UNDRR- The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
The history of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) dates back to the 1960s, UN/GA adoptions on measures regarding severe disasters, and was focused on awareness and assistance in cases of natural disaster (1970-1986) https://www.undrr.org/our-work/history. This awareness was significantly heightened during the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) from 1990 to 1999, which aimed to reduce the loss of lives and property caused by natural disasters . Then the current United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) was established on December 22, 1999, and its creation was part of the UN’s efforts to implement the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) . The establishment of UNDRR was influenced by the growing global awareness of the social and economic impacts of natural disasters. Currently the UNDRR focuses on coordinating international efforts in disaster risk reduction and support the implementation and review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which was adopted in 2015. The Sendai framework is a 15 year, voluntary, people-centred approach to disaster risk reduction. https://www.undrr.org/media/16176/download, https://www.undrr.org/implementing-sendai-framework.
UNDRR-Africa Liaison Office, based in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, provides support to the African Union Commission to implement the Programme of Action (POA) for the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 in Africa. https://www.preventionweb.net/files/67054_poaimplementationofthesendaiframewo[1].pdf.
The Permanent Mission of Ethiopia in Geneva has been actively participating in the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) initiatives. The Permanent Mission, as a representative of the country promotes Ethiopia’s efforts in disaster risk reduction, the impacts of climate change-related hazards, and the execution of the Sendai Framework. The Permanent Mission chairs the UNDRR Support Group for one year, from September 2024 until August 2025. This leadership role underscores Ethiopia’s commitment to enhancing disaster risk management and fostering international collaboration. This also makes Ethiopia the first African country to serve as chair of the Support Group since its establishment.
