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While the IDNDR followed a strictly technic- scientific approach in the beginning, the Yokohama conference in 1994 put socio- economic aspects as component of effective disaster prevention into perspective. It was recognised that social factors, such as cultural tradition, religious values, economic standing, and trust in political accountability are essential in the determination of societal vulnerability. In order to reduce societal vulnerability, and therewith decrease the consequences of natural disasters, these factors need to be addressed. The ability to address socio- economic factors requires knowledge and understanding of local conditions, which can – in most cases - only be provided by local actors. A global strategy aiming at reducing the impacts of natural hazards therefore must include the development of national and sub-national mechanisms for disaster risk reduction. Within this context the IDNDR called on the UN- member states to establish National Platforms which would facilitate the adjustment of general disaster risk reduction objectives to national/local conditions, implement the agreed policies and expand the understanding and perception of the importance of disaster risk reduction on national levels. However, while some countries successfully established national networks many did not. In practice, there remains a pressing need to revitalize and strengthen these national structures. Coming to its end the IDNDR was replaced and continued by the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR). The ISDR aims at both prosecuting initiatives and cooperations agreed on during the IDNDR and developing new mechanisms as well as pushing for further commitments from policy- makers. The spanning goal of reducing human, social, economic and environmental losses due to natural hazards (and related technological and environmental disasters) identifies the building of disaster resilient communities as main objective. The ISDR promotes the following four objectives as tools towards reaching disaster reduction for all:
Located in Geneva, Swiss, the ISDR- Secretariat is supplemented by the Inter- Agency Task Force on Disaster Reduction and the Inter- Agency Secretariat of the ISDR and subordinated to the Under- Secretary- General for Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations. While the ISDR- Secretariat is the focal point within the United Nations system for the coordination of strategies and programmes, and the interface between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio- economic and humanitarian field; close cooperation with already established National Platforms (and fostering the development of new Platforms in countries without national structures for disaster reduction) is essential for the successful implementation of the UN/ISDR. SEE ALSO
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