Disaster preparedness and management need local to global initiatives as the causes can be global and preparedness and response also need global cooperation. Local communities’ and institutions’ capacity to prepare and respond are crucial. In the cases of the situations exceeding national coping capacities, the regional and global efforts and initiatives are necessary through lessons and knowledge sharing, enhancing international mechanisms, and international cooperation and mobilization.

Disasters affects the poor, vulnerable and marginalized peoples more than others. Helping the vulnerable people learn to be prepared and supporting and learning from community initiatives are to be focused and can be more sustainable.

Role, space and coordination of the civil society are integral in empowering local institutions, mobilizing the communities, collaborating with stakeholders. Civil society and CSOs have been working in different contexts and humanitarian situations. Different countries are prone to different disasters and CSOs have accumulated experiences and lessons from these situations. World Social Forum 2024 is an appropriate space to discuss, share and learn from each other.

Session Objective

The objective of this thematic session on disaster preparedness and management is:

1. To create a learning and sharing platform on disaster preparedness and management, from different countries focusing on how we ensure that vulnerable peoples are prepared to face the disasters;
2. To facilitate an exchange of experience and lessons around the engagement and contribution of the civil society.