Finland supports international cooperation to reduce disaster risks

Finland has signed a four-year funding agreement with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. A total of EUR 4 million of support will be granted for the period 2018–2021.

Photo: MFA / Kimmo Laukkanen
Under-Secretary of State Elina Kalkku and Assistant Secretary-General Mami Mizutori.

The UNISDR (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction), which is part of the UN secretariat, coordinates UN programmes that prevent natural disasters and limit the damage caused by them. Its aim is to include precautions for natural disasters in national development plans and partnerships. The operations of the UNISDR are based on the Sendai framework, which was approved by the UN Member States in 2015.

By supporting measures to reduce disaster risks, Finland wants to remove barriers to achieving the UN goals for sustainable development and reduce the need for humanitarian aid over the long term. Finland’s support to UNISDR is channelled in the form of core funding, which enables long-term efforts to anticipate disasters and prevent material damage and personal injury.

Climate change, population growth and urbanisation increase the risk of disasters globally and especially in developing countries. Preventing disasters also offers a major opportunity for financial savings: According to UN estimates, reconstruction is seven to eight times more expensive than preparing for risks in the planning phase.