International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023!

The 13th October annually is recognized as the “International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR). On this day every year, a new theme is introduced to the world highlighting focus areas in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

This year’s theme is “Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future” asking the world to #BreaktheCycle. Here is what the United Nations’ Secretary General (UNSG) Mr. Antonio Guterres had to say: “Our world is plagued by a perfect storm on a number of fronts. Start with the short-term, a global economic crisis. The outlook is bleak. We see deepening inequalities and a rapidly unfolding cost-of-living crisis – affecting women and girls the most. Supply chain disruptions and an energy crunch. Soaring prices. Rising interest rates along with inflation. And debt levels pounding vulnerable countries.” Disheartening, isn’t it?

I devoted about 8 years in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction here in Seychelles officially and beyond that unofficially. Inequality is certainly one of the most pressing developmental issue in Seychelles- maybe even globally, and this manifests in a multiplicity of ways. Disaster Risk Reduction is one of the most important ways in which inequality can be addressed. Imagine a world where we build force fields over the marginalized, the vulnerable, the forgotten- the ones who in the event of a catastrophe, they have no where to go and lose the very little they already have. Imagine a world where in the event of a catastrophe, everyone matters.

I disagree with the UNSG. The outlook is what you want to believe and I believe there is hope. I have been part of and have seen for myself, the improvements made in Seychelles’ sustainable and resilient future. Are we moving fast enough? Maybe not. We have very limited resources, mismanagement of our already limited resources, questionable governance and our priorities are probably everything but disaster risk reduction.

Thankfully, “Necessity is the Mother of Invention” (Plato, 375 BC) and technology is reaching new heights daily. I have hope that international cooperation and partnerships will improve and hopefully, good governance at the forefront.

Thank you for visiting my blog!