Global Assessment Report

The 2009 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR) was launched in Bahrain on May 17, 2009. The Report provides hard-hitting evidence to demonstrate how, where and why disaster risk is increasing globally and presents key findings from a global analysis of disaster risk patterns and trends, including where high mortality and economic loss is concentrated.

Development efforts are increasingly at risk. A faltering global economy, food and energy insecurity, conflict, global climate change, declining ecosystems, extreme poverty, and the threat of epidemics seriously challenge progress towards improving social welfare and economic growth in many developing countries.

The Report is the first biennial global assessment of disaster risk reduction prepared in the context of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR). The ISDR, launched in 2000, provides a framework to coordinate actions to address disaster risks at the local, national, regional and international levels. The Hyogo Framework for Action for Action 2005-2015 (HFA), endorsed by 168 UN member states at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan in 2005, urges all countries to make major efforts to reduce their disaster risk by 2015.

There are 6 Appendices to the 2009 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction, found below or in the CD-ROM accompanying the Report.

About 100 background papers and case studies contributed to developing the analysis of this Report. Most final papers are represented here. Background papers are organized by chapters for which they were prepared.

Official speeches and presentations of the United Nations and ISDR partners on the occasion of the launch of the 2009 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction.

The Press Center contains the latest information on the latest press coverage GAR, as well as provides detailed information to journalists on the global and regional launches, accreditation, press kits, press releases and media advisory. It also includes multi-media products and promotion documents.

Latest news and media coverage on the launch of the 2009 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction.