Inclusion

Negotiations toward the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction (DRR) took place largely in informal consultations on the sidelines of the conference’s Main Committee. Intense discussions culminated in the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 in a closing plenary that took place at midnight on the final day...

As the first of a number of agreements to be considered in 2015, Sendai faces a particularly hard challenge in ensuring that it will reflect the other agreements still under intergovernmental negotiation. The framework recognizes the linkages, but does not fully embrace them. Hopefully, however, the three other agreements will reinforce them...

The Japan News reports on key targets incorporated in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030‏ - the mitigation of disaster damage to infrastructure in disaster-hit regions and increasing disaster-related assistance - and offers ways in which Japan can and has contributed to the process...

Although Japan has the capacity to help ensure the mental health and well-being of its disaster survivors, the public still needs to pay more attention to their mental health issues,' said Judy Kuriansky. 'When we talk about reconstruction efforts, it is important to note that it is not only about building back (destroyed) buildings but rebuilding people'...

The Sendai Framework is built to last for the next 15 years, and as the first of three major deals due to be struck this year on sustainable development and climate change, it attracted a high level of political interest - certainly more than usual for the theme...Here are 10 things worth knowing about what's in the final agreement, and what got left out...

'Children are especially vulnerable to disasters as they can be adversely affected in so many ways...' said Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Programme Director. 'But children have also proven crucial to reducing risks posed to their communities. The Sendai Framework establishes children and youth as agents of change who must be given the opportunity to shape policies and programmes for risk reduction'...

Obinna Anyadike of IRIN reports on the disappointment of development NGOs over the adopted Sendai Framework as lacking in ambition and short-changing poorer countries, but also notes that the conference has catapulted the concept of disaster risk reduction up the list of current big ideas of the global aid enterprise...

When Sendai was hit by a huge earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, earlier disaster-prevention efforts - including work to strengthen buildings and evacuation drills - minimised damage and meant that not one child died inside a school, including three located on the coast...