National conference on disaster risk reduction: Assessing and managing risks in Lebanon
Aim and Objectives of the Conference
The conference will aim to promote a common understanding of the risks which Lebanon currently faces, and to discuss practical strategies to strengthen resilience and to reduce vulnerabilities. In particular, the workshop will seek to:
a) To provide an overview of key natural and man-made risks in Lebanon;
b) To share experiences from other countries faced with similar challenges;
c) To initiate a national Disaster Risk Reduction Platform.
Background
Disaster losses are on the rise with grave consequences for the survival, dignity and livelihoods of people, in particular the poorest population. Disasters also severely affect investments, seriously reducing years of development efforts. A recent World Bank/UN report “Natural Hazards, UnNatural Disasters: the economics of effective prevention” estimates that storms, floods, earthquakes and droughts caused more than 3.3 million deaths and US$2.3 trillion in damage between 1970 and 2010. Looking ahead, growing cities and a changing climate will further shape disaster risks. The number of people exposed to storms and earthquakes in large cities could double to 1.5 billion by 2050. Furthermore, by the turn of the century, even without climate change, damages from weather-related hazards are expected to triple to US$185 billion annually. Despite the growing understanding of the importance of disaster risk reduction and increased disaster response capacities, the application of measures to reduce risk of disasters, and particularly related management and preparedness arrangements, continues to pose a global challenge.
Lebanon is not far from these realities, as it is subject to a wide range of natural hazards. The largest single disaster threat is that of a severe earthquake and associated Tsunami, due to tectonic fault lines across West Asia and in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, typical smaller-scale disasters include floods, forest fires, land-slides and drought. The vulnerability of the Lebanese population to both large and small-scale disaster threats is compounded by the following factors:
• Limited presence of the government ministries in peripheral regions;
• Limited effectiveness of the state regulatory frameworks in key sectors;
• Haphazard housing and unchecked urban expansion;
• Lack of enforcement of building codes;
• Lack of implementation of regulation of land use; and
• A range of environmental factors.
Disaster Risk Reduction is one of the government priorities in Lebanon, with more emphasis on post-disaster response. The establishment of appropriate policy frameworks and strategies on disaster management and risk reduction, and the improvement of coordination mechanisms however require further support in Lebanon.
Within this context, the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), in partnership with the United Nations, are organizing a conference on “Assessing and Managing Risks in Lebanon” to promote a strategic approach to address vulnerabilities and to reduce risks.