Amina Aitsi-Selmi & Virginia Murray
After negotiations at the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in March 2015, a new framework was adopted by 187 Member States. The Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction 2015–2030 highlights concerns on human health and well-being that are common to disaster risk reduction, climate change and sustainable development. A substantial emphasis on health is a welcome development, given the relative lack of attention to health issues in its predecessor, the Hyogo framework for action 2005–2015. The Hyogo framework did succeed in galvanizing many stakeholders including governments, scientists, the commercial sector and nongovernmental organizations to make progress on disaster risk reduction. However, more progress is needed in addressing underlying vulnerability from poverty, inequity or poor urban planning and land use. Disaster impacts are strongly influenced by physical, social, economic and environmental factors. Reducing disaster risk, therefore, requires concerted action across a wide range of sectors, institutions and disciplines. The Sendai framework is relevant within and beyond the health sector. There are more than 30 explicit references to health, referring to the implementation of an all-hazards approach to managing disaster risk, including links to epidemics and pandemics, several references to the International health regulations (2005) and to rehabilitation as part of disaster recovery.