GFDRR and Regional Institutions in Africa and Asia to Deepen Cooperation in Disaster Risk Management
On June 17, the GFDRR signed a Memorandum of Understanding with two leading regional research institutions in the field of disaster risk management: the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) and the Climate Prediction and Application Center of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The MoUs were signed in Geneva during the 2nd Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction by Ms. Zoubida Allaoua, Director of the Finance, Economics, and Urban Department at the World Bank, Dr. Bhichit Ratakul, Director, ADPC, and Prof. Laban Ogallo, Director, IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre. “The GFDRR fully recognizes the potential of regional and sub-regional institutions as engines of knowledge and innovation for disaster risk reduction”, said Ms. Allaoua. By strengthening capacities of institutions such as ADPC and IGAD, the GFDRR aims to support national disaster risk management  with just-in-time advice and knowledge solutions for a broad range of risk reduction, recovery, and reconstruction issues. The development of strategic knowledge partnerships among think tanks, research centers, and networks of practitioners at regional level plays also an important role under the World Bank’s Knowledge Agenda, one of the Six Strategic Corporate Themes launched by President Robert Zoellick. Being a global partnership, the GFDRR is well placed to broker knowledge and expertise across at regional and sub-regional level, matching 'demand' and 'supply' of specific solutions for disaster risk reduction on a truly global scale.

6th Meeting of the GFDRR Consultative Group
The Consultative Group (CG), the governing body of the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), held its 6th meeting on June 15, a day before the Second Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva. The participation of Belgium, Brazil, India, Ireland, the Netherlands and Turkey as new GFDRR partners, confirms the evolving nature of GFDRR into a true global partnership. The CG discussed and endorsed the newly formulated GFDRR Partnership Strategy that outlines the key priority areas of action for the coming 3 years. This includes a deepened engagement in selected countries through comprehensive disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation programs to ensure full compliance with the Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA). A roundtable was organized where delegates from priority countries discussed with CG members the formulation and implementation of these disaster risk management programs. While the support to priority countries will constitute GFDRR’s core activity, innovative disaster risk reduction and recovery activities in other disaster prone countries will continue to be considered that show great potential to leverage substantial disaster risk reduction advancements. Finally the CG discussed ways how the partnership could be further expanded by including developing country participation in the GFDRR governance.

Guidance Notes on Safer School Construction Launched
The “Guidance Notes on Safer School Construction” were launched by Zoubida Allaoua, Director, World Bank on June 18, 2009, during the second session of Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction at Geneva. The Guidance Notes were developed jointly with the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies, the World Bank and ISDR.The Notes provide a framework of guiding principles and general steps to develop a context-specific plan to address a critical gap to reaching the Education for All and Millennium Development Goals through the disaster resilient construction and retrofitting of school buildings. The landmark document briefly addresses the need and rationale for safer school buildings; recommends a series of suggested steps that highlight key points that should be considered when planning a safer school construction and/or retrofitting initiative; and identifies basic design principles and requirements a school building must meet to provide a greater level of protection. Finally, the Notes offer a list of key resources for more detailed, technical and context-specific information. Download

Regional Launch of the Global Assessment Report on DRR
The first edition of the biennial Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction was launched at the World Bank Headquarter in Washington DC on May 26, 2009. Ms. Zoubida Allaoua, FEU Director at Sustainable Development Network of the World Bank  launched the report followed by a panel of global DRM experts highlighting the main findings from the study. This report presents a global risk analysis on emerging disaster and climatic risk patterns and trends, in particular those related to poverty and human development concerns. It also presents a comprehensive review of progress by countries in achieving the Hyogo Framework for Action, the international framework for reducing disaster risk adopted by 168 governments in 2005.
 
GFDRR Expands Risk Reduction Programs In Targeted Countries
GFDRR increases its focus in selected highly vulnerable countries. Comprehensive programs of support for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation are being prepared for these priority countries. Read more 

Risk Assessments Guide Development Planning
Disaster and climate risk assessments are the foundation of decision-making processes. Quantifying risk is not only the first step in any disaster risk reduction program but the outputs and scenarios of a risk assessment contribute to structuring overall development project and options. GFDRR is carrying out risk assessments in a number of countries and cities. Read more