The International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR), initiated by the UN General Assembly in 1987, recognized that disasters are not just isolated events but are often linked to a lack of development and poor planning. Instead of simply reacting to disasters after they occur, the IDNDR promoted a proactive approach.
The core idea was that by making disaster prevention a fundamental part of a country's development strategy, nations could build more resilient societies. This included:
Risk-informed investment: Ensuring that new infrastructure projects, such as schools, hospitals, and bridges, were built to withstand natural hazards.
Land-use planning: Discouraging construction in high-risk zones like floodplains or landslide-prone areas.
Public awareness and education: Making disaster preparedness a normal part of life, rather than just an emergency measure.
By connecting disaster risk reduction to long-term development, the IDNDR aimed to reduce vulnerabilities and minimize the human and economic costs of natural disasters. This approach laid the foundation for modern disaster risk reduction frameworks, like the Hyogo Framework for Action and the Sendai Framework.
