Latest news with #disasterriskreduction
RNZ News
12-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Palau's president says new index should be used to classify economic position
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr held a bilateral meeting with Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Photo: Office of the President - Republic of Palau/Facebook Palau's president says the country is sometimes classified as a high-income nation based on its gross domestic product (GDP) - something he called a "pressing injustice". Surangel Whipps Jr delivered an address at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, Switzerland, last week. Whipps said this classification ignored a "deeper truth". "Many of our people live in income poverty," he said. And climate disasters pushed them deeper into that, Whipps said. "We face profound socioeconomic vulnerability and we cannot let GDP alone determine our eligibility for support." Preliminary scores on the UN's multidimensional vulnerability index. Photo: UN screenshot He said the UN's multidimensional vulnerability index (MVI) should be used to "ensure a more just and accurate measure of our economic reality". The United Nations is working with small island developing states (SIDS) on the development and implementation of an MVI. The UN said most SIDS are not the poorest nations, but their costs are so much greater - and accessing financing is more difficult. "A multidimensional vulnerability index has the potential to ensure truly inclusive sustainable development," it said. "These small island nations have repeatedly said that traditional measures of development insufficiently capture their vulnerabilities. "When it comes to financing, debt relief and aid, the use of unsuitable, outdated, simplistic [gross national income] measurements unfairly lock out SIDS from accessing the help they need." Whipps also spoke on climate impacts in his nation, and said the dialogue's theme - 'Everyday counts - act for resilience today' - "resonates deeply with us in Palau".
Malay Mail
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Zahid: Malaysia pledges stronger disaster preparedness in education sector, RM135m allocated to build relief centres for high-risk schools
KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the resilience of its education system to disasters through the launch of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030, which aligns with the United Nations' Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he conveyed the message during a Ministerial Roundtable themed 'Safe Schools' at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva today. 'This policy focuses on comprehensive risk reduction across all sectors, including the safety and continuity of education,' he said in a statement. According to Ahmad Zahid, one of the key initiatives highlighted was the development of the Disaster Risk Reduction Education Module by the Ministry of Education, UNICEF Malaysia and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), which will benefit nearly 7,800 primary schools nationwide. He said the module emphasises experiential learning, hands-on training and active student engagement in line with the Asean Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response framework. To ensure comprehensive implementation, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia is also exploring strategic collaborations with non-governmental organisations, private companies and government-linked companies. 'At the same time, NADMA's Community-Based Disaster Risk Management programme successfully engaged nearly 44,000 Malaysians, including over 12,000 youths, over the past year,' he added. He also shared Malaysia's initiative to build Permanent Relief Centres in high-risk school areas, with a federal government allocation of RM135 million. These centres will function as shelters during disasters and serve as community learning hubs during normal times. 'Malaysia has also expressed its readiness to share expertise and foster cross-border collaboration in strengthening global school safety. 'We believe that investing in resilience today is the best protection for our children's future,' he said, while leading the Malaysian delegation to the Eighth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva. — Bernama
Malay Mail
04-06-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Zahid heads to Geneva for UN disaster summit
KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is leading Malaysia's delegation to the Eighth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) in Geneva on June 4 and 5. The Foreign Ministry (MOFA), in a statement today, said Ahmad Zahid is accompanied by senior officials from MOFA, the Deputy Prime Minister's Office and the National Disaster Management Agency. 'The Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver Malaysia's National Statement at the eighth GPDRR. He will be speaking at a ministerial roundtable session on the topic of 'Safe Schools Now: Protecting Every Child from Disaster and Climate Risk',' it said. 'The Deputy Prime Minister will reiterate Malaysia's continued commitment to disaster management through the launch of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy, the implementation of the Safe School Programme and the Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Programme as well as through the introduction of a Disaster Risk Reduction education programme,' it added. While in Geneva, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, is also scheduled to meet the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Kamal Kishore. 'The meeting is aimed at exploring potential areas of collaboration between Malaysia and international partners on disaster risk management,' according to the statement. The GPDRR is a platform for assessing progress made by United Nations member states on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. Malaysia is a pioneer member of this network and remains unwavering in its commitment to managing and pre-empting disasters in line with the 2030 National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy. — Bernama
