Earth Observations in Support of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction A Presentation to the 2017 GEO Work Programme Symposium, CSIR International Convention Centre, Tshwane, Pretoria, South Africa. Johnson Owaro, Agriculture and Food Security Coordinator, Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda Email: Johnson.owaro@gmail.com

Presentation format An Overview of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) How Earth Observations can support DRR under the auspices of the Sendai framework

What is the Sendai Framework for DRR? The Sendai Framework is the successor instrument to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. The Framework is a 15-year (2015/20130) agreement which recognizes that the State has the primary role to reduce disaster risk but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders including local government, the private sector and other stakeholders.

What is the desired outcome of the framework? The substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries.

What are the Global Targets of the Sendai Framework? The Seven Global Targets Substantially reduce global disaster mortality by 2030, aiming to lower average per 100,000 global mortality rate in the decade 2020-2030 compared to the period 2005-2015. Substantially reduce the number of affected people globally by 2030, aiming to lower average global figure per 100,000 in the decade 2020 -2030 compared to the period 2005-2015. Reduce direct disaster economic loss in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030. Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services, among them health and educational facilities, including through developing their resilience by 2030. Substantially increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020. Substantially enhance international cooperation to developing countries through adequate and sustainable support to complement their national actions for implementation of this Framework by 2030. Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to the people by 2030.

The Frameworks four (4) priorities for Action Priority 1. Understanding disaster risk Disaster risk management should be based on an understanding of disaster risk in all its dimensions of vulnerability, capacity, exposure of persons and assets, hazard characteristics and the environment. Such knowledge can be used for risk assessment, prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response. Priority 2. Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk Disaster risk governance at the national, regional and global levels is very important for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation. It fosters collaboration and partnership. Priority 3. Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience Public and private investment in disaster risk prevention and reduction through structural and non-structural measures are essential to enhance the economic, social, health and cultural resilience of persons, communities, countries and their assets, as well as the environment. Priority 4. Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction The growth of disaster risk means there is a need to strengthen disaster preparedness for response, take action in anticipation of events, and ensure capacities are in place for effective response and recovery at all levels. The recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction phase is a critical opportunity to build back better, including through integrating disaster risk reduction into development measures.

How can National Governments achieve the four priorities of Action? Focus should be on development of practical approaches to DRR, while ensuring engagement and ownership of action by all stakeholders, and strengthening accountability in disaster risk reduction. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), in particular, should support implementation of the framework, especially among developing countries, with regular follow-up and review, while working with States, and through mobilization of experts.

Earth Observations: How can they support Disaster Risk reduction Earth Observations: How can they support Disaster Risk reduction? A case of Uganda! Through GeoGLAM, a GEO initiative, we are using moderate resolution remote sensing information to support early warning and the implementation of a World Bank Funded Disaster Risk Financing programme in Karamoja, one of East Africa’s most drought vulnerable areas.  Uganda is also using geo-spatial data in areas facing particular development challenges. Most recently, we developed geospatial information using unmanned aerial vehicles and satellite data for a refugee settlement to support risk informed decision-making. This was a first for Uganda, and this approach is now being rolled-out to cover other areas, such as communities facing flood and landslide risks among others.

Earth Observations: How can they support Disaster Risk reduction? Con’t Through the Uganda National Meteorology Authority and the Department of Water Resource Management, we are now using High- resolution weather and hydrological equipment for real-time monitoring of the environment and climate. Additionally, we are operating an early warning and disaster coordination centre, the National Emergency Coordination and Operations Centre. This centre uses earth observation information and products to monitor, disseminate and coordinate disaster risk management and response.

Earth Observation tools in support of Disaster Risk reduction

Earth Observation tools in support of Disaster Risk reduction, NECOC

I thank you Johnson Owaro Agriculture and Food Security Coordinator, Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda Email: Johnson.owaro@gmail.com