By UN resolution 44/236 (22 December 1989), the General Assembly designated the second Wednesday of October International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction. The International Day was to be observed annually during the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, 1990-1999. By resolution 64/200 of 21 December 2009 the General Assembly decided to designate 13 October as the date to commemorate the Day and to change the Day’s name to International Day for Disaster Reduction. The objective of the observance is to raise awareness how people are taking action to reduce their risk to disasters.
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
13 October 2011
Related News & Events
09 December 2025
On 5 Dec 2025, S. Africa’s DSTI Deputy Minister Ms. Nomalungelo Gina visited IRDR IPO. Dr. Saini Yang introduced IRDR’s work; Gina highlighted disaster risk’s importance and partnership areas, boosting mutual understanding for future collaboration.
09 December 2025
On Dec 2, 2025, IRDR held its Young Scientists Online Meeting with 6 YSP batches. Prof Saini Yang spoke; alumni shared experiences. It launched the 2026-onward YSP Action Plan, and participants discussed implementation and youth research in post-2030 global DRR.
04 December 2025
IRDR co-organized the 2025 Silk Road DRR Training in Chengdu, training 30+ participants. Two IRDR Young Scientists received full scholarships, strengthening regional risk governance and youth engagement in disaster resilience.
