9th Dealing with Disasters International Conference (DwD 2015) Health Centered Disaster Risk Reduction: A New Agenda for a New Era Current Progress in Addressing Health aspects of Disaster Risk Reduction Professor Virginia Murray., Vice-chair of UNISDR STAG Consultant in Global Disaster Risk Reduction Public Health England Scientific and Technical Advisory Group

Case studies The problem The science The impact on policy and practice Did it make a difference?

Recommendations Encourage science to demonstrate that it can inform policy and practice Use a problem-solving approach to research that integrates all hazards and disciplines Promote knowledge into action Science should be key to the Post Hyogo Framework for Action

Why 2015 matters so much

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Champion, reinforce and better connect existing and future initiatives for integrated research and the scientific assessment of disaster risk through an adequate international scientific advisory mechanism, in order to strengthen the evidence base to inform decision-making under the post framework.

Voluntary Commitments of the Scientific and Technical Community Assessment of current data and scientific knowledge Synthesis of research to make it accessible to policy makers Scientific advisory to decision makers on policy and research gaps Monitoring & Review to ensure progress towards DRR goals and up to date information Communication and engagement involving policy- makers, multiple sectors and research disciplines Capacity development to ensure all countries can produce and/or have access to scientific knowledge

UNISDR Science and Technical Advisory Group Report 2015 SCIENCE IS USED FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

Case Studies The problem The science The impact on policy and practice Did it make a difference?

Source: STAG Report Science is used for disaster risk reduction.

The Indian Ocean Tsunami claimed over 227,000 lives, people and affected the lives of approximately 5 million more. Psychological impacts in disasters are common. Using evidence collected during a systematic review, public health officials were able to develop an initiative called ‘Evidence Aid’ which provides evidence to support public health professions

Source: STAG Report Science is used for disaster risk reduction.

A systematic review by the Cochrane Collaboration identified that hand-washing can reduce instances of diarrhoea of those in refugee camps by around 30%. This review has been used by at least one major NGO to train & update local volunteers.

Source: STAG Report Science is used for disaster risk reduction.

In 2009, the humanitarian workforce in Darfur was treating upwards of 1.1million people with health services across the region. Following the expulsion of all NGO health workers, the World Health Organisation piloted use of the Health Resources Availability Mapping System (HeRAMS). This identified gaps in health services and allowed the Sudan government to provide additional funding.

Source: STAG Report Science is used for disaster risk reduction.

Using historical heatwave data, scientists have been able to identify possible impacts from an increasing frequency and severity of heatwave events. Using this data and research, policy makers within national governments have been able to introduce Heat Wave Warning Systems, which along with plans to increase resilience, have shown reductions in mortality and morbidity.

Recommendations 1. Share knowledge for action 2. Use a multidisciplinary approach to research 3. Build systems resilience through local, national, regional and international partnerships

Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction Main result of the 3 nd UN World Conference on DRR, Sendai, March 2015 Outcome: The substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries. I

Science and technology paragraphs

Priority 1 Understanding Disaster Risk 25 (g)Enhance the scientific and technical work on disaster risk reduction and its mobilization through the coordination of existing networks and scientific research institutions at all levels and all regions with the support of the UNISDR Scientific and Technical Advisory Group in order to:

strengthen the evidence-base in support of the implementation of this framework; promote scientific research of disaster risk patterns, causes and effects; disseminate risk information with the best use of geospatial information technology; provide guidance on methodologies and standards for risk assessments, disaster risk modelling and the use of data; Priority 1 Understanding Disaster Risk

identify research and technology gaps and set recommendations for research priority areas in disaster risk reduction; promote and support the availability and application of science and technology to decision-making; contribute to the update of the 2009 UNISDR Terminology on Disaster Risk Reduction; use post-disaster reviews as opportunities to enhance learning and public policy; and disseminate studies Priority 1 Understanding Disaster Risk

UNISDR Science and Technology Conference on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 ‐ 2030 To promote and support the availability and application of science and technology to decision ‐ making in Disaster Risk Reduction 27 ‐ 29 January 2016 Geneva International Conference Centre

UNISDR Science and Technology Conference on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 ‐ 2030 launch the UNISDR Science and Technology Partnership for the implementation of the Sendai Framework, discuss and endorse the UNISDR Science and Technology road map to 2030 to define the expected outcomes of the science and technology work under each of the four Sendai Framework priorities for actions and the ways to monitor progress and review emerging needs

Partnerships for global health - The Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction: what does it mean for public health? The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction is key to developing more effective disaster risk reduction Increased focus on health, science and technology in disaster risk management identifying the UNISDR S&T partnership for the research and innovation needs are essential – join us in Geneva in January 2016