THE theme for International Day for Disaster Reduction this year is Older Persons and Disasters: Resilience is for Life. 

According to a release from the Civil Defence Commission, the foregoing theme has been chosen in recognition of the fact that the world is ageing. This year’s Day will highlight the need for a more inclusive approach for older people in disaster risk reduction, and recognize the critical role they can play in resilience-building through their experience and knowledge.
Persons of advanced age, the CDC says, also contribute in times of crisis by assuming family responsibilities and giving local information and advice to those responding to disasters. Countries are urged to bolster their capacities to help such people through advance planning and preparation, such as by developing evacuation schemes that take special account of older people’s needs. Older people can suffer disproportionately in many different types of emergencies and disasters, ranging from weather events and epidemics to armed conflicts. People aged over 60 currently make up slightly more than 11% of the global population. By 2050, and they will account for 22% of the population and number some two (2) billion.
This theme also highlights the fact that serious efforts must be made to promote more partnerships with older people in disaster risk reduction. Governments, companies and communities need to systematically include their participation in decision-making processes for building disaster resilient societies. Policy makers must recognize theneeds of the elderly and what they contribute to better planning and understanding of disaster risk in their communities
International Day for Disaster Reduction was first started in 1989, with the approval by the United Nations General Assembly. Originally celebrated on the second Wednesday of October (Resolution 44/236, 22 December, 1989), the United Nations General Assembly decided to designate October 13 as the date to celebrate the International Day for Disaster Reduction (Resolution 64/200, 21 December 2009).
Disaster risk reduction is a spectrum of activities, from disaster preparedness to disaster-resilient building practices that aim to limit the impact of natural disasters on communities and in this regard, the International Day for Disaster Reduction encourages every citizen and government to participate in building more disaster resilient communities and nations.
Generally, we are witnessing an increase in many countries’ vulnerability to natural hazards and the severity of the damage caused by natural disasters. The International Day for Disaster Reduction is an opportunity to raise awareness of disaster risks and promote a global culture of disaster risk reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness. Disaster risk reduction is everybody’s business, and it is only by investing in tangible risk reduction measures that we can reduce vulnerability and protect development.
The Government of Guyana, through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will be observing International Day for Disaster Reduction with a number of activities, including the following:
* An Observance Ceremony and Experiential Sharing Platform between the elderly population and the younger generation which will take the form of a public forum and exhibition where the two groups would be able to share and discuss how Disaster Risk Reduction was undertaken in the past, and how it is currently undertaken.
* A Capacity Building/Awareness Workshop involving members of the aging population, and persons who are involved in the care for the elderly so as to raise their awareness of Disaster Risk Reduction, and more specifically how elderly persons can and should be included in the Disaster Risk Management initiatives throughout the country.
* The distribution of Emergency/Survival Kits to various Elderly Homes that can be utilised in the event of a disaster or emergency situation in an effort to enhance the resilience of the homes.

The Government of Guyana joins the world in the call for greater attention to be given to the needs, vulnerabilities, and capabilities of older people, before, during, and after emergencies, including natural and Man-made disasters and other humanitarian crises.