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Yokohama Strategy for a Safer World

The World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction, which took place in Yokohama, Japan, from May 23 to May 27, 1994, produced this document. It offers recommendations for preventing, preparing for, and mitigating natural disasters. The foundational ideas for a disaster reduction plan are discussed in Part I. A plan of action approved by all United Nations members is contained in Part II. Guidelines for the next steps are provided in Part III.

  • The United Nations and other States held the World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction at Yokohama, Japan, in 1994.
  • It was at this conference that the Yokohama strategy was adopted, and the 1990-2000 decade was proclaimed the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR).
  • The guidelines for Natural Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, and Mitigation are part of the Yokohama Strategy.
  • The Yokohama Strategy calls for accelerated implementation of a plan of action to be developed from the following
    • The development of a global culture of prevention is an essential Integral part of disaster reduction.
    • Adopting a policy of self-reliance covering capacity building, resource allocation, and efficient use in each vulnerable country and community.
    • Preparation and mitigation of disasters through education and training.
    • In order to reduce disaster risk and mitigate its effects, research and development institutions need to develop and strengthen their human resources, material capabilities, and capacity.
    • A network of existing centers of excellence is to be identified, so that disaster prevention, reduction, and mitigation activities can be improved.
    • A people-centred approach to disaster reduction, prevention, and preparedness that improves risk management.
    • A more comprehensive risk assessment and monitoring of forecasts and warnings.
    • Legislation and administrative actions at the national level are effective, with higher priority at the level of political decision-making.

Disaster ocuurrence frequency has increased and so is the neeed to mitigate the impact. The strategy on disaster should be preventive rathe than curative.Â