Meeting of the ISDR Support Group
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.
Wednesday, 10 Oct. 07

Mr. Carlos Foradori from Argentina the Chairman of the ISDR Support Group started the meeting by doing a brief statement introduction about the recent developments of ISDR Secretariat.

According to him it’s very important to have initiatives at the regional level. He points out example of Guatemala’s initiative to coordinate actions in Haiti and the Buenos Aires meeting. He also asks for the support of the United Nations, UNICE and the Red Cross. He then gave the floor to Mr. Salvano Briceno, Director of ISDR Secretariat.

He informed that the Report of the ISDR has been published today (10 Oct. 07) and pointed out the major issues and recommendations.

- The need to support countries efforts:
- support the development of national platforms: it is already been done but it’s not sufficient.
- Investment must increase: common policies are needed.
- Accountability system is needed, one must keep monitoring the countries.
- Supporting the countries efforts is a key role for the private sector.

- The program focuses on:
- Special IPCC report on adaptation, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
- Cities need multi-sectoral plan including safe hospitals.
- Critical assessment of economic and social cost and benefits of risk reduction.
- The increasing participation of the civil society.
- Participation of women and leadership of women.
- Scale up proven practices based on science and technical date knowledge
- Regional cooperation: there will be an Asian Conference at the initiative of India on November 7th and 8th.
- Multi-stake holder voluntary guidelines and good practices.

- The ISDR system is also developing itself in:
- Engaging developmental, environmental and humanitarian partnership: more efforts are needed.
- Using UN trust fund for Disaster Reduction to support Joint Work Program
- Following up, reporting and monitoring.
- Preparing itself for the Global Platform of 2009

Mr. Briceno then putted forward the ISDR System Management Oversight Board. There are 6 Partner members of the UN which are: UNDP, World Bank, UNEP, OCHA, Red Cross, and ??? (Missed the last one). The issues discussed by the MOB are the following:

- follow-up of Global Platform. (- ISDR System Joint Working Program, - Economic study on cost/benefit).
- Disaster Risk Reduction is a UN priority.
- Global Survey on early warming.
- Global assessment Report for Disaster Risk Reduction 2009.

Mr. Salvano Briceno then talked about the Joint Planning of Work for 2008-2009. The Hyogo framework is a priority for action guides planning. One should build on existing mechanism, link them up and not create new ones. And he then let the floor to Mr. Reid Blaster who talked about what the General Assembly discussions focussed on:
- Climate change and disaster risk reduction: the scientific evidence is clear and
- Shift from “debate” to action.
- Multiply sources of action : local government, cities, business, NGOs
- Climate is now a priority for Ban Ki Moon and the UN.
- Special events at the UN GA.
- Adaptation issues edging into view.

There is a link between climate and Disasters: climate accounts for 80 to 90% of all disasters, floods account for the half of all disasters, for 84% of death and for 50 billions of lost per annum.

The specific priorities for the Secretary General are:
- Create and advocate clear messages.
- Promote Disaster Risk Reduction and Hyogo framework post 2012 regime.
- Seek IPCC Special Report to fill gap on climate change and disaster risk link.
- Build advocacy, tools and coorfination in ISDR system’s Joint Working Program.
- Support national level linking of climate change and disaster risk agendas.

After this briefings, the Chairman gave the floor to the delegations for their remarks and questions about the issue.

Norway asked whether ISDR is a strategy, a forum, an organisation, a program under the umbrella of OCHA? And also how do ISDR controls the direction of the money?
Mr. Foradori answered that ISDR is program of the UN Secretariat but it’s also under the umbrella of DESA (?) and is administrated by OCHA. All the funds come from humanitarian sources and is then not enough. As for the control, the fund is given to ISDR who gives it to the International Organisations and follows up so that the money is used for the original purpose. He also reminded that China and the Netherlands where good donors.

Sweden informed their will be a Commission of 12 members (didn’t mentioned them) this autumn, that will work for 1 year and a half and that will present a final report of climate and disaster risk.

Maldives asked what was ISDR planning during the Bali Conference. Mr. Foradori answered that their will be side meetings in Bali under the framework of IPCC and added that ISDR will take part of the Nairobi Action Plan adopted.

India reminded the need for coordination among different sources of fund and UN.

Switzerland and Finland closed the debate saying their were very keen on integrating ISDR on the UN budget.


Ismaila Pedro FAYE