Bhutan

International Day for Disaster Reduction

Opening Address by Claire Van der Vaeren
UN Resident Coordinator
International Day for Disaster Reduction

Honorable Minister of Works and Human Settlement, Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba;
Honorable Secretary, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, Dasho Penden Wangchuk;
Dashos;
Distinguished Guests;
Representatives of the Donor Community and UN Colleagues; Teachers and Students;
Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is an honor to be here this morning to participate in the celebration of the International Day for Disaster Reduction. This day gives us an opportunity to pay tribute to those effected by natural disasters all over the world, and to pause and reflect on what we can do, and must do, to reduce their impact on people’s lives.

The observance of the International Day for Disaster Reduction this year takes place at a time when Bhutan has seen more than its fair share of natural calamities. With the casualties and damages of the 21 September earthquake; the windstorms immediately after; the disastrous fire in Wamrong town last week; and the flooding and mud slides caused by cyclone Aila in May, there is indeed cause to reflect on the lessons we have learned and how to go forward.

At the outset, I would like to commend Bhutan for its efforts to address immediate emergency needs after the earthquake through the combined response of the Dzongkhags, Gyalpoi Zimpon’s (Lord Chamberlin) Office and the army.

The compassionate attention of H.M. the King to the suffering of the people affected and the personal attention H.E. the Prime Minister have provided guidance and hope. The personal engagement of H.E. the Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs, who has been in the affected area for several weeks, of the Hon’ble Home Secretary and the dedication of all staff from the Department of Disaster Management must also be commended. They have been instrumental in ensuring that the affected people, who have lost their homes and loved ones, have received support and have not been left alone. In fact, the whole nation has shown support to the victims: As we speak, help both in cash and kind is flowing in from people across the country, including our young students who are volunteering to help those in need. This form of support is indeed a strength that Bhutan can nurture for the future.

As the UN Resident Coordinator, I too had the opportunity to visit the affected areas together with the World Bank Representative to Bhutan and colleagues from the Government, the UN and the World Bank, who were conducting a joint needs assessment. I was touched by the precarious situation of the families we met, but also encouraged to see how people are trying to help themselves when they can. The outcome of the needs assessment will inform the plans for early recovery and reconstruction and for the assistance of development partners. It will also serve to recommend measures to strengthen the capacity of the Government to manage natural disasters in the future. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support of my colleagues in the UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes and the World Bank in responding to the immediate needs, particularly for shelter, following the earthquake.

The calamities this year have reminded us that no place in the world is immune from natural disasters. We cannot stop natural calamities, but we can and must better equip individuals and communities to withstand them. The theme chosen for this Day – “Safer Community – Hospital, School and House of My Dream” – is therefore particularly relevant given the numerous disasters that have struck this year, not only Bhutan but also many other countries in the Asia Pacific region.

Those most vulnerable to nature’s wrath are usually the poorest. In fact, it can be argued that Bhutan’s significant achievements towards realizing the Millennium Development Goals, including reducing poverty, will be set at risk if we do not employ measures to prevent and reduce the consequences of natural calamities. This link between the Millennium Development Goals is emphasized by the UN Secretary-General who has stated that, “we must accelerate national and international efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and incorporate disaster risk reduction needs as a key plank of the development agenda”.

It is therefore laudable that after having adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action, which aims to reduce our collective vulnerability to natural hazards, the Government of Bhutan is working actively towards implementing the National Disaster Risk Management Framework. The recent events have highlighted the importance of stepping up these efforts. It is well within our command to do so: Better decision making, improved planning, effective risk management, enhanced awareness programmes, adherence to improved building codes; these are among the measures that can reduce vulnerability of our societies. The commitment of the Government, including the support from the highest level is indeed a call for us all as individuals and as members of our respective organizations to build on the existing mechanisms for disaster preparedness and response, and to help strengthen them.

When we speak of the threat of natural disaster, we must also make a mention of climate-change related risk. It is not a distant threat but a very imminent one which has already begun to unfold and is posing an unprecedented challenge to humankind today. The wide- ranging impacts of climate change risk undermining the very survival and sustainability of our development paradigm. I take this opportunity to also commend the Royal Government of Bhutan’s efforts on climate change adaptation and mitigation, in particular, the efforts to lower the Thorthormi lake level and protect downstream population from glacial lake outburst floods. We must redouble our efforts to ensure that early warning and other preparedness systems are fully in place.

In concluding, I would like to reiterate the UN’s commitment to assist Bhutan prevent and mitigate natural disasters through sustainable capacity building and sector-specific work. Disaster risk management is high on the agenda of the UN system in Bhutan, being one of the five priority areas of our joint support to the implementation of the Tenth Five-year Plan.

And to all the students gathered here -I am confident that you will carry forward the messages you will hear today about creating safer communities to your families, friends and relatives.

Thank you and Tashi Delek.