The Past Can Teach Us a Great Deal About Disaster Risk Reduction
Disaster Risk Reduction Day (October 13) began in 1989 after a call by the United Nations to increase awareness of global risk and disaster reduction. Since then, nations and organizations have made great strides to improve disaster education and prevention.
However, there’s still significant work to be done — especially when it comes to identifying and reducing disaster risks for cultural heritage.
The past has a lot to teach us.
Historic sites and cultural traditions contain important lessons for mitigating disaster risks. Recent disasters have demonstrated that sites built with traditional materials and techniques can be more resilient to handle hazards such as earthquakes and floods. Intangible heritage is also crucial for protecting communities during disasters. Traditional knowledge saved lives during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, when Andaman fishermen followed ancient wisdom warning that when the sea withdraws, so must the people.
Yet cultural heritage is especially vulnerable to disasters. This is particularly true for historic sites, as many locations lack disaster plans. Even when plans do exist prior to disasters, they are often poorly integrated with larger management plans and improperly executed during times of crisis. In the wake of disasters, recovery resources are usually allocated to other priorities, and damaged heritage sites are left to languish.
Cultural heritage can be a pillar of community resilience — and recovery.
Heritage risk mitigation is central in post-disaster community recovery. Cultural heritage can help disaster-struck communities recuperate by strengthening connections between people and increasing local resilience. When people lose their homes, their shared history can provide strength and inspiration, providing coping mechanisms and forging bonds between current and past generations.
Heritage plays an important role in post-disaster development and economic prosperity. Historic sites and community traditions distinguish destinations, attracting visitors and contributing to economic recovery. After disasters, heritage can be an invaluable resource for eventual recuperation and sustainable development.
Empower communities to reduce disaster risks through heritage protection.
Global Heritage Fund’s programs are helping communities mitigate risks and prepare for disasters. By utilizing traditional building materials and techniques, we’re supporting disaster risk reduction and protecting heritage around the world. We believe that by building capacity and sharing our experiences and best practices, we can strengthen resilience among vulnerable communities.
In Morocco, ancient granaries deteriorated due to age, weathering, and to some extent, neglect, but they remained popular gathering spots for locals fleeing the oppressive midday heat trapped by modern concrete buildings. By drawing on traditional granary building materials and techniques, our grassroots community training programs are helping people adapt to environmental pressures and preserve ancient knowledge.
People are protecting the granaries — and in return, the granaries are helping local communities by providing employment, attracting visitors, and supporting much-needed development.
#GlobalHeritageFund #BeyondMonuments #DRRday #BuildToLast #CulturalHeritage
Sources:
