Amy Sebring: Welcome to the EIIP Panel Room! Amy Sebring: Last month our panel discussed linking disaster reduction to sustainable development in the U.S., and today we are going to continue that discussion in the international context, with specific focus on the Western Hemisphere. Amy Sebring: This year marks the end of the Decade of Natural Disaster Reduction, and we will have a special session next week on that topic. But this is a time when the international community is also looking toward the future, and an especially appropriate time for today's discussion. Amy Sebring: Background information for today's session is located at http://www.emforum.org/vforum/990616.htm ... Amy Sebring: and a number of links to other sites and articles may be found there, as well as short bios for today's panelists. Amy Sebring: A quick reminder of the protocol for any first timers -- we will be having approximately 30 minutes of presentation and 30 minutes of audience Q&A. Amy Sebring: Please do not send private messages to our panelists or the moderator during the session as it makes it difficult to follow the flow of the discussion. Amy Sebring: We will review the instructions for Q&A just before we begin that portion of the program. Amy Sebring: In researching today's topic, I discovered that a Hemispheric Congress had been held on just this topic during the Fall of 1996. Thirteen major policy areas were defined, as well as over 60 specific recommendations. Amy Sebring: We are in the process of tracking down the published proceedings of the Congress, and I will have a link from the background page, probably no later than early next week when we post the transcript. Amy Sebring: Before we get started, I would like to share a quote from a posting to the IDNDR Internet Conference which came out just yesterday afternoon, to illustrate that the context of sustainable development for disaster reduction seems to be pervasive internationally. Amy Sebring: This is by Gustavo López Ospina, Badaoui Rouhban and Julia Heiss of UNESCO and is entitled, "Education for a Sustainable Future," and the link to a related article on the importance of education is http://www.quipu.net: 1999/English/archive/14jun99b.html Amy Sebring: "Sustainable development has been variously defined and described. It is not a fixed notion, but rather a process of change in the relationship between social, economic and natural systems and processes... Amy Sebring: "Perhaps the most widely used definition focus on the relationship between social, development and economic opportunity, on the one hand, and the requirements of the environment on the other... Amy Sebring: "In brief, sustainability calls for a dynamic balance among all factors, including the social, cultural and economic requirements of humankind and the imperative need to safeguard the natural environment of which humanity is part. Amy Sebring: "What is sought is the condition of "human security" for all people. (UNESCO/EPD 1997)" Amy Sebring: We are pleased to have a very distinguished panel with us today ... Amy Sebring: We are pleased to welcome back Helena Molin Valdes, with the IDNDR Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean, and who helped us celebrate World Disaster Reduction Day last October. Amy Sebring: We are also pleased to have Stephen Bender with us from the OAS Unit of Sustainable Development and Environment, who has been involved with disaster reduction issues for quite some time. Amy Sebring: Finally, we are pleased to welcome Ollie Davidson, a consultant who has been working with the World Bank recently on a project in the Caribbean. Amy Sebring: First we will start off with Helena, who is an architect by training, and has previous experience with development in Latin America... Amy Sebring: Helena will share some of her experience with Latin America and we also asked her to speak about the recent IDNDR meeting in Costa Rica. Thank you for joining us Helena. Helena Molin: Than you. I was a little late... maybe we can start with Steve so I can get my act together... Amy Sebring: Stephen are you ready to go? Amy Sebring: Helena, we will wait for you ... Helena Molin: We celebrated an IDNDR Hemispheric Meeting in San Jose, Costa Rica, last 1-4 June, with 635 participants from 31 countries to review progress in issues related to disaster reduction Helena Molin: The most important learning from Latin America and the Caribbean, as seen in this meeting, may be the UNDERSTANDING of risk, as part of development issues. Helena Molin: In order to fully appreciate the feasibility of disaster prevention, it is essential to recognize the distinction between hazard, vulnerability and risk. Helena Molin: ˇ Natural hazards comprise phenomena such as earthquakes; volcanic activity; landslides; tsunamis, tropical cyclones and other severe storms; tornadoes and high winds; river floods and coastal flooding; wildfires and associated haze; drought; infestations; Helena Molin: As you already pointed out at the beginning: ˇ Vulnerability to natural disasters is a function of human actions and behaviour. Helena Molin: It describes the degree to which a socioeconomic system is either susceptible or resilient to the impacts of natural phenomena, and includes aspects of awareness of hazards, the condition of human settlements and infrastructure, public policy and administration, and organized abilities in all fields of disaster management; Helena Molin: ˇ The risk of a natural disasters is the probability of a disaster occurring, i.e. the impact of a natural hazard on a socioeconomic system with a given level of vulnerability: Helena Molin: Consequently, risk management includes aspects of hazard awareness, vulnerability assessment, impact prediction, and the formulation of counter measures. These would include the mitigation of hazard impacts or the reduction of vulnerability. Helena Molin: This is not new to us, but it is interesting to share these views with emergency people, UN agencies, local community leaders, municipality authorities, etc., as we did in San Jose. Helena Molin: We had a session called: Reconstruction as part of sustainable disaster reduction... Helena Molin: meaning that when we talk about sustainable DEVELOPMENT that does not necessarily implies risk reduction. Helena Molin: The limitations of traditional disaster management approaches Helena Molin: Reactive coping capacities which prepare communities for an adequate response should disaster strike, reach a level of near perfection over time. Helena Molin: . Improvements in institutional efficiency and coordination, the application of modern technology to disaster response, the availability of better early-warning data, faster means of information exchange, better contingency planning and many more similar measures will improve the capacity to respond and therefor mitigate the impact- but, it will not reduce the physical and economic impact. Helena Molin: Conversely, the level of risk to natural disasters rises in a progressive manner, due to the increasing complexity of socioeconomic systems: population growth, settlements in higher risk zones, aging infrastructure. Helena Molin: The effects of global environmental change contribute to such increase of risk. Every system reaches a point where the level of risk exceeds the existing coping capacities, unless countermeasures are taken. If gains in response capacities can only be marginal, no solution is left but to engage in proactive risk reduction. Helena Molin: This being said, it is obvious that the concept of disaster reduction is not opposed to disaster relief, but integrates effective response as an indispensable element of concerted long-term preventive strategies, in case of need. Helena Molin: The elements of natural disaster reduction adopted by IDNDR Helena Molin: Natural disaster reduction is a strategic concept leading towards the reduction of the loss of life and property, as well as the social and economic disruption resulting from natural disasters. Helena Molin: It relates to several other strategic approaches of the international community, such as, sustainable development, poverty eradication, protection of natural resources, climate change, as well as economic globalization and public private partnerships. Helena Molin: It injects the specific concerns of risk management and vulnerability reduction into these social and economic strategies. At the same time, it draws from these respective domains for the benefit of its own policy development, advocacy efforts and coordination needs. Helena Molin: Disaster reduction is an ongoing process and not limited to a singular disaster event. It motivates societies at risk to become engaged in the conscious management of risk, beyond traditional response to and defense against the impacts of natural phenomena. Helena Molin: Disaster reduction is multi sectoral and interdisciplinary in character and comprises a wide variety of interrelated activities at the local, national, regional and international levels. Helena Molin: These include: Helena Molin: OK, I just want to give the lines for disaster reduction. Later we continue.. Amy Sebring: No, please continue Helena ... Helena Molin: ˇ comprehensive research activities for better understanding of natural hazards and how their effects may be better addressed; Helena Molin: ˇ application of scientific knowledge and technology for disaster prevention, preparedness and mitigation, including the transfer of experience and greater access to relevant data; Helena Molin: ˇ structural measures to strengthen disaster resilience of human settlements and public infrastructure, and to contain the potential impacts of natural phenomena on socioeconomic systems, based on risk assessment/risk mapping; Helena Molin: ˇ establishing public policy commitment on disaster prevention, preparedness and mitigation and adopting relevant legislation at both the national and local levels of administration; Helena Molin: ˇ advocacy and sustained programmes of public information about natural hazards, vulnerabilities and risk, including formal education and professional training; Helena Molin: ˇ establishing public policy commitment on disaster prevention, preparedness and mitigation and adopting relevant legislation at both the national and local levels of administration; Helena Molin: ˇ integration of disaster prevention into national planning, including the establishment of effective risk management capacities, including disaster relief; Helena Molin: ˇ measures of land use planning which include hazard awareness, vulnerability analysis, and risk assessment with the participatory involvement of local authorities; Helena Molin: ˇ measures of decentralization of operational responsibilities and budgetary resources for risk management which will empower local communities to a greater degree of self reliance and improve their resilience to natural disasters. Helena Molin: We saw MANY examples of successful implementation of such measures in the Region during our Meeting 10 days ago in San Jose. Helena Molin: Later on in this discussion, I can give you some of the highlights from the recommendations. Go ahead.. Amy Sebring: Thank you Helena. Next, Stephen Bender was involved in the Hemispheric Congress I mentioned earlier, and co-authored the proceedings. His particular focus of late has been the education sector, and he is well aware of the challenges ahead. Amy Sebring: Thank you for coming today Stephen. Stephen Bender: Hello and thank you for the opportunity to participate. I will now share some thoughts on this issue of sustainable development and disaster reduction. Amy Sebring: (please stand by, it takes a moment) Helena Molin: May I give you some of the major recommendations from the Congress meanwhile? Amy Sebring: Thanks, we are having some difficulty with Stephen right now... Amy Sebring: but I would like to move on to Ollie.. Amy Sebring: and come back to Stephen. Amy Sebring: Disaster resilience is also an important part of disaster reduction, and here to tell us about the World Bank and the project he is currently involved with is Ollie Davidson. Thank you for coming Ollie. Ollie Davidson: Hello, and thanks, Ollie Davidson: DISASTERS VS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Ollie Davidson: First, the World Bank activities and my role in the Bank's Disaster Management Team Ollie Davidson: I believe that employers are the "missing link" which should become a powerful force to build disaster resistant communities. Vern Adler: ? Ollie Davidson: The World Bank Headquarters is organized into a set of six Regional Offices Ollie Davidson: Field offices outside of the World Bank's Washington headquarters are in more Ollie Davidson: 90 countries which includes client and lending partner countries Ollie Davidson: MAJOR BANK DISASTER ELEMENTS Ollie Davidson: 1. The Disaster Management Facility (DMF) Ollie Davidson: 2. A Disaster Management Team - Latin America focus now Ollie Davidson: Members: W Bank, FEMA, USGS, NOAA and Ollie Davidson Ollie Davidson: 3. Projects & Loans (Chart coming) Ollie Davidson: 4. A Disaster Coordinator (soon to be selected) Ollie Davidson: Disaster Management Facility Ollie Davidson: 1. Market Incentives for Mitigation Investment (MIMI) Ollie Davidson: Training in Prevention, Mitigation and Response Ollie Davidson: W B Disaster Projects 1980-99 Ollie Davidson: * 199 Projects - 74 Countries Ollie Davidson: W B Emphasis, Ollie Davidson: Mitigation as Routine in all disaster prone countries Ollie Davidson: In closing, my Business oriented approach would motivate... Ollie Davidson: businesses to protect their employees, their jobs through.. Ollie Davidson: mitigation and preparedness measures. Thanks, Ollie. Amy Sebring: We are running way over today, and I had to ask Ollie to shorten it up a little. Amy Sebring: Thanks Ollie! Amy Sebring: We are going to try Stephen one more time ... Amy Sebring: if it doesn't work, we will insert his remarks into the transcript... Amy Sebring: Stephen? Stephen Bender: Disaster Reduction and Sustainable Development ... Sustainable Development is Impossible in Conditions of Vulnerability to Natural Disasters Stephen Bender: Disaster Reduction and Sustainable Development ... Sustainable Development is Impossible in Conditions of Vulnerability to Natural Disasters Stephen Bender: There are three principal development themes adopted by the countries of the Americas following the end of the Cold War: 1. Sustainable Development and Appropriate Environmental Management 2. Promotion of Free Trade 3. Strengthening of Democracy Stephen Bender: Each of these plays a part in the declarations, resolutions, plans of action, and programs at from the hemispheric and regional summits, conferences and meetings and from national development plans. They are today and for the foreseeable future the guideposts for shaping development actions. Stephen Bender: The three principal questions as to mainstreaming disaster reduction in development and refer back to the three principal themes of development in the hemisphere. All three themes deal with the sustainability of economic and social development actions in the next century: Stephen Bender: The three questions for consideration are: Stephen Bender: The three questions for consideration are: Stephen Bender: 1. How will existing disaster management models be adapted to development needs? Stephen Bender: 2. What are the limitations of cost/benefit analysis in justifying investments in vulnerability reduction and in their absence what justification will be used to such investments attending to the needs of the poor? Stephen Bender: 3. What will be the legacy that our present interests leave as action agendas for the next decade? Stephen Bender: The short answers to these questions, given the time are 1. that sectors must incorporate disaster management into their agendas, supported by, not coordinated by disaster management agencies. Stephen Bender: 2. The poor must be made the unqualified objective of disaster reduction. Stephen Bender: And 3. We must work to develop appropriate agendas with all relevant sectors at all levels. Amy Sebring: Thank you Stephen. Thank you audience for your patience today ... Amy Sebring: Now, let us get on with the Q&A. If we run out of time, you are invited to return to the Virtual Forum room after we conclude our session for open discussion ... Amy Sebring: Audience, please enter just a question mark (?) at any time to indicate you wish to speak, go ahead and compose your question or comment ... Amy Sebring: but hold it until you are recognized, then click on Send. Please indicate to whom your question is addressed. Amy Sebring: We are ready to begin. Amy Sebring: Vern, did you have a question or comment? Bob Klebs: ? Amy Sebring: Bob please. Bob Klebs: It looks like everyone is pointing to Mitigation as the answer. Bob Klebs: Who pays for mitigation? Bob Klebs: The locals..... or the state government? Amy Sebring: Helena would you like to address that issue? Amy Sebring: Especially the necessity we are seeing in the literature regarding involvement at the local level? Stephen Bender: First and foremost those who are owners of the vulnerability, the owners of the infrastructure. Helena Molin: If we go back to see what mitigation- or disaster reduction is- it is not necessarily EXTRA things that need extra budget, but should be integrated Ollie Davidson: Companies will pay for their own mitigation, if convinced it saves $$ Bob Klebs: yes.... Helena Molin: Budgets may also be made available as part of insurance investments- locally or state or private Stephen Bender: Ollie that points to the differences between physical and financial risk. Bob Klebs: but that shopping center built in the floodplain.. ... was poorly planned in the first place. Amy Sebring: Helena, would you like to briefly mention the recommendations from the San Jose meeting? Helena Molin: What refers local communities and Govts: many mitigation measures- VULNERABILITY REDUCTION- is part of improving everyday life. Helena Molin: Yes Stephen Bender: Let both public and private sectors alike pay the real cost of the losses instead of using vulnerability as a subsidy. Ollie Davidson: Some companies are realizing that their employees are valuable, will help protect them. Amy Sebring: I would also like to mention the statistic that 90 -- 95% of impacts from disasters are in the poorer countries, not only in terms of lives lost, but also economically as a percent of GDP. Helena Molin: Some recommendations: Helena Molin: 4. To include on a constant basis local communities and their organisations, Helena Molin: with an equal participation of men and women, in the process of planning, social control and policy aspects, and establish those mechanisms which are necessary to this purpose. Helena Molin: 6. That governments include vulnerability and risk reduction elements in the formulation of national policies, strategies and development plans, and adopt common regional and sub- regional strategies to optimize the use of national and international resources. Amy Sebring: Helena, do you have the link handy where the San Jose recommendations are posted? Helena Molin: www.disaster.info.desastres.net (under Hemispheric Meeting) Amy Sebring: We are out of time, and again our appreciation to our panelists today who have given their time to be with us. Amy Sebring: (thanks Helena, sorry to cut you short) Amy Sebring: A text transcript will be available this afternoon via the Transcripts link on our home page and the reformatted versions early next week. Helena Molin: No problem! Amy Sebring: Before we close the Panel Room for today, reminders about next week's events. Avagene please. Avagene Moore: Thanks Amy. Next Tuesday, June 22 is the Round Table led by the International Association of Emergency Managers. ... Avagene Moore: On Wednesday, June 23, 12: 00 Noon EDT, Philippe Boulle, Director of the IDNDR Secretariat will be with us from Geneva. Please join us for Mr. Boulle's session. That's all for now, Amy. Amy Sebring: We will close down the Panel room now, but you are invited to join us back in the Virtual Forum room to personally thank our guests and for open discussion.