The Committe on Disaster Risk Management of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), led by the Association of Engineers of Peru and the National University of Engineering is organizing this important event focused on post-disaster reconstruction. Since the beginning of the 20th century to date, disasters associated with the occurrence of dangerous natural phenomena worldwide have caused economic losses of more than seven billion dollars and the death of more than eight million people.
Trends show that damages and losses caused by disasters will increase as climate change, unplanned urbanization and migration continue at an accelerated pace. Therefore, disaster risk management is the key tool to prevent and reduce risks, and to have a sound preparation for an adequate response to emergencies and disasters. In particular, post-disaster reconstruction must be an integrated, articulating and synergistic process that allows recovering what is affected and reconstructing what has been destroyed, based on an approach that reduces pre-existing risks and avoids emergence of new vulnerability conditions, thus achieving more resilient communities and making development sustainable.
The organization of the 12th International Symposium on Disaster Risk Management: Reconstruction toward Resilient Cities (ISDRM2018) from September 5 to 8, 2018, at the Convention Center of Lima is announced in this context. Its main objective is to analyze experiences and good practices in reconstruction processes, and to contribute to formulating public policy guidelines aligned with the Sendai Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Lima, with its mystique and modern atmosphere has been, in recent years, the scene of important events of global significance. We are confident that it will meet all your expectations and with great satisfaction I invite all those interested in the subject of disaster risk management to participate in the ISDRM, and to take significant advantage of the many activities scheduled.
MD. Jorge Elías Alva Hurtado
Chairman
Committe on Disaster Risk Reduction
World Federation of Engineering Organizations