UNDRR to Assess DRR Strategies to Support Implementation of the Sendai Framework and SDG's

Belarus and Moldova are the first countries to undergo an independent multi-stakeholder assessment coordinated by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) to ensure that national disaster risk reduction strategies are inclusive, robust, and in line with the recommendations outlined in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR).  

In order to achieve the Sendai Framework’s overall goal to build resilience and reduce the impact of disasters, seven global targets and four priorities for action were agreed in the framework. Target E, which aims to substantially increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020, is instrumental to achieving the full set of Sendai targets.  To meet this target, member states from Europe and Central Asia are working with UNDRR to improve effectiveness of their plans to increase disaster resilience. 

 To accelerate the implementation of the SFDRR and build coherence across the 2030 development agenda, UNDRR has developed a robust methodology that will support the independent assessment of national DRR strategies. The aim is to increase efficiency and relevance, ensure sustainability, and build confidence and ownership in the DRR agenda at both national, regional and international levels while addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.

 Independent assessment teams, comprised of representatives and experts from the European Science and Technology Advisory Group, financial institutions, local government, Parliament, private sector, civil society, UN agencies, as well as National Focal Points for the Sendai Framework and other experienced peers in the field of DRR, are engaged to assess the structure, substance, and coherence of strategies under development. 

 Assessment teams have analyzed Belarus and Moldova’s DRR strategy and provided advice on how to best ensure that it made the biggest impact in reducing existing disaster risks and avoiding creation of new ones.  These included recommendations for integrating the results of national and local risk assessments; identifying clear roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders involved in the management of risks; mainstreaming DRR into relevant sectors such as infrastructure, water and sanitation, energy, education, transport and agriculture; and building coherence with SDGs and other global agendas.

 Coordinating the relations with national authorities, Ms. Svetlana Drobot, Head of the International Cooperation Direction of the Moldova General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations said: “This was a very welcome review process that helped ensure that our national DRR strategy will be as effective, inclusive and sustainable as possible."

 In 2020, UNDRR is planning to conduct the same exercise for Bulgaria, Slovenia, Poland, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, working in close collaboration with authorities to strengthen their national DRR strategies.