Every year on 13 October, International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023 is celebrated.
The day is celebrated for raising awareness about how people around the world can reduce their exposure to disasters.
This year, the theme of the Day is “Fighting inequality for a resilient future”.
The theme of the day is in line with the Sendai Framework, an international agreement to prevent and reduce loss of life, livelihoods, economy, and infrastructure.
It was started in 1989 by the United Nations General Assembly to promote a global culture of risk awareness and disaster reduction.
Poverty, inequality, and discrimination are causes and consequences of increased disaster risk.
According to current climate projections, the world will face approximately 560 disasters per year by 2030.
An additional estimated 37.6 million people will live in extreme poverty by 2030 due to the impacts of climate change and disasters.
A “worst-case” scenario of climate change and disasters would push an additional 100.7 million people into poverty by 2030.
