Union minister of state for health Dr Bharati Pawar on Wednesday said financing disaster risk reduction requires a multi-sector and multi-dimensional approach. It demands robust investment in early warning systems, preparedness measures, resilient infrastructure to withstand disasters and adequate resources for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. The Minister added that the long-term recovery process after a disaster is equally important. Adequate financial resources are required to support reconstruction efforts and revive local economies, this can be achieved by international cooperation and support.
She was speaking at the inauguration of the second meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRWG) in Mumbai today. The opening ceremony was also graced by Kamal Kishore, Chair of the working group and Member Secretary of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Dr Pawar urged that financing disaster risk reduction is an investment in our future. It is an investment in the safety, health and well-being of our communities, the sustainability of our economies, and the preservation of our environment. She said that governments, international organizations and the private sector need to collaborate and explore new ways to mobilize funding.
She further stated that the world has been lagging in achieving the disaster risk reduction targets laid down in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The global economic growth has been commendable in the last 2-3 decades, but funding for reducing the associated disaster risks has been inadequate, she said.
