13 October 2016 —  Ambassador Lourdes O. Yparraguirre, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, highlighted the Philippine government's "Zero Casualty" policy, at a forum held at the UN Headquarters in New York to mark the 2016 International Day for Disaster Reduction.

The forum, entitled “Live to Tell,” was organized by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Bangladesh and Switzerland to the UN.

In his opening remarks, UNISDR Special Representative of the Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction, said that this year’s theme raises awareness on actions taken towards the Sendai Framework’s global target “to substantially reduce global disaster mortality by 2030”.

 Ambassador Yparraguirre said that the Zero Casualty policy involves a comprehensive range of preparedness and awareness strategies. Among its components are risk mapping, geostrategic intervention, engineering intervention, social preparedness, community-based warning and evacuation planning and capacity build-up. Its successful implementation has significantly lessened lives lost and number of people affected by disasters. She also stressed the importance of partnerships with the private sector and civil society. 

She added that “beyond early warnings, [the zero casualty policy] is self-awareness and community awareness, a coming together of individual and collective action. It is also a constant sharing of best practices and learning from each other, within and at all levels.”

The forum also marked the launch of the "Sendai Seven Campaign", which highlights the seven targets of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction.

The International Day for Disaster Reduction was first held in 1989 and is celebrated every October 13 to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. END