1.1.2.3 Investing in risk reduction

Priority 3 of the Sendai Framework states that “Public and private investment in disaster risk prevention and reduction through structural and non-structural measures are essential to enhance the economic, social, health and cultural resilience of persons, communities, countries and their assets, as well as the environment. These can be drivers of innovation, growth, and job creation. Such measures are cost-effective and instrumental to save lives, prevent and reduce losses and ensure effective recovery and rehabilitation.” 1

Disaster financial planning is essential for returning, or bouncing back, from a disaster as quickly as possible. In the United States, “Congress authorized in Title 23, United States Code, Section 125, a special program from the Highway Trust Fund for the repair or reconstruction of Federal-aid highways and roads on Federal lands which have suffered serious damage as a result of (1) natural disasters or (2) catastrophic failures from an external cause. This program, commonly referred to as the emergency relief or ER program, supplements the commitment of resources by States, their political subdivisions, or other Federal agencies to help pay for unusually heavy expenses resulting from extraordinary conditions.” 2 , 3

Footnotes

• 1. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 - 2030
• 2. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/programadmin/erelief.cfm
• 3. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/specialfunding/er/211221er-map.cfm