What is Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030?
Historical Background
Key Points
12 points- 1.
The Sendai Framework prioritizes understanding disaster risk. This means countries need to invest in data collection, risk assessments, and research to better understand the hazards they face, their vulnerabilities, and the potential impacts of disasters. For example, India's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) conducts vulnerability assessments for different hazards across the country.
- 2.
Strengthening disaster risk governance is another key priority. This involves establishing clear roles and responsibilities for different government agencies, promoting coordination and collaboration, and ensuring that disaster risk reduction is integrated into national and local development plans. For instance, many states in India have State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) that work in coordination with the NDMA.
- 3.
Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience is crucial. This includes investing in infrastructure that can withstand disasters, promoting sustainable land management practices, and providing access to financial resources for disaster risk reduction. For example, constructing cyclone shelters in coastal areas is a form of investment in disaster risk reduction.
- 4.
Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to 'Build Back Better' in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction is essential. This involves developing early warning systems, conducting disaster drills, and ensuring that communities are prepared to respond to disasters. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in India plays a crucial role in disaster response.
- 5.
The framework emphasizes a people-centered approach. This means that disaster risk reduction efforts should be tailored to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of different communities, and that communities should be actively involved in planning and implementing disaster risk reduction measures. The news article you read highlights this very point.
- 6.
The Sendai Framework sets out seven global targets to measure progress in reducing disaster risk. These targets include reducing global disaster mortality, reducing the number of people affected by disasters, and reducing economic losses from disasters. These targets provide a framework for countries to track their progress and identify areas where more action is needed.
- 7.
A key difference from the Hyogo Framework is the stronger emphasis on the role of health systems in disaster risk reduction. This recognizes that disasters can have significant impacts on public health, and that health systems need to be prepared to respond to these impacts. For example, ensuring hospitals have backup power and water supplies is crucial.
- 8.
The framework promotes the use of technology in disaster risk reduction. This includes using satellite imagery, remote sensing, and other technologies to monitor hazards, assess risks, and improve early warning systems. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) uses satellite data to provide tsunami early warnings.
- 9.
The Sendai Framework recognizes the importance of international cooperation in disaster risk reduction. This includes providing financial and technical assistance to developing countries, sharing knowledge and best practices, and coordinating disaster response efforts. The UN plays a key role in facilitating international cooperation.
- 10.
The framework calls for integrating disaster risk reduction into all sectors of development, including agriculture, education, and health. This recognizes that disasters can have cascading impacts across different sectors, and that a holistic approach is needed to reduce disaster risk. For example, promoting climate-resilient agriculture can help reduce the vulnerability of farmers to droughts and floods.
- 11.
The Sendai Framework acknowledges the role of local governments and communities as first responders in disasters. Empowering local communities with knowledge, resources, and decision-making authority is crucial for effective disaster management. This is why the news article emphasizes community participation.
- 12.
The framework stresses the importance of accountability and transparency in disaster risk reduction. This means that governments should be held accountable for their actions, and that information about disaster risks and disaster management efforts should be readily available to the public. Regular audits of disaster preparedness measures are essential.
Visual Insights
Evolution of Disaster Risk Reduction Frameworks
Shows the progression from the Hyogo Framework to the Sendai Framework, highlighting key developments.
The Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015) preceded the Sendai Framework. The Sendai Framework built upon the HFA, incorporating lessons learned and addressing gaps in the previous framework.
- 2004Indian Ocean Tsunami highlights need for global disaster risk reduction framework
- 2005Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) adopted
- 2015Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction adopted in March
- 2023UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) report highlights slow progress in achieving Sendai Framework targets
- 2023Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework conducted in May
- 2026Continued implementation of Sendai Framework, focus on community-based initiatives and anticipatory action
Recent Developments
10 developmentsIn 2023, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) published a report highlighting the slow progress in achieving the Sendai Framework's targets, particularly in reducing economic losses from disasters.
The Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework was conducted in 2023, providing an opportunity to assess progress, identify challenges, and adjust strategies for achieving the framework's goals by 2030.
Several countries, including India, have integrated the Sendai Framework into their national disaster risk reduction strategies and action plans. India's National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) aligns with the Sendai Framework.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and resilience, and underscored the need for a more integrated approach to disaster risk reduction. It also exposed vulnerabilities in health systems and supply chains.
Climate change is exacerbating disaster risks, making it even more urgent to implement the Sendai Framework. Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods, are becoming more frequent and intense.
The UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework took place in May 2023, resulting in a political declaration to accelerate the implementation of the framework.
The UNDRR is promoting the use of the Sendai Framework Monitoring System (SFMS) to track progress in achieving the framework's targets. This system allows countries to report on their progress and identify areas where more action is needed.
Several international organizations, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, are providing financial and technical assistance to countries to implement the Sendai Framework.
Community-based disaster risk reduction initiatives are gaining momentum, with local communities playing a more active role in planning and implementing disaster risk reduction measures. The news article you read is a testament to this.
The focus is shifting towards anticipatory action, which involves taking measures to prevent disasters from happening in the first place, rather than just responding to them after they occur. For example, providing drought-resistant seeds to farmers in drought-prone areas is an example of anticipatory action.
This Concept in News
1 topicsFrequently Asked Questions
61. The Sendai Framework is non-binding. So, how does it actually influence disaster risk reduction policies in countries like India?
While non-binding, the Sendai Framework acts as a globally agreed-upon set of principles and priorities. India incorporates these principles into its national and state-level disaster management plans. For example, the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) aligns with the Sendai Framework's priorities, ensuring that India's disaster management efforts are in line with international best practices. The Disaster Management Act, 2005, provides the legal framework, and the National Policy on Disaster Management guides the implementation, both reflecting Sendai's goals.
2. What is the most common MCQ trap related to the seven global targets of the Sendai Framework?
The most common trap is misremembering the specific wording of the targets, especially those related to economic losses and the number of affected people. Examiners often present slightly altered versions of the targets, which can be confusing. For example, a question might ask about 'reducing the *impact* of disasters' instead of 'reducing the *number of people affected* by disasters'. Pay close attention to the precise wording used in the official documents.
Exam Tip
Create a table with the exact wording of each of the seven targets. Review it regularly to avoid getting tricked by similar-sounding options in MCQs.
3. The Sendai Framework emphasizes 'Building Back Better'. What does this mean in practice, and can you give an example of where it was successfully (or unsuccessfully) applied in India?
Building Back Better (BBB) means that after a disaster, reconstruction should not simply restore the previous conditions, but improve them to make communities more resilient to future disasters. This includes using better construction materials, improving infrastructure, and implementing better land-use planning. A successful example is the post-2001 Gujarat earthquake reconstruction, where new buildings were constructed with earthquake-resistant technology and better urban planning was implemented. A less successful example is the response to some flood events in Bihar, where reconstruction efforts often simply replaced damaged structures without addressing underlying vulnerabilities like poor drainage and unplanned construction.
4. How does the Sendai Framework differ from the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), and why was a new framework needed?
While the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) made progress in raising awareness about disaster risk reduction, it was criticized for its limited focus on addressing the underlying drivers of risk, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. The Sendai Framework builds upon the HFA by placing a stronger emphasis on understanding disaster risk, strengthening disaster risk governance, and investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience. It also includes a greater focus on the role of health systems and the use of technology in disaster risk reduction.
5. The 2023 Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework highlighted slow progress in reducing economic losses. What are the main reasons for this, and what can be done to accelerate progress?
The slow progress in reducing economic losses is due to several factors: answerPoints: * Increasing exposure: More assets and infrastructure are being built in hazard-prone areas. * Climate change: Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, leading to greater economic damage. * Underinvestment in resilience: Many countries are not investing enough in disaster-resistant infrastructure and other risk reduction measures. * Data gaps: Lack of reliable data on economic losses makes it difficult to track progress and identify effective interventions. To accelerate progress, countries need to: answerPoints: * Integrate disaster risk reduction into economic planning and investment decisions. * Invest in climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable development. * Improve data collection and risk assessments. * Promote risk transfer mechanisms, such as insurance.
6. Critics argue that the Sendai Framework is too broad and lacks specific, measurable targets beyond the seven global ones. What is the strongest argument for and against this criticism?
The strongest argument *for* this criticism is that the lack of specific, measurable targets at the national and local levels makes it difficult to hold countries accountable for progress. Without concrete benchmarks, it's challenging to assess whether the framework is truly leading to meaningful reductions in disaster risk. The strongest argument *against* this criticism is that the framework's broad, flexible nature allows countries to tailor their disaster risk reduction strategies to their specific contexts and needs. A more prescriptive framework might be less effective in diverse settings.
Source Topic
Enhancing Disaster Resilience Through Community Participation and Local Knowledge
Environment & EcologyUPSC Relevance
The Sendai Framework is important for UPSC aspirants because it is a key international agreement related to disaster management, which is a significant topic in the GS-3 (Environment & Disaster Management) paper. Questions can be asked about the framework's goals, targets, and priorities for action. In prelims, factual questions about the framework's adoption year or key targets are possible.
In mains, analytical questions about the framework's effectiveness, challenges in implementation, or its relevance to India's disaster management strategy can be asked. Essay topics related to disaster risk reduction or climate change could also draw upon the principles of the Sendai Framework. Recent developments related to the framework, such as the Midterm Review, are particularly important.