France National Platform

History

The French National Platform succeeded the French Government Committee for IDNDR (1990-2000), and has been active since its inception in fostering cooperation for DRR activities in France and Europe.

Structure

The French Platform is a partnership between public authorities, agencies, and civil society DRR stakeholders at national and local levels. It is led by the Ministry for Ecology and Sustainable Development (MEEDDM), in charge of DRR policies, with the support of AFPCN, acting as the executive (technical) secretariat of the platform. It works under the aegis of the COPRNM, the advisory body to the Minister on DRR matters, gathering the main stakeholders in this domain.

The functions of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction are performed under the direct supervision of the director general of DRR in MEEDDM, Mr Laurent Michel, assisted by the HFA focal point, Mr François Gérard, and by high level staff of the Ministry. Activities are carried out in association with AFPCN.

Established in 2001, AFPCN, has set up a Scientific Council. It works closely with the European Commission. In 2007, it started, on behalf of the French national platform, a European Network of National Platforms (ENNP), a co-operative structure with Germany, Czech Republic and Poland (cf http://www.ennp.eu), working now within the framework of the European Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction (EFDRR) established in 2009.

Budget

The MEEDDM supports the running costs of the platform; the budget for specific activities is financed by small subsidies from other Ministries (Interior etc) and by contributions from AFPCN members, including through pro bono work.

Aims

The National Platform helps shaping public policies on DRR. It develops advices and recommendations involving public authorities, research community and civil society on major issues related to disaster risks and is currently concentrating its activities in the following areas:

• National strategy for flood risk management;
• Prevention of seismic risks;
• Strategic approach to international activities of DRR;
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of local risk prevention planning;
• DRR and global change adaptation;
• Linking prevention and emergency response stakeholders;
• Vigilance and early warning systems;
• Networks' vulnerability and resilience;
• Education and public awareness.

Activities

The COPRNM holds 3 plenary sessions per year since Sept 2009. Working groups are active all through the year.

Activities carried out by AFPCN (since 2001: workshops, working groups, seminars, exhibitions, etc.) are listed in http://www.afpcn.org/Calendrier.htm and http://www.ennp.eu/Calendar.htm.