“When disaster strikes, hospitals are the most critical infrastructure. They represent — quite literally — the lifeblood of a community. If hospitals are severely damaged, efforts to save lives are seriously impeded. With weather-related disasters on the increase, it is critical to ensure that health facilities are prepared for emergencies and able to provide lifesaving care in their wake.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message for the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction
14 October 2009
Rescue teams in Pamoyanan Village,West Java, Indonesia, one day after a powerful earthquake struck Java island on 2 September 2009. Photo: Jefri Aries/IRIN.
The International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction 2009 takes place within the framework of the World Disaster Reduction Campaign 2008–2009. The theme of the Campaign is “Hospitals Safe from Disasters: Reduce Risk, Protect Health Facilities, Save Lives”.
By resolution 44/236 (22 December 1989), the General Assembly designated the second Wednesday of October International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction. The International Day was to be observed annually during the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, 1990-1999.
In 2001, the General Assembly decided to maintain the observance of the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction on the second Wednesday of October (resolution 56/195 of 21 December), as a vehicle to promote a global culture of natural disaster reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.