Isiolo County
Kenya

Marking the International DRR day in Kinna, Isiolo County

Organizer(s) Partners for Resilience Netherlands Red Cross Wetlands International Red Cross / Red Crescent Climate Centre
Venue
Kinna Location
Date
-

Disasters can happen almost anywhere and to anybody at any given time. Its magnitude and effect however varies from one place to another. Disasters in the world has been increasing in the last few decades in the world and the consequences can lead to severe losses especially for those who are not prepared to deal with it.

Studies shows that 12.5% of the world population is over 60 years and this figure is expected to increase by 22% by the year 2050 especially among the developing countries where disasters occur more frequently. This clearly shows increase in the number of vulnerable individuals which might need special attention when dealing with disasters.

However old age should not be confuse with fragility; being of older age do not necessary translates to vulnerability. But rather it is the relationship between old age and the likelihood of special needs requirement due to ageing that contributes to this fragility.

On the other side, older people have capacities that can contribute to reducing the risk of containing disasters. Old people have a wealth of information (indigenous knowledge) than can be very essential in enhancing the coping mechanisms of the modern society. Their knowledge on hazards, vulnerabilities, traditional coping strategies, and historical experiences can contribute immensely in providing vital data on different hazards, and in turn provide analytical insights on how to deal with them. Therefore the ageing population is very important in planning, adapting and responding to different disasters that is happening in today’s modern world.

From these facts above, many organizations have seen the importance of including the older people in post-Hyogo framework of action 2015 by not only recognizing the impact of disasters on them but also appreciating their roles in disaster reduction.

The international day for Disaster Risk reduction is a day set aside every year to celebrate how communities respond to disasters and also to sensitize the mass on the importance of DRR in our work.

2014 International DRR day will be marked on 13th October globally and CORDAID-Kenya will celebrate this day in style in Kinna - Isiolo County.

The theme of 2014 is: Resilience for Life- focus being on the ageing populations. This year’s theme is very relevant to the work conducted by DRR practitioners in Kenya since by focusing on the aged, we deal with the most vulnerable individuals thus contributing to the overall resilience of the society.

Planned activities:

This year several DRR actors in the Isiolo County among them the National drought Management Authority and technical working group on DRR in Isiolo have joined hands in marking this important day. Several activities have been planned for this day ;

1. Tree planting activity to contribute to already ongoing projects in Merti
2. Media coverage for this event (Baliti FM, standard media group, Kenya News Agency)
3. Appreciating school Driven early warning systems through the Drought ambassadors’ clubs
4.Conducting radio talk shows prior to the event to raise awareness of this day
5. Hosting of the drought cycle management flag in Biliqo primary as a way of enhancing community preparedness.

Outputs from marking this event:

• To sensitize the community, County Government and other stakeholders on the importance of aged population in dealing with disasters
• To encourage old and young people to work by integration of both indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge and reducing the risk of disasters happening.
• To encourage peaceful co-existence between the different communities in the County by engaging the elderly in the dialogue process.
• To showcase and learn from good practices on DRR in the county for learning and replication.
• To enhance ecosystem restoration and management by planting more trees.

Attachments

View image , English

Editors' recommendations

Explore further

Country and region Kenya Africa
Share this

Please note: Content is displayed as last posted by a PreventionWeb community member or editor. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of UNDRR, PreventionWeb, or its sponsors. See our terms of use

Is this page useful?

Yes No Report an issue on this page

Thank you. If you have 2 minutes, we would benefit from additional feedback (link opens in a new window).