ECHO: International Day for Disaster Reduction 2015 - Helping to save lives and livelihoods

On 13 October each year, we observe the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR), a day to consider the importance of disaster preparedness that helps save lives and livelihoods.

With climate change intensifying and millions living in vulnerable areas, the importance of disaster risk reduction is growing rapidly. Close to half of the European Commission's humanitarian aid projects are incorporating disaster risk reduction components. Through its Disaster Preparedness Programme (DIPECHO), the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) supports disaster preparedness activities throughout the world and we have taken the opportunity to highlight a few of them on our website today.

For the last 18 years, the European Commission has been funding Disaster Risk Reduction projects in disaster-prone Philippines. Made up of hundreds of islands, the country is particularly vulnerable, witnessing over 20 typhoons a year on average, not to mention the regular earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that also impact the country.

Efforts to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities to the trend of more frequent and more devastating disasters, does not always have to be costly. Children in Malawi are taking an active role in preparing for when a disaster may strike by planting trees around their school. Migration "widows" in Tajikistan are getting organised to ensure that their communities are prepared.

Assisting people and communities in better withstanding and recovering from shocks today is more effective than responding to crises tomorrow. "We have a moral obligation to help people and communities to recover from shocks, to withstand disasters. In simple words, to help them strengthen their resilience", said Commissioner Stylianides.