CSocD63 Building Resilience for All: Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction into Social Development

On 13 February 2025, policymakers, UN officials, researchers, and civil society representatives gathered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the side event “Building Resilience for All: Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction into Social Development to Reduce Inequalities”, held on the margins of the 63rd Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD63). The event was hosted by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Permanent Mission of Poland, the Group of Friends for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The hosts emphasized the urgent need to integrate disaster risk reduction (DRR) into social protection systems to safeguard vulnerable populations, mitigate the impact of crises, and strengthen resilience against future shocks.

The intersection of disaster risk and social inequalities

In recent years, a convergence of crises, including climate disasters, pandemics, and economic instability, has disrupted global development efforts, exacerbating poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. The 2024 World Social Report revealed that over 70 million people were pushed back into extreme poverty in 2020 alone, while disasters triggered by natural hazards now affect over 100 million people annually, eroding decades of development progress.

H.E. Mr. Krzysztof Maria Szczerski, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Poland to the UN, opened the event by emphasizing that social development and disaster risk reduction are inextricably linked. He called on policymakers to move beyond reactive measures and adopt proactive approaches that prioritize disaster resilience, ensuring no one is left behind.

Mr. Juan Pablo Vegas, Deputy Permanent Representative of Peru to the UN, speaking on behalf of the Group of Friends on Disaster Risk Reduction, stressed that integrating DRR into social development strategies is critical to breaking cycles of poverty and inequality. He urged governments to invest in anticipatory action, social safety nets, and resilience-focused policies, particularly for women, children, indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities.

Discussion

The multistakeholder panel discussion explored the role of social protection systems in building resilience to disasters and the practical steps required to integrate DRR into national and local policies.

Ms. Julia Wittig, Anticipatory Scale-Up Lead, UN OCHA, underscored the importance of acting ahead of predictable disasters to reduce humanitarian crises. She highlighted the cost-effectiveness of anticipatory action and called for flexible, pre-arranged financing mechanisms to expand early warning and preparedness measures.

Mr. Manann Donoghoe, Senior Research Associate, Brookings Institution, examined the intersection of climate change and social inequality, emphasizing that vulnerable communities, especially low-income and racial minorities, face disproportionate disaster risks. He called for economic mobility strategies and inclusive development policies to strengthen long-term resilience.

Dr. Thalia Balkaran, Columbia National Preparedness Centre, provided insights from Hurricane Maria’s impact on Dominica, demonstrating how targeted disaster response plans must prioritize the most vulnerable to ensure effective recovery.

Mr. Edmundo Murrugarra, Senior Social Protection Economist, World Bank, discussed lessons from adaptive social protection systems that flexibly adjust to disaster shocks. He emphasized hazard mapping, coordinated data systems, and regional insurance mechanisms as essential tools for strengthening social resilience.

A call to action

The discussions reinforced the need for bold, coordinated action to integrate disaster risk reduction into social policies. Key recommendations included:

• Scaling up anticipatory action mechanisms to minimize disaster impacts before they occur.
• Expanding social safety nets that adapt to disaster risks, including disaster-responsive cash transfers and food security programs.
• Strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration between governments, the UN system, civil society, and local communities to create cohesive, inclusive disaster resilience strategies.
• Investing in resilient infrastructure, health, and education systems to ensure social services remain operational during crises.

As the international community moves forward, integrating disaster risk reduction into social policies will be essential to protecting lives, reducing inequalities, and building a more resilient future for all.

Source: UN DESA