Message by
H.E. MR. HARRI HOLKERI
President of the General Assembly
International Day for
Natural Disaster Reduction
11 October 2000
Nearly every day we learn through the media of natural calamities taking place
in various corners of the world. Extreme natural events can cause severe setbacks
to the development of entire nations, and have ramifications not only for their
economic and social life, but also irreversibly on their environment.
That is why, on this International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction, I want
to congratulate the United Nations Secretariat of the International Strategy
for Disaster Reduction, for their valuable work and for launching in August
this year the United Nations 2000 World Disaster Reduction Campaign.
The focus of this Campaign on disaster prevention, education and youth, is a
very timely and far-sighted one. Youth beholds our future, and by promoting
the culture of prevention among youth, through education and advocacy, we are
investing in our future.
There is mounting scientific evidence that the frequency and severity of various
natural disasters have increased during the last couple of decades. Therefore,
we need better preparedness in all communities to reduce economic and human
losses. I wish to acknowledge the work of the United Nations in advocating the
need for better prevention against natural disasters and for educating decision-makers
and communities.
Our common goal, is to prevent natural hazards - natural phenomenon we cannot
prevent - from becoming natural disasters. In this work youth, indeed, represent
allies for our future.