Category: Blog

  • Opinion: Disaster-prone Asia must not cut corners on critical infrastructure

    Opinion: Disaster-prone Asia must not cut corners on critical infrastructure

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    By Mami Mizutori Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) Much of the success in reducing mortality from disasters across Asia and the Pacific, particularly in the case of storms and floods, is due to improvements in early warning systems, weather forecasts and timely evacuations.…

  • 10 reasons businesses need to build resilience to disasters

    10 reasons businesses need to build resilience to disasters

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    By Mami Mizutori Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) This article is part of the World Economic Forum on ASEAN Extreme weather events were seen as the most prominent risk in the World Economic Forum’s 2018 Global Risks Report. Whether it’s the threat of…

  • Highlighting resiliency: Zamboanga City a case study at 2018 Singapore conference

    Highlighting resiliency: Zamboanga City a case study at 2018 Singapore conference

    Talking about disasters, risks and resilience have become urgent in recent years. Different sectors are now compelled to take on their respective roles in preparing for and preventing disasters that may lie ahead anywhere in the world. At the recent Asia Risk and Resilience Conference that took place in Singapore from 29-31 August, Zamboanga City…

  • NRC launches scorecard at LGA resilience forum

    NRC launches scorecard at LGA resilience forum

    On 23 August 2018, the National Resilience Council (NRC)—a science and technology-based, evidence-informed public-private partnership (PPP) promoting disaster resilience in the Philippines—launched its first version of the Resilient Local Government Systems Scorecard at the Resilience Marketplace for Innovation Forum (#ResiliencePH) held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Organized by the Local Government Academy…

  • NRC partners attend international workshop on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction

    NRC partners attend international workshop on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction

    From July 31 to August 3, around 38 representatives from 19 countries gathered at Jeju-do, South Korea for the four-day training-workshop on “Developing Capacities on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia-Pacific Region.” The workshop was organized by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) affiliated International Training Centre for Authorities…

  • Huge step towards disaster resilience

    Huge step towards disaster resilience

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    By Amb. Roberto R. Romulo President Duterte’s earnest call for Congress to pass a law creating a Department of Disaster Resilience during his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) is hopefully the start of a serious effort to address our country’s inadequate disaster management capabilities. The President had made a similar call in his…

  • A resilient PHL

    A resilient PHL

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    In the past many believed: “On the uncertainties that mother nature ordains, there is not much we can do other than cope with them”. Today, I have asked Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, the President of the National Resilience Council, a public- private science technology based partnership to write about how to achieve resilience.

  • Consolidating resilience endeavors

    Consolidating resilience endeavors

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    By Amb. Roberto R. Romulo I begin this column by quoting Mrs. Toni Yulo-Loyzaga, Chairperson of the International Advisory Board, Manila Observatory: “The Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) identified four priorities: Understanding risk, Strengthening disaster risk governance, Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, and, Enhancing preparedness for effective response to build back …

  • Earthquakes: Are we prepared?

    Earthquakes: Are we prepared?

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    By Amb. Roberto R. Romulo The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council has enhanced their capability substantially since Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. On the other hand, the private sector pioneered by the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) led by Manuel V. Pangilinan and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala has also done an extremely credible job. Yet neither…