Why disaster risk reduction impacts everyone

The launch of the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR), held at the SMX Convention Center Manila, had two paramount takeaways. One was to announce that in a year’s time, the Philippines would be hosting the 2024 APMCDRR. The second was to impress on the public that DRR is a social issue and an emotional one, as much as it has to do with the natural sciences or the weather.

 (L-R): Climate Change Commission Vice Chair Robert Borje, Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Constance See Sin Yuan, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum, United Nations (UN) Disaster Risk Reduction Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Chief Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzales, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Peter Kell, and Norwegian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Geir Michalsen

From Mami Mizutori, United Nations (UN) Head for Disaster Risk Reduction, to Secretaries Toni Yulo-Loyzaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Gilbert Teodoro of the Department of National Defense, and on to Senator Loren Legarda, the recurring theme was that DRR affects lives at the most basic of social levels, the community and barangay - and that DRR was about saving lives, and preserving resources. It’s about anticipating and avoiding/reducing consequences, so that when the inevitable disaster strikes, its effects are mitigated. The private sector, as led by Hans Sy of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPHI), echoed this overriding sentiment. 

United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga

Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro

In her keynote address in the afternoon session, Ms. Mizutori, commented on how important it was to have the private sector working hand in hand on DRR, stressing that collaboration and coordination can be enhanced when all parties are committed and involved - from the national government to the local government units, to private businesses, and at the community level. She cited Mr. Sy and SMPHI for how they’re ‘in the business of resilience,’ how it’s ingrained in the corporate DNA, and has been for years now.

The observation was made that, while on the surface, DRR was about data and hard sciences, it had to be simplified and integrated at the local level to make sense in reality and assume the role of also being a social issue. From the financing aspect to the localization aspect (whether in a rural or urban setting), and on to the innovation/research aspect, one has to be solution-minded and be thinking of scale so it can impact favorably on the greatest number of people. It did not escape the participants at the event that the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters and catastrophes - punctuated by how, as Secretary Loyzaga spoke, several phones went on alert mode to warn of the Batangas earthquake earlier that morning and of the aftershocks that may still affect Metro Manila. 

(L-R): United Nations (UN) Disaster Risk Reduction Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Chief Marco Toscano-Rivalta, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy, Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum, and DMCI Holdings, Inc. Chairman Isidro Consunji

Beyond the rhetoric of sustainability, one has to recognize will power and determination. The rationale and fundamental issues of DRR may remain constant, but the effort and mechanisms are in constant flux, revised as technology and innovation come into play. Beyond climate change, we also need to talk of climate justice - how the most vulnerable and direly affected often have the smallest of voices and resources. To offset this inescapable fact requires vigilance and renewed commitment. 

With science guiding, risks must be assessed and proactive management and resilient information and systems brought into the forefront. When proper and effective anticipation is achieved, there’s less need to spend on subsequent relief efforts, less lives lost, disruptions minimized. With global cooperation, a sharing of technology, of innovation and research can be maximized, and its regional conferences such as what will transpire next year that can help boost this cooperation in a united manner. 

The 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) is set to be held in Manila from October 14 to 17, 2024.

The role of women in DRR was recognized in the afternoon session. The 2023 Women's International Network (WIN) for DRR Leadership Awards celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of women in the Asia-Pacific region in the field of DRR. This program is an integral component of the innovative WIN DRR initiative, supported by the Australian government.

The awards are presented in two distinct categories: the prestigious Excellence Award, sponsored by SMPHI, and the promising Rising Star Award. SMPHI endorsed the 2023 WIN DRR Excellence Award, presenting a substantial prize of USD 10,000 to honor an exceptional woman excelling in the realm of DRR.

This year, Shaila Shahid from Bangladesh received the esteemed 2023 WIN DRR Excellence Award. Her exceptional contributions to DRR have left a profound impact, resonating not only in Bangladesh but also across the Asia-Pacific region.

Abia Akram from Pakistan, a committed champion for the rights of women with disabilities for more than 25 years, was honored with the 2023 WIN DRR Rising Star Award.

Shaila Shahid from Bangladesh is an environmental lawyer working globally to reduce the disaster risks for the urban poor.

Abia Akram from Pakistan is a disability rights activist, known for founding the National Forum of Women with Disabilities in Pakistan.

The 2023 Women’s International Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) Excellence Awardee Shaila Shahid (2nd from left), and Rising Star Awardee Abia Akram (3rd from left, front), are joined by other awards finalists.

DRR should not be seen as a hard science concept, one that only happens at national and corporate levels. DRR is ultimately about people, about you, me, and the people we know. SMPHI recognizes this and makes it part of their daily mission, an integral part of how it interacts with the communities wherever SM is found.