The UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction system takes a global approach to disaster reduction, seeking to involve every individual and community in moving toward the goals of reducing the loss of lives, socio-economic setbacks and environmental damage caused by natural hazards. Hazards, such as floods and droughts, and extreme events, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, have devastating consequences for people and communities. Poor planning, poverty, and a range of other underlying factors can result in insufficient capacity to cope with hazards, compounding damage when disasters occur.
The UN has convened three World Conferences on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR). The 1st WCDRR in 1994 adopted the Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action for a Safer World. The 2nd WCDRR in 2005 adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Countries and Communities to Disasters. The third WCDRR in 2015 adopted the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.