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STATEMENT by MARGARETA WAHLSTROM, ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR DISASTER
RISK REDUCTION, UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY FOR DISASTER REDUCTION
Most of us have occasionally experienced severe weather, such as gale force winds or flooding rains,
and maybe have also witnessed the devastating impacts of long-term drought. Even in an age of sturdy
architecture, public flood protection works and early warning systems we can still be shaken by the fearful
power of nature and the threat it can represent to our safety and well-being.
However, for many millions of people around the world, such events are not occasional, nor are they mere
disruptions to the daily routine. They occur frequently and threaten life itself through drowning, collapse of
dwellings, injury and ill health, as well as by destroying assets, livelihoods and food supplies.
We know that climate change will make matters worse, and that this will be the case most immediately for
the poor. Many communities face not only greater extremes of weather and raised sea levels, but also depleted
water resources and food production, which weakens their capacities to resist even the current levels of stress.
Clearly, we must prepare. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a fundamental requirement. But we
must also act to reduce disaster risks, by applying well known methods such as risk assessments, land use
management, building codes, early warning systems and public education. Disaster risk reduction methods
must become a foundation stone of climate change policy.
This World Climate Conference provides the perfect opportunity to emphasise the need for risk-reducing
adaptation action, underpinned by sound monitoring systems, databases, analysis centres and research
programmes. It should show practical ways forward, to make the world a safer place.
Margareta Wahlstrom
Assistant Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction,
United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction