Virtual campaign “Toward Resilience in Disasters”

Coinciding with the World Disaster Risk Reduction Day, a virtual campaign “Toward Resilience in Disasters” will be held by a group of students and health experts in disasters and emergencies under the leadership of Dr. Arezoo Dehghani in Iran.

The purpose of the virtual campaign towards resilience in disasters is to increase public awareness in the field of reducing the risk of disasters and increasing resilience, improving community engagement and attracting the participation of politicians and health executives in disasters management (internal and external).

This campaign will be held virtually from October 21 to 28 with the release of educational and awareness-raising podcasts and videos, interviews and information in online mass media, etc.

In this campaign, several universities and research centers and non-governmental scientific and executive organizations in the field of health participate.

Arezoo Dehghani, a specialist in health in disaster and emergencies at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, in an interview with Mehr reporter, said that in the past decades, natural hazards have caused a lot of economic damage and loss of life to the country: according to the report of the United Nations Office And based on current climate projections, by 2030, the world will face about 560 hazards per year, which will add 37.6 million people to people living in extreme poverty due to the effects of climate change and natural disasters. In the "worst case scenario" by 2030, climate change and disasters will push 100.7 million people into poverty.
she added: With the increase in the frequency and severity of risks, societies and countries need to increase preparedness, early warning systems, and focus on vulnerable groups, that's why the slogan of World Disaster Risk Reduction Day was to deal with inequality for a resilient future.

Dehghani continued: In 1989, the United Nations General Assembly designated13 th October as the World Day for Disaster Risk Reduction to promote global culture, increase community preparedness, raise public awareness, and encourage and disseminate countries' progress in this field. Inequality and vulnerability to disasters are self-inflicted cycles.

This health expert in disasters and emergencies said: that poverty and social and economic inequalities will increase the vulnerability of societies against disasters, and on the other hand, disasters will lead to damage to the place of residence and the economic conditions of the society. The effects of accidents and disasters exacerbate inequalities and push people who are more at risk towards poverty.

She added: The global assessment report on disaster risk reduction showed that among the 20 vulnerable countries, 90% are middle and low-income countries with an average national poverty rate of 34%. The United Nations report shows that from 1970 to 2019, 91% of deaths due to weather events, and climate change occurred in developing countries and 82% of deaths due to disasters occurred in low- and lower-middle-income countries. it happens. People with low income are more likely to live in low-security housing and cannot afford to take measures to secure their homes.

With the title of this article that poverty will lead to the occurrence of aggravated consequences of accidents and disasters, Dehghani said: that poverty is both the cause and consequence of the danger of disasters. On the other hand, some groups of society are called vulnerable, which include pregnant women, children, the elderly, and the disabled. These vulnerable groups are more affected when disasters occur, and on the other hand, they will be less adaptable due to the new conditions. Also, in most countries, women earn less than men in the same job, which leads to poverty and greater vulnerability. 

She emphasized that it is clear that addressing inequality is a key part of reducing disaster risk and building a resilient future.Reducing the risk of disasters requires the participation of all society. This requires inclusive empowerment and participation, accessible services, and non-discriminatory service delivery, with special attention to those who are disproportionately affected by disasters, especially the poorest.

Dehghani continued: Gender, age, disability, and cultural perspective should be integrated into all policies and practices and the provision of services for women and youth should be promoted. All members of the society are effective in disaster risk management and resilience and should be trained and cultured appropriately for collective participation.

She added: In this regard, at the same time as the World Disaster Risk Reduction Day, a virtual campaign "Toward Resilience in Disasters" is being held by a group of students and health experts in disasters and emergencies in the country from 21 to 28 October.

Dehghani said: The purpose of the virtual campaign towards resilience in disasters is to increase public awareness in the field of reducing the risk of disasters and increasing resilience, promoting social participation, and attracting the participation of politicians and health executives in disasters management (internal and external).