Water-related disasters account for more than 90% of the people affected by disasters since 1990, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations including women and children. Global flood damages are estimated at US$120 billion per year from urban property damages alone and major droughts, on average, reduce per capita GDP growth by half a percentage point, putting development gains at risk.
Given importance of paying attention to water-related disasters, High-level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP), drafted "Principles on investment and financing for water related disaster risk reduction", which was launched during the 8th World Water Forum in Brazil with the presence of Japanese Crown Prince. HELP consists of world leaders and experts in water and disasters lead by Dr. Han Seung-soo (Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Water, and Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea).
Sub-regional consultation for Central and South-Eastern Europe on the draft principles on investment and financing for water-related disaster risk reduction is co-organized by HELP and Global Water Partnership with the support from the Japanese government. The purpose of this consultation is to gain inputs from experts and practitioners in the region on the draft principles, allowing these principles to serve as the practical guidance for decision-makers and practitioners in their effort in reducing water-related disaster risk. The final principles will be tabled for endorsement by global leaders during the 4th United Nations Special Thematic Session on Water and Disasters, planned in 2019.
The consultation will take place on 9th October at 13:00 at National Meteorological Administration headquarters in Bucharest, Romania.