In the year 1989, the United Nations General Assembly designated 13 October as International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) to promote a global culture of disaster reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness. Since then, the IDDR has been a major global awareness event to recognize progress and encourage further efforts to build disaster resilient communities and nations. In March 2015, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) was adopted in Sendai, Japan. On this occasion, the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) launched the Sendai Seven Campaign to promote the 7 targets of the SFDRR. It is an opportunity for all, including governments, local governments, community groups, civil society organisations, the private sector, international organisations and the UN family, to promote best practice at international, regional and national level across all sectors, to reduce disaster risk and disaster losses. Every year, the Sendai Seven Campaign emphasizes global action on these targets by celebrating the IDDR with a theme based on one of the seven targets.
‘SAMARTH’
As a symbol of solidarity with the global efforts to observe the celebrations related to the IDDR, the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) organizes an Annual Mass Awareness Campaign on Disaster Risk Reduction- ‘Samarth’. Started in the year 2011, this statewide campaign is carried out at the state, district and community level and a variety of events and activities are organized in the month of October every year. A range of Information, Education and Communication (I.E.C.) material is developed and disseminated among different target groups to enhance their knowledge and understanding of disaster risk reduction. During this period, the HPSDMA also launches an awareness drive using Print & Electronic Media, Social Media, Radio, Television and alternative media like street plays. Different types of events like inter-school quiz, photography competition, thematic workshops, etc. are organized at various levels. In order to achieve the objectives of ‘Samarth’, it is very crucial for every citizen of Himachal Pradesh as well as all the District Disaster Management Authorities, Line Departments, Media Houses, Academic & Research Institutions, Corporate Houses, GOs, NGOs and CBOs to participate pro-actively in the campaign and contribute effectively to the process of making Himachal Pradesh a state resilient to disasters.