Disaster risk reduction
UNICEF promotes disaster risk reduction and preparedness.
- Available in:
- Bosanski/Hrvatski/Srpski
- English
Challenge
The floods in May 2014 acted as a strong reminder of Bosnia and Herzegovina's exposure and vulnerability to natural hazards, both meteorological and geological. The total damage caused by floods in 2014 amounted to about 1.7 billion dollars, according to the assessment of flood recovery needs in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Recovery Needs Assessment) 2014.
Climate change affects the population and socio-economic resources and opportunities of countries more and more frequently and more strongly, and this especially applies to children. Global experiences indicate that children make up 50-60 percent of people affected by disasters.
A special need has been established for the implementation of integrated strategies, models and services for disaster risk reduction (DRR), which pay special attention to the protection of vulnerable children, families and women. The sectors of social and child protection, education and health, in close cooperation and coordination with civil protection services, have special importance in the implementation of that model.
Solution
Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a signatory country, implements the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction for the period 2015-2030, an international agreement that aims to prevent and respond to disaster risks worldwide and significantly reduce the risks of disasters and loss of life, livelihoods and health.
The key findings of the evaluation of the implementation of the Sendai framework for Bosnia and Herzegovina emphasize the need for action in four areas: 1) understanding the risk of disasters; 2) strengthening disaster risk management; 3) investing in disaster risk reduction to increase resilience; and 4) strengthening disaster preparedness for effective response and improved recovery during recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Through the Joint Program of the United Nations and the Government of Switzerland "Disaster Risk Reduction in Bosnia and Herzegovina for Sustainable Development", UNICEF supports Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens, especially the most vulnerable categories and high-risk local communities to prepare and adapt to the risks of disasters and shocks in different sectors of development.
Using a DRR model focused on the community and the most vulnerable categories of the population, UNICEF works with selected municipalities and cities to ensure that children, their families and communities are resilient to hazards. Through the development of the "Handbook on the Role of Social Protection Systems in Emergency Preparedness and Response", an initiative for developing risk assessments, capacity building and local DRR action plans for social protection in the GDR, UNICEF is helping to integrate disaster risk into the design, delivery and targeting of social help in the following situations.
Through its efforts to establish DRR in the education and health sectors and strengthen child protection preparedness and response, UNICEF continues to raise awareness, develop risk assessments and implement interventions in vulnerable communities.