Within the context of the steady increase of natural hazard-induced disasters and in particular, the rapidly growing climate related risks, the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) is annually marked worldwide on 13 October to reiterate the shared commitments to reduce risks and build resilience within and across sectors, including in the agriculture and food systems.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), organized an event to commemorate the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, where key frontline stakeholders highlighted FAO’s and partner’s efforts in providing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) related capacity development, including DRR-related statistical capacity to developing countries. A key area of focus was the support the FAO has provided to developing countries in applying and institutionalizing the FAO’s damage and loss assessment methodology to monitor the Sendai Framework’s Indicator C2: direct agricultural loss attributed to disasters. It will help increase awareness of the impact of disasters and crises on agriculture and food security and identify ways forward to strengthen data collection and analysis, reporting and monitoring efforts including through international cooperation.

Key takeaway messages

1. Agriculture continues to bear the brunt of disaster impacts!

2. Hunger is on the rise again.

3. Disaster risks can be reduced and managed, if a risk-informed approach is fully integrated into development and humanitarian activities.

4. International cooperation for DRR remains key for resilience building, including in agri-food systems and complex emergency settings.

5. Investments in DRR need to be substantially increased! 

6. Increase the evidence base of disaster impacts in agriculture for risk-informed planning and investments!

7. Further promote more coherent and convergent actions of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation including in agriculture and food systems.

8. Agriculture is one of the resilience solutions! 

Scroll attachements to download full key takeaway messages document.

 Contact: Wirya Khim, FAO Resilience Officer/DRR Lead at [email protected]

 Source: https://twitter.com/FAOGeneva/status/1445424823333761025