Asean’s Commitment In Disaster Risk Reduction
By Kartika Rahman

Bandar Seri Begawan - "Disasters remain to be a major impediment to the progress and prosperity of Asean, setting back development and worsening poverty," said the Secretary-General of Asean Ong Keng Yong on the occasion of Asean Day for Disaster Management 2006 yesterday in conjunction with the International Day for Disaster Reduction.

The Secretary-General further added: "This year's theme `Disaster Risk Reduction Begins at School', assumes enormous significance as we recall in the past year the many disasters that occurred in the region. Education and public awareness are key to long-term efforts towards disaster reduction.

"Therefore, investment in disaster reduction and management must be vested on the local community. Priority should be given to community-based development programmes and poverty eradication.

Asean is therefore committed to disaster risk reduction and response through the pursuit of this theme as a critical strategy towards achieving sustainable development in the region."

The Asean Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) embodies Asean's commitment to effective disaster risk reduction.

To translate the agreement into concrete actions, Asean has put into motion many disaster risk reduction initiatives, emergency response and relief operations in the region.

Furthermore, the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) has invited Asean for a joint regional celebration yesterday in Bangkok, Thailand where joint collaborative activities will be organised.

"Celebrating Asean Day in conjunction with the International Day signifies Asean's commitment that disaster risk reduction is increasingly becoming a major global concern that can only be effectively addressed by coordinated action at national, regional and global levels," said Ong Keng Yong.

"We shall always endeavor to be prepared and ready to act in times of disaster. All these initiatives are meant for Asean to achieve its vision of resilient nations and a safer region by the year 2020," he further added.

Apart from the joint regional celebration in Bangkok, Asean member countries are also commemorating Asean Day for Disaster Management through various events and activities.

Led by Thailand in the celebration of Asean Day for Disaster Management, the country is also joining forces with the Asean Secretariat and UNISDR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok to showcase Asean's as well as member countries' initiatives and achievements in disaster risk reduction. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with