International Day for Disaster Reduction

International Day for Disaster Reduction began in 1989, after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. Held every 13 October, the day celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face.

International Day for Disaster Reduction 2024

Empowering the next generation for a resilient future is the theme of this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on 13 October 2024. 

To achieve the goal of the Sendai Framework of reducing global disaster risks and losses, the theme of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2024 will be on the role of education in protecting and empowering youth for a disaster-free future. 

Key messages

• Disasters are growing and impact the well-being of children and youth. 
• A staggering 400 million students globally experienced school closures from extreme weather since 2022.
• Every child and youth deserves to be protected from disasters, especially at school. 
• Schools have a critical role in promoting a culture of disaster prevention and empowering young people to understand and act on the risks they face.  
• Early warning systems should be accessible to children and youth so that no one is left behind.
• A one-time investment of $18.51 per child can mitigate the impact from climate shocks. 
• Climate crisis is hitting education the hardest in low-income countries, with 18 school days lost annually on average, compared to 2.4 days in wealthier nations.
• Building the preparedness of children and youth can help protect entire families and communities.  
• Countries need child-centred DRR policies. This means integrating the needs, vulnerabilities and ideas of children into disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation plans, with resources dedicated to their implementation. 
• Child-centred DRR is grounded in the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 
• Schools should be safe learning spaces, where children and staff are protected from ALL risks 
• The Comprehensive School Safety Framework offers governments a way to protect children and schools from all risks and hazards in the education sector  
• Children and youth have the right to safety, security, and protection in schools, to educational continuity, and to participate in decisions that affect their future. 
• Over 1 billion children have had their lives disrupted by disasters since 2000, with over 80,000 schools  damaged or destroyed. Child rights must be protected for #safechildrensafeschools.  
• Governments and partners need to act now to commit to implementing the Comprehensive School Safety Framework to protect children, educators, staff, & schools - we need a multi-hazard approach to school safety. Sendai Seven Campaign

The Sendai Framework has seven strategic targets and 38 indicators for measuring progress on reducing disaster losses. In 2016, the UN Secretary-General launched “The Sendai Seven Campaign” to promote each of the seven targets over seven years. These indicators align implementation of the Sendai Framework with implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The primary goal of the Sendai Framework is to avoid creating new and reduce existing risk. But when that is not possible, people-centered early warning systems and preparedness can enable early action to minimize the harm to people, assets and livelihoods.

The Sendai Seven Campaign is an opportunity for all, including governments, local governments, community groups, civil society organisations, the private sector, international organisations, to promote best practice at international, regional and national level across all sectors, to reduce disaster risk and disaster losses.

Related resources

• Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
• IDDR website of UNISDR
• National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) - India