In May 2011, BDPC was invited to participate in the third Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. It was an excellent opportunity to share our community based approach with the international disaster management community, learn about recent developments in DRR, be involved in global discussion and advocate for the empowerment of disaster prone communities.
Director of BDPC, Muhammad Saidur Rahman addressing the plenary at the 3rd session of GPDRR
The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) has been taking place biannually since 2007 and serves as the primary multi-stakeholders’ forum for all parties involved in DRR. The third session of the GPDRR, along with the World Reconstruction Conference funded by the World Bank, was held in Geneva, 8-13 May 2011. The session was opened by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and was attended by over 2,600 delegates representing 168 countries. Participants included inter- governmental organizations, NGOs, members of parliaments and local governments, academic institutions, civil society and the private sector.
BDPC’s contribution
Poster display
In the lead up to the conference, the World Bank ran an innovation competition. Applications were sought from organizations implementing innovative solutions to disaster recovery and all entrants had the opportunity to display a poster promoting their innovation at the GPDRR. BDPC submitted an entry in cooperation with our partner, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), promoting our Shelter Based Community Risk Reduction project.
Participation in open panel discussion
SDC and the Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP) organized an open panel to discuss “Learning from success and failures: Evaluation into action in the field of DRR”. The panel included senior representatives from a number of UN and international non-government organizations.
BDPC's Director, Muhammad Saidur Rahman, urged the participants to consider the issue from the perspective of the poorest of the poor. While a theoretical analysis may show that practitioners are indeed evaluating their projects and applying the learning, the reality is that the poorest communities have seen very little reduction in their risk of disaster. Md. Rahman brought this to the attention of the panelists.
Presentation at the plenary
As a strategic partner of the UN's International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), BDPC had the opportunity to address the plenary. Mr. Rahman's presentation highlighted the need to address the underpinning issues of governance and community empowerment to break the vicious cycle of poverty and disaster.
Side events and networking
Mr. Rahman attended sessions covering regional cooperation in early warning systems (specifically South Asia), integrated disaster resilience and community engagement in disaster management. These issues are highly relevant to the challenges faced by Bangladesh. The sessions provided an excellent opportunity for gaining new knowledge and discussing solutions with representatives of large and small NGOs, government agencies and multi and bilateral organizations from around the world. The insights gained will inform BDPC’s project development and advocacy strategy.
Bangladesh Delegates at GPDRR
Outcomes of the third GPDRR
The discussions at the third session established that we now have the knowledge, the means and the right attitude to make disaster risk reduction a local, national and international precedence. There is a sense of urgency and clear political and economic consensus to invest more in disaster risk reduction.
The conference determined the need for an integrated approach, with recommendations implemented by multiple stakeholders through their various roles. This includes the engagement of the private sector as leaders in the construction of resilient infrastructure, sustainable development of urban areas, energy safety, and the protection of critical resources; the crucial role of parliamentarians in setting up state policy, norms and legislation, and creating enabling environments; and the active involvement and support of scientific and technical communities. Strengthening UNISDR to provide implementation support was also deemed key to successfully enacting the recommendations.
For more information about the conference, visit www.preventionweb.net/globalplatform
View the transcript of BDPC's statement made by Director, Muhammad Saidur Rahman at the conference
