International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

That the Parliament acknowledges the United Nations International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on 13 October 2023, which is an annual observance that takes place following the Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, where the UN General Assembly, in May 2023, adopted a political declaration to accelerate action to strengthen disaster resilience; notes that this year’s focus is to address the connection between disasters and inequality; considers that each adversity reinforces the other and that unequal access to services leaves the most vulnerable exposed to the danger of disasters, while the effects of disasters exacerbate inequalities and push those most at risk further into poverty, as seen in climate emergency induced disasters from Libya to Pakistan in recent years; believes that all sections of society must take action to prevent and reduce losses in lives, livelihoods, economies and basic infrastructure for all communities, especially those most at risk; commends Aberdeenshire Council for the reported success of its Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme in protecting Stonehaven from recent heavy rainfall, and urges all levels of government across Scotland and the wider UK to take similar proactive climate emergency mitigation efforts in response to the reported worsening effects of the climate disaster.