JAMAICA’S Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will today join the United Nation International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) in commemorating International Day for Disaster Reduction, observed annually on October 13.

The United Nations General Assembly, in 1989, approved International Day for Disaster Reduction as a calendar activity and has adopted specialised areas of focus each year, as part of efforts to promote a global culture of disaster reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

This year’s theme is “Knowledge for Life”, with emphasis being placed on disaster risk management and indigenous peoples, which is part of the wider decade-long “Step Up” initiative.

The ODPEM, in a release yesterday, said: “On the heels of the gains brought about by the Building Disaster Resilient Community model, communities are afforded an opportunity to review risk reduction practices employed in their communities, while the ODPEM and its partners continue to raise awareness about the importance of disaster risk management.

In a message to commemorate the occasion, Noel Arscott, the minister with responsibility for disaster management stated that “IDDR Day is of special significance, given global economic realities and constant threat from weather systems”. He said the “Government of Jamaica has been doing its part to construct and enhance a sustainable culture of disaster prevention and reduction”, which is led by the ODPEM.

The ODPEM, meanwhile, urged individuals at all levels to make a conscious effort toward building disaster resilience by adopting best practices and heeding the office’s recommendations as well as those from relevant subject matter experts.

“Communities can be confident that their role as champions for mitigating against the impact of disasters significantly contributes to empowering the community disaster risk management process,” the ODPEM said. At the same time, it urged Jamaicans to play an active role in establishing closer working relations with community groups and parish disaster committees.