Message from Ms. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the Occasion of the International Day for Disaster Reduction

　　教科文组织总干事伊琳娜·博科娃女士在国际减灾日的致辞

　　13 October 2017

　　2017年10月13日

　　Disasters produced by natural hazards strike societies at the heart and affect millions of people every year worldwide. These past months have been particularly destructive, when all have seen the extent of the threat and of our own vulnerability. Cyclones in the Caribbean and the USA have far exceeded in intensity the typical seasonal levels, and the population of Mexico has been severely hit by earthquakes, to name but a few examples. Human activities are linked to this escalation.

　　每年发生在世界各地的自然灾害给社会以沉重打击，受影响人口数以百万计。最近几个月的自然灾害破坏力尤其惊人，其威胁之大以及我们自身的脆弱程度有目共睹：横扫加勒比和美国的飓风在强度方面远超典型的季节性飓风，而地震则给墨西哥以重创。人类活动与自然灾害愈演愈烈不无关系。

　　In 2016, 24.2 million persons had to leave their homes because of disasters. Over the last twenty years, more than 1.35 million have died as a result of their vulnerability and exposure to natural hazards, with women and girls bearing a heavy toll. In the last two decades, over 4 billion persons have been displaced and left homeless, injured or in need of emergency assistance. The resulting loss of life is tragic, while the resulting destruction is extremely costly. Disasters lead to an estimated annual economic loss of USD$ 250 to 300 billion. These figures are likely to increase with the rising pressures of climate change, overpopulation and urbanization.

　　2016年，灾害迫使 2420万人背井离乡。过去20年里，由于在自然灾害面前不堪一击，超过135万人失去了生命，妇女和女童代价惨重。过去20年里，超过40亿人曾流离失所，无家可归，他们身心受到伤害，有时需要紧急援助。自然灾害所导致的生命的逝去是悲剧性的，而所带来的破坏代价高昂。灾害每年造成的经济损失估计高达2500亿到3000亿美元。随着气候变化、人口过剩以及城市化压力加大，这些数字有可能进一步增长。

　　UNESCO stands in solidarity with all the persons affected by disasters worldwide. This must translate into concrete public policies to take forward implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Agreement. UNESCO is acting across the board to advocate for risk awareness, prevention and preparedness. We operate at the interface between the natural and social sciences, education, culture and communication to reduce exposure and displacements through capacity building, knowledge sharing and networking, early warning and policy advice.

　　教科文组织与全世界所有受到灾害影响的人团结一心。这样的决心必须转化为推动《仙台减少灾害风险框架》、《2030年可持续发展议程》以及《巴黎气候协定》实施工作的具体公共政策。教科文组织正在为倡导风险意识和防灾备灾采取全面行动。我们在自然科学和社会科学、教育、文化和传播等交叉领域开展行动，通过能力建设、知识共享和联网、预警以及政策建议来降低灾害风险，减少流离失所现象。

　　“Home Safe Home” is the slogan for this International Day for Disaster Reduction. This is an opportunity to mobilize the world and to strengthen collaboration with all stakeholders. We can reduce the risks that stem from rapid urbanisation, poverty, environmental deterioration and climate change. Above all, we need to avoid the creation of risks in the first place. This demands more education, culture, and local knowledge, along with prevention skills.

　　“家，安全的家”是这个国际减灾日的口号。这是开展全球动员并与所有利益攸关方加强合作的一次契机。我们能够减少快速城市化、贫困、环境恶化和气候变化带来的风险。最重要的是，我们需要从源头上避免制造风险。这就需要加强教育、文化和地方知识以及预防技能。

　　This is our message – let us join forces to share it across the world.