professional/publications/v.php?id=32535&utm_source=pw_search&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign
=search
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Concept Note
Schedule
Room and Venue
Organizers
UNISDR Focal Points
Background and
Rationale
Session Objectives
Tuesday 17 March 2015, 12:00-13:30
Hagi Hall, Sendai International Conference Centre
WFP, UNDP, OCHA, Japan, Mozambique , Switzerland , Germany
John Harding ( harding@un.org
)
The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance is expected to rise as the number and frequency of disasters increase due to compound effects – such as climate change, population growth, food and energy price volatility, water scarcity, and environmental degradation. However, impacts and losses can be substantially reduced if the governments, communities and households in hazard-prone areas are well prepared and ready to act and equipped with the knowledge and capacities for effective disaster management.
In Priority 5 Strengthening Preparedness for Response, the HFA highlighted the essential role of preparedness in saving lives and livelihoods. Effective preparedness for response will buy the humanitarian community valuable time to respond more effectively, and gives vulnerable people a buffer against the repeated crisis which strip away their resilience and push them deeper into poverty.
The proposed working session will examine progress in implementing
Priority 5 by highlighting concrete illustrations of achievements in area of preparedness for response. It will also address key challenges in view of emerging and new risks, and will highlight importance of a riskinformed approach to preparedness.

Demonstrate progress in implementing Priority Action 5
Strengthening Preparedness for Response by highlighting innovative, scalable good practice at various levels
(international, regional, national and community levels).

Obtain commitments to collectively address remaining challenges in advancing preparedness in view of new and emerging risks. Inter alia: o Strengthening preparedness at international, regional, national and local levels to reduce mortality in disasters. o Increasing technical and professional resources for conducting specialized functions related to preparedness at the national and local levels. o Improving financial mechanisms through which preparedness can be strengthened at the national and local levels.
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Discussion agenda and
structure
Expected outcomes
Commitment / special announcement in support of a post-2015
framework for DRR
Expected number of
participants
300
Background documents -
1.
Opening remarks.
2.
Film highlighting achievements in preparedness.
3.
Panel discussion with four/five designated panelists highlighting good and replicable preparedness practices around the following key areas of HFA Priority 5 (7 minutes each). a) Policy and institutional capacities b) coordination c) regional approaches d) contingency plans and policies, including regular exercises e) emergency funds f) participation, ownership, and volunteerism.
4.
Open discussions (30 minutes).
5.
Wrap up and closing

Deepened understanding on preparedness best practices that are innovative and scalable from national contexts.

Concrete commitments for continued support to implement the preparedness elements in the post 2015 framework on DRR, including broad directions, action plans, and resource allocation.
Expected Key Message delivered by the speakers:
By improving preparedness for effective response, we have save lives and alleviated suffering in the face of many disasters – however, progress needs to be sustained in the face of increasing vulnerability and risk due to climate change, population growth and environmental degradation. We commit to adopt a riskinformed approach to preparedness and to achieve greater resilience to disasters
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