Basic Information
International Day for Disaster Reduction is observed on 13 October to encourage building more disaster resilient communities and nations by promoting global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction.
Organized on: 13 October
Organized by: UN
Introduced in: 1989 (UN Resolution)
Observed: Worldwide
About International Day for Disaster Reduction
On 22nd December 1989, the General Assembly decided to observe every second Wednesday of October as International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction. Later on, 21 December 2009, the UN General Assembly decided to observe the day on October 13 and the name was changed to “International Day for Disaster Reduction” with an aim to encourage everyone and government to take part in building more disaster resilient communities and nations.
Activities and Programs on the Day
Activities and events on this day include the campaigns to spread the message and theme for the particular year. Many programs like seminars, conferences, tree planting, exhibitions, street plays etc. are conducting on this day to give awareness about disaster and its prevention.
Theme for International Day for Disaster Reduction
International Day for Disaster Reduction 2020 Theme is “Disaster risk governance“
Disaster Reduction Day 2019 Theme was “Reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services (Target D of ‘Sendai Seven’ campaign)“
Day for Disaster Reduction 2018 Theme was “Reducing disaster economic losses in relation to global GDP by 2030 (Target C of ‘Sendai Seven’ campaign)“
2017 Theme: Reducing the number of affected people by disasters by 2030 (Target B of ‘Sendai Seven’ campaign)
2016 Theme: Live to Tell: Raising Awareness, Reducing Mortality. (Start of seven target of ‘Sendai Seven’. 2016 theme is based on target A: Reducing disaster mortality)
2015 Theme: Knowledge for Life
2014 Theme: Resilience is for Life
2013 Theme: Living with Disability and Disasters
2012 Theme: Women and girls: the Invisible Force of Resilience
2011 Theme: Children and young People are partners for Disaster Risk Reduction: Step Up for Disaster Risk Reduction!
2010 Theme: My City is Getting Ready!
2008 – 2009 Theme: Hospitals Safe from Disaster
2006 – 2007 Theme: Disaster Risk Reduction Begins at School
2005 Theme: Invest to Prevent Disaster
2004 Theme: Today’s disasters for tomorrow’s hazards
2003 Theme: Turning the tide…
2002 Theme: Sustainable mountain development
2001 Theme: Countering Disasters, Targeting Vulnerability
2000 Theme: Disaster Prevention, Education and Youth