EU marks world disaster risk reduction day in Cambodia

via CAAI

October 13, 2010

To mark this year's World Disaster Risk Reduction, the European Union is supporting the organization of several events under the theme "Making Resilient Cities -- My City is Getting Ready", according to a statement released by EU office in Cambodia.

The events aim to enhance community awareness about disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, and especially to integrate them into Cambodia's development agenda.

"Disaster preparedness saves lives" stated Michelle Labeeu, the Charg d' Affaires a.i. of the European Union Delegation to Cambodia. "The European Union significantly contributes to global disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation efforts by supporting communities to better prepare themselves against natural disasters, " he said.

To enhance Disaster Risk Reduction measures in Cambodia, the European Union has this year signed contracts for projects worth over 2 million euros.

The funding is being made available through the European Commission's 7th Action Plan for Disaster Preparedness, launched in February 2010 with 10 million Euros available for South East Asia.

In addition, the European Union Delegation in partnership with two EU Member States (Sweden and Denmark) has supported the establishment of the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance (CCCA) which will valorize Disaster Risk Reduction good practices for climate change adaptation measures and provided some 4 million euros to Cambodia.

As another commitment to the Disaster Risk Reduction agenda, the European Union's 2 million euros relief assistance provided to populations affected by the devastating 2009 Typhoon season included disaster preparedness activities.

The EU through its Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) has since 1998 contributed some 10 million euros to ten international partners and local NGOs to run 33 disaster preparedness projects.

With the new funding singed in early this year will go to support the new projects implemented in nine provinces that will contribute to the capacity building of Disaster Management Committees and the Cambodian Red Cross at all levels.

At the same time, the projects will focus on public information campaigns, continued testing of local early warning systems for drought and floods, integration of disaster risk reduction into the health, education and agricultural sectors, as well as into local planning.

During this cycle, partners will join efforts for improved standardized approaches and training systems, coordination mechanisms at provincial level and impact assessment of previous work.

Source: Xinhua