MANILA, 10 December 2008 – In view of the frequent occurrence and socioeconomic impact of disasters in the Asia Pacific region, ministers involved in planning, disaster management and civil defense have signed a declaration to keep health facilities safe from disasters.
The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia seeks to keep health facilities safe from disasters by intensifying efforts in advocacy; mobilizing resources to ensure safe building structures and medical equipment and facilities; and providing technical support in essential areas of disaster management, such as contingency plans and preparedness activities.
The Declaration, prepared during the Third Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kuala Lumpur this month, called on Asian countries to:
- foster public-private partnerships
- utilize high technology and scientific application to disaster risk reduction including climate change adaptation
- involve and empower local governments and civil society
- mobilize resources for structural and non-structural components of safe health facilities
- engage the media and
- maximize public awareness and education for disaster risk reduction.
The Declaration is a reaffirmation of the Hyogo Framework for Action signed by Member States of the United Nations to support disaster risk reduction from 2005 to 2015.
“A country can effectively improve its disaster reduction capabilities by applying information and know-how developed by other countries through the exchange of ideas and practices," said Dato’ Mohammad Hatta Ab. Aziz, chairman of the Third Conference. "Our awareness and the political commitment at the highest level of government will be the catalyst of turning good intention to well resourced and sustained actions.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a special session on the Global Safe Hospitals Campaign during the Ministerial Conference. Speakers presented activities and experiences from Nepal, the Philippines and the Asia Pacific region.