Call for contributions - Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Indian Ocean 13th of October 2022

Conference presentation

October 13, the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), is an opportunity to highlight progress made in reducing disaster risk and loss of life, livelihoods and health. The 2022 edition of this international day focuses on the objective: “Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by 2030”. This is the seventh and final target of the Sendai Framework.

The PIROI proposes to organize, with the collaboration of its Reunionese partners, a symposium dedicated to disaster risk reduction (DRR) on the occasion of the IDDRR 2022.

This symposium is a continuation of the DRR projects (Paré pas Paré and associated projects) implemented by PIROI in Reunion island. The aim is to promote a culture of risk including aspects of prevention, mitigation and preparation. The intensification and complexity of disasters linked in particular to climate change, make this acculturation to the notion of risk all the more urgent and necessary.

In this perspective, it seems natural to PIROI to turn to the expertise of the members of the steering committee of the Paré pas Paré project and associated projects to question access to information on disaster risks and early warning systems for populations in the South West Indian Ocean region.

This theme can only be dealt with satisfactorily and scientifically if it is discussed beyond the sole circle of humanitarian and development experts in DRR. Researchers, meteorologists, anthropologists and other civil society actors have a full vocation to be associated with the reflection, so that the perspectives of each can be exposed, compared and so that the experience and knowledge of some enrich those of others.

The proposed symposium aims to outline common proposals, combining field experience and practice in DRR, to the following question:

What solutions to improve access to information on disaster risks and warning systems for populations?

The southwestern area of the Indian Ocean will be at the heart of the debates here.

Call for contributions

As part of the organization of this symposium, the PIROI is looking for speakers to contribute to the round tables.

Three priority topics for round tables have been identified:

1. Overview of warning systems in the South West Indian Ocean area

Examples of contribution (not exhaustive):

• Tsunami early warning systems (EWS) in the region - Mayotte, Seychelles, Mauritius
• Testimonials or debates or exchanges on the impact of the alert system on the continuity of activities (social action, public service, etc.)
• A documentary extract or testimony

2. Early warning systems: what are the challenges and existing solutions?

Examples of contribution (not exhaustive):

• The challenges of risk communication in prevention systems
• Issues of protection, gender and inclusion in DRR
• National practices and people-centered early warning
• The integration of indigenous knowledge in DRR education, policies, programs and projects
• Impact-based forecasting for early warning and early action

3. Innovative solutions and practices:

Examples of contribution (not exhaustive):

• Digital in the prevention of natural risks
• National or regional initiatives on risks and early warning systems

To respond to the call for contributions, please send your topic proposal to: piroi.assist-rrc@croix-rouge.fr , indicating to which round table you want to contribute with your research or intervention.

Deadline for sending contribution proposals: July 15, 2022 at midnight.