Beyond their practical importance, hospitals and health facilities have a unique value as symbols of public well-being. Making them safe from disasters is essential, states the UN Secretary-General’s message on the occasion of the International Day for

14.10.2009

“Beyond their practical importance, hospitals and health facilities have a unique value as symbols of public well-being. Making them safe from disasters is essential,” states the UN Secretary-General’s message on the occasion of the International Day for Disaster Reduction marked the second Wednesday of October since 1989.

This year the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, along with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, marks the International Day for Disaster Reduction by highlighting the 2008-09 World Disaster Reduction Campaign dedicated to Hospitals Safe from Disasters.

In Armenia, the International Day for Disaster Reduction was marked at the Crisis Management State Academy with participation of Ms. Bushra Halepota, UN Resident Coordinator a.i., Mher Shahgeldyan, Minister of Emergency Situations, and Ms. Irina Papieva, WHO Representative a.i. in Armenia. Representatives of international community and relevant national institutions were also present at the event.

“It is well-known that we cannot stop natural events of happening. But we can prevent natural events from becoming natural disasters. With better planning, better building and construction norms, better communication, preparedness and response capacities, natural events will take place but people could be safe from harm, houses, hospitals and other emergency facilities will stand, livelihoods will be protected. If there are no losses – there is no disaster, and it is only a natural event,” said Ms. Bushra Halepota, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. Acknowledging that disaster damage results in human and economic losses, she urged to include “safe hospitals” programmes in country’s development agenda, endorse relevant legislation and carry out safety assessments of health facilities.

Within the framework of the International Day for Disaster Reduction, UNDP in Armenia presented findings of the impact survey and lessons learned study of the Local Level Risk Management pilot module implemented in Ararat region of Armenia. The study was implemented by the Republican Association of Communities of Armenia from August till September 2009. The main objective of the survey was to assess the effectiveness of the complex approach to manage disaster risks at community level, identify lessons learned and advice on options for similar projects in the future.

The pilot module included elaboration of disaster risk profile for Ararat region, assessment of communities’ vulnerabilities and capacities to disasters, training of local communities and authorities on disaster risk reduction, public awareness activities and small-scale disaster mitigation projects, such as clean-up of water drainage systems and strengthening of embankments.

UNDP in Armenia, together with the Rescue Service under the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and in close cooperation with the Ministry of Territorial Administration, is carrying out activities to support national efforts for the establishment of the disaster preparedness and risk reduction systems.

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