Statements and messages

Statement on Venezuela earthquakes by Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction

With intention and forethought, we can build safer towns and cities, however hard the ground shakes.

On the International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes, let us honour the victims by committing to building resilience for all.

The expansion of tsunami early warning systems since 2004 is shows how international cooperation can improve people’s lives. But sustained investment is essential. On World Tsunami Awareness Day, we call on countries to invest in tsunami preparedness.

On this 10th World Tsunami Awareness Day, let us invest in preparedness – for every coastline, and every community, everywhere.

All that it takes is to put aside a little more funding for prevention and to assess investments against known risks.

On this Day, let’s commit to meet surging risk with a surge in funds, and build a safer and more equitable future for all.

Statement from SRSG Kamal Kishore on the glacier disaster that struck the Swiss village of Blatten and the importance of disaster risk reduction to saving lives and livelihoods.

Kamal Kishore, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Paola Albrito, Director of UNDRR, express their condolences over the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.

I am profoundly saddened by the tragic loss of life and the growing number of injuries caused by the earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28 March. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this devastating event.