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International Conference on the Implementation of the Health Aspects of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 - 2030

The International Conference on the Implementation of the Health Aspects of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, which was held on 10-11 March 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand, discussed and recommended measures to prevent and reduce the risk of health emergencies such as pandemics that have the potential for huge social and economic impact.

The conference mainly consisted of four panel discussions: (1) implementation of the Sendai Framework — strengthening multi-sectoral disaster risk reduction to address the risks to people's health; (2) capacity building in public health preparedness and response; (3) strengthening the design and implementation of inclusive policy and social safety-net mechanisms for disaster risk reduction; and (4) partnerships and the role of stakeholders.

Seven recommendations, the so-called 'Bangkok Principles', were proposed at the conference:

1. Promote systematic integration of health into national and sub-national disaster risk reduction policies and plans and the inclusion of emergency and disaster risk management programmes in national and sub-national health strategies.
2. Enhance cooperation between health authorities and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen country capacity for disaster risk management for health, the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) and building of resilient health systems.
3. Stimulate people-centered public and private investment in emergency and disaster risk reduction, including in health facilities and infrastructure.
4. Integrate disaster risk reduction into health education and training and strengthen capacity building of health workers in disaster risk reduction.
5. Incorporate disaster-related mortality, morbidity and disability data into a multi-hazards early warning system, health core indicators and national risk assessments.
6. Advocate for and support cross-sectoral, transboundary collaboration including information sharing, and science and technology for all hazards, including biological hazards.
7. Promote coherence and further development of local and national policies and strategies, legal frameworks, regulations, and institutional arrangements.

Dr Wang Dongming, Research Fellow of the PolyU–UNISDR Collaboration Programme (CoPe), together with Prof Alex Molasiotis, Prof Alice Yuen Loke, and Dr Olivia Fung from PolyU's School of Nursing attended the conference, which was jointly organized by the Royal Thai Government, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the World Health Organization.

For more details, please click HERE.