The Presidential Advisor for Economic Affairs, Aggrey Tisa Sabuni is urging South Sudan to work towards reducing disaster mortality by 2030, as agreed in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The Sendai agreement focuses on the substantial reduction of disaster risks and losses in lives, livelihoods, and health.

The agreement which was signed in Japan in 2015, emphasizes on the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities, and countries.

It aims at reducing direct disaster economic loss in relation to global gross domestic product [GDP], by minimizing disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services.

The agreement calls on countries to increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to the people.

Speaking at the launch of the Framework in Juba, Aggrey Tisa said South Sudan need to prepare itself on how to respond to natural or man-made disasters.

“You start preparations by taking cognizant of the situation. If you don’t appreciate the situation then cannot you prepare for it,” Sabuni said.

“We are here to do exactly like that; domesticate, internalize the Sendai Framework for handling disasters,” he added.

The Sendai framework focuses on four priority areas.

They include: Understanding disaster risk, strengthening disaster risk governance, investing in risk reduction for resilience, and enhancing preparedness for effective response, and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hussein Maar Nyuot who also attended the launch said his ministry is developing measures to address calamities.

“There is the development of the National Disaster Risk Management Policy, which is now at its advance state. The validation workshop of the draft policy is schedule for the tomorrow the 7th December,” said Hussein.

He added the policy will be incorporated into educational and agricultural sector and high institutions of learning.

“A National Disaster Risk Management working group has been established in 2013 to guide and review the disaster risk management policy process and act as a national disaster risk platform,” he concluded.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 – 2030 was adopted at the 3^rd United Nations conference held from 14^th to 18^th March 2015 in Sendai in Japan.

Additional Information by Daniel Danis