Vice Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win addresses International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024
NAY PYI TAW October 13
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024 was observed at MICC-1 here this morning, addressed by Chairman of National Disaster Management Committee Vice Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win.
Also present were vice chairs of the management committee and member union ministers, senior military officers, deputy ministers, chairs of organizations and associations, heads of department, officials, officials of UN and local and foreign NGOs and prize-winner students and invited guests.
In his address, the Vice-Senior General said with the aim of enhancing the disaster resilience of the new generation this year, the IDDRR 2024 was held with the theme “Empowering the next generation for a resilient future”.
Today’s world population stands at 8.2-billion and according to estimation it will reach 10.3 billion in mid-2080. The Global Climate Report for 2023 said global temperature is more than 1.45 degree Celsius higher in 2023 than the time before the industrial age (1850-1900). Survey reports indicate that 2023 is the hottest year in 174 years of history.
As regards forest depletion, the main element of climate change, the UNFAO-released reports indicate that between 2010 and 2020, the average annual loss in trees is over 10 million during the ten years from 2010 to 2020.
Many basic causes including increase in global population alongside the extension of vocational activities, a rise in global temperatures, climate change, forest depletion, the number of natural disasters rises year by year and their negative impacts have become worse.
As the number of disasters increases, the possible risk of global nations from them is also surveyed. The World Risk Index 2023 analyzed the possible risk of 193 countries. The countries with the highest disaster risk worldwide are: the Philippines (WRI 46.8), Indonesia (WRI 43.50), and India (WRI 41.52). Myanmar is at sixth place with WRI 36.26. So, Myanmar must always be aware of disaster risk reduction activities.
Severe floods occurred in Pakistan, China, India, Korea and some other Asian countries and Europe in 2024 are seen as a symbol of global climate change. In 2023, the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) recorded a total of 399 disasters related to natural hazards; these events resulted in 86,473 fatalities and affected 93.1 million people; and the economic losses amounted to US$-202.7 billion.
According to World Risk Report 2023, Africa is the continent with the highest vulnerability; the Americas is the continent with the highest disaster risk, and it is followed by Asia, Africa, Oceania, and Europe.
Majority of world countries Vice Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win addresses International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024 are experiencing storms, floods, gales, and earthquakes and Myanmar also faced cyclone Mocha in May 2023. Thanks to excellent preparations the human fatality rate was much lower when compared to that of cyclone Nargis. Due to the guidance of the Head of State and harmonious efforts of disaster management committees at national and region/state/ township levels rehabilitation in disasterhit areas could be carried with high momentum in a very short period.
In September 2024, Typhoon Yagi caused record-breaking rainfall in the South China Sea, leading to severe flooding in Myanmar’s central region, the likes of which had not been experienced in over 80 or even 100 years.
The intense rainfall resulted in flash floods, with water flowing rapidly and carrying along trees, logs, boulders, and sediment, causing widespread flooding in nine states and regions. Over 80,000 households, nearly 1 million people, were affected by the floods, with 520 reported dead or missing.
Additionally, more than 180,000 livestock perished, over 700,000 acres of crops were damaged, and infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, electricity, and communications systems were significantly affected.
The government, along with the public, quickly mobilized search, rescue, emergency response, and relief efforts. International and domestic donors from friendly nations also contributed generously to the relief and recovery efforts. Donations from individuals, organizations, and associations have poured in, amounting to over Ks-52 billion in three major national fundraising drives.
This generosity reflects the unity and compassion of the Myanmar people, who, despite peacefully pursuing their livelihoods in normal times, come together with great solidarity and compassion in times of national crisis.
This spirit of unity and cooperation has been demonstrated not only in this instance but throughout Myanmar’s history whenever the country faced adversity, and it is a core aspect of the Myanmar people’s character.
For the families of those who lost their lives, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement, along with the National Disaster Management Fund and regional disaster funds, have provided support, including an average of Ks-1 million per person to affected families. For homes that were damaged or destroyed, assistance will also be provided based on the extent of the damage, and preparations are being made to deliver this support soon.
Similarly, for livelihood recovery, appropriate assistance and interest-free or low-interest loans have been planned, and funds from the National Disaster Management Fund are being allocated. Additionally, under the instruction of the head of state, responsible officials are overseeing the restoration of roads and bridges, ensuring that transportation routes are reopened as quickly as possible.
No country, regardless of its wealth or level of development, can prevent or fully mitigate the effects of natural disasters.
Therefore, steps must be taken to reduce the damage and losses when such disasters occur. In this regard, it is essential to anticipate and prepare for potential losses in all sectors. The National Disaster Management Committee is working with local experts who have vast experience in disaster management to develop hazard maps and risk maps.
They are also incorporating lessons learned from the 2015 Myittha River floods in Kalay Township, and post-flood and landslide needs assessments into their efforts.
Reducing the impact of natural disasters requires financial and human resources in certain sectors, while in others, it is possible to use the resources already available effectively.
One invaluable resource that cannot be quantified is Myanmar’s strong and capable youth population.
Globally, there are 1.2 billion young people, representing 16 percent of the world’s population.
According to Myanmar’s 2019 interim census, there are over 16.8 million young people, comprising 33 percent of the country’s population. A UNICEF report found that 1 billion children worldwide are at extreme risk from the adverse effects of climate change and related natural disasters, with approximately 27 million children affected by floods and flood-related hazards.
To reduce the impacts of disasters on children, national and regional disaster risk reduction strategies have been adopted.
It is necessary to implement them in accordance with Sendai Disaster Risk Reduction Framework 2015-2030 and promote a culture of disaster preparedness involving all youths.
In enhancing the capacities of youths and children through education, it is also necessary to create a safe and inclusive learning environment, to build disaster-resistant schools and to include lessons for disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate. It is also imperative to consistently raise disaster awareness among new generation youths and children and to build many disaster-resistant schools to prevent disruption of education due to natural disasters.
It is also important to develop measures for disaster risk prevention exercises and promote disaster risk reduction cartoons, stories, music, films, exhibition, competitions and training programs.
Special representative for disaster risk reduction of the UN secretary-general and head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Mr. Karmal Kishore has urged countries to teach lessons about natural disasters to school-aged children and higher education students.
The foundation of disaster risk reduction lies in disaster preparedness, risk reduction and awareness-raising. It is necessary for all to understand that future generation youths and the public play an important role in disaster response and risk reduction and to cooperate in the efforts. It is vital to nurture correct knowledge and habits about natural disasters in order to adapt to climate change, to effectively take preventive and awareness-raising measures by understanding and abiding dos and don'ts during natural disasters as they can occur at any time anywhere.
In conclusion, the Vice-Senior General urged the public to cooperate in the efforts to effectively reduce disaster risks and to build a disaster-resistant, peaceful, sustainably developed and better future by enhancing the capacities of new generations.
Then, Vice Chairman (2) of the National Disaster Management Committee Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Soe Win reported to the Vice-Senior General on measures taken for natural disaster management.
Afterward, the video message sent by special representative for disaster risk reduction of the UN secretary-general and head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Mr. Karmal Kishore and video clips depicting activities for disaster risk reduction were screened.
Then, staff of the Disaster Management Department of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement presented the musical titled "The Strength of New Generation to Resist Natural Disasters."
Afterward, the Vice-Senior General presented honorary medals, certificates and cash rewards to winners of the professional level article competition commemorating the International Day for Disaster Reduction (2024).
Then, Member of the SAC Union Minister General Mya Tun Oo, vice chairmen of the National Disaster Management Committee Lt-Gen Yar Pyae and Union Minister Dr Soe Win presented honorary medals, certificates and cash rewards to prize winning students in the universitylevel art competition and high school level essay competition commemorating the International Day for Disaster Reduction.
Afterward, the Vice-Senior General posed for documentary photographs with attendees and viewed the photo exhibition commemorating the International Day for Disaster Reduction.