..Press Release..........UNESCAP News Services

Date 5 October 2006
Note to Editor: N/34/2006

EDUCATION THE KEY AT UN INTERNATIONAL DAY
FOR NATURAL DISASTER REDUCTION

Bangkok (United nations Information Services) -- Empowering vulnerable communities to better prepare for natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region through education is the theme of this year’s United Nations Disaster Reduction Day on Wednesday 11 October 2006.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan says 2006 is the year to involve children in disaster reduction. “We need to keep our children safe and to involve them directly in our work to strengthen disaster preparedness,” he said.

It is the first time that a joint celebration for the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction as well as the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Disaster Management Day will be held in the region.

The UN International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction will be commemorated at the United Nations Conference Centre Bangkok with an exhibition, the handover of three International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) field libraries, two books launches, speeches and a panel discussion on “Education for Disaster Risk Reduction”.

UNESCAP, the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and the Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) of Thailand will receive a field library produced by the UNISDR in Geneva. The libraries are blue trunks comprising of 100 publications on disaster risk management for use by communities, governments, disaster reduction practitioners, students and NGOs

The commemoration also features the launch of two new publications: “Moving Forward Post Tsunami: Voices of the Vulnerable” by UNESCAP and “Community Based Disaster Risk Management and the Media” by ADPC. There will also be an exhibition on the same theme with contributions from partners, including ASEAN.

NOTE TO EDITORS: You or your representatives are invited to attend the observance of The UN International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction on Wednesday, 11 October, starting at 8:30 hrs on the ground floor of the UN Conference Centre, Bangkok.

In order to facilitate the entrance and limited parking space, we would appreciate it if you could please confirm your attendance together with your transportation details (plate number, make, model & colour) to unisbkk.unescap@un.org or fax: 02 288 1052.

For further information, please contact:
UN Information Services Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1864-67, Fax: +(66-2) 288-1052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org

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