Haya Addresses Disaster Risk Reduction Conference

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon launched a report on ‘2009 UN Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction’ which talks about Gulf countries face the risk of natural disasters such as Tsunamis, earthquakes and cyclones and that the countries have to be prepares if anything happenes. The report also explains natural disaster trends and strategies and how to reduce if happened.

Speaking at the launch of the report was UN Goodwill Ambassador for the World Health Programme, Princess Haya Al Hussein of Jordan wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai who emphasised that those effected by disasters are treated humanely and that disasters are added to the present challenges faced such as poverty, education, health, and famine. “It’s hard to motivate political leaders to focus on preventive measures to face possible disasters, because politically it’s difficult under the normal circumstances to convince the people of the benefits of such investments to face things which might not take place,” she said.

Another speak at the conference was Bahrain’s Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa who stressed the international community to set up efficient and collective disaster-response mechanisms saying “Such an organised global effort would reduce threats to the future of mankind.”

The event was held on May 17, 2009 in Bahrain’s capital, Manama. For more information, see this thread.

Filed under Bahrain, Jordan, United Arab Emirates
Tagged Ban Ki-Moon, Emirate of Dubai, Health, Natural Disaster, Princess Haya bint Hussein of Jordan, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, United Nations.