Engaging indigenous peoples in disaster risk reduction
This paper is intended to stimulate discussion and act as a catalyst to create opportunities for sharing experience and knowledge about disaster risk reduction between and among indigenous and non-indigenous peoples throughout the world. It should also serve to generate debate, raise questions and look for answers that will result in reduction of loss of life and property. In addition, it will highlight efforts underway that, although not necessarily designed with indigenous peoples in mind, may be useful to indigenous community leaders as they look for opportunities to reduce risk and plan response strategies. Two more immediate objectives of this paper are to encourage and inform discussions and recommendations on the issue of disaster risk reduction (DRR) at the 12th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) and to ensure that issues, articulated by indigenous people themselves, are considered in the planning and outcomes of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2013 and the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in 2015.
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