Summary:
Disasters are an integral part of human history and evolution. Historically,
humanity in its struggle for survival and prosperity tries to protect from and
deal effectively with various risks and the consequences of disasters. Mankind’
s knowledge on risks and disaster impacts has enriched and improved. Since the
mid-20th century, the idea of reducing disaster and subsequently reducing
disaster risk (Disaster Risk Reduction - DRR) has turned into a strategy for
humanity. Along with progress in the humanitarian field and the protection of
Human Rights, the culture of reducing disaster risk through the concepts of
addressing community vulnerability and resilience has become a global priority
in all areas, including the health sector.
The «Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of
Nations and Communities to Disasters» (HFA) is therefore a reference point on
the efforts towards reducing disaster risk at international, regional and local
level. The implementation of the HFA through the actions of the United Nations,
the EU, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and other
international and regional organizations and countries has proved effective in
many ways in achieving the framework’s objectives. However, significant
barriers in its implementation still remain In an ever evolving socio-economic
environment under the continuous threat of climate change and through
globalization, existing risks keep changing while new risks emerge.
Thus, despite the progress noted economic losses and the number of
people affected by disasters is increasing, in particular as regards disaster
mortality, highlighting important issues such as the need to address underlying
risk factors that may be hidden within the development model Equally important
is the need for an holistic strategy for an integrated approach in disaster
risk reduction, adaptation to climate change and achieving the international
development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Ongoing
consultations between all stakeholders and the newest scientific and
technological advances in risk mapping, risk analysis and information flow are
employed to achieve the target. In the Public health domain efforts and
solidarity among people and nations are intensified towards disaster impact
mitigation, and victims care and relief, through the actions of the UN, the EU,
the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and many NGOs. Greece, invests
gradually in disaster risk reduction facing its own problems. The imminent
completion of national risk analysis and mapping by the use of advanced
technologies and the enhancement of the Hellenic National Platform on disaster
risk reduction form the basis for the future.
Keywords:
Risk, Disasters, Risk reduction, Crisis management, Health
