Disaster Risk Reduction for Cultural Heritage
Armed conflict and natural disasters pose a dire threat to cultural heritage throughout the Asia-Pacific region. News stories are becoming all too frequent of priceless cultural treasures being damaged or lost forever and there are currently few measures in place to mitigate the effects of and recover from these dangers – even UNESCO World Heritage sites too often lack these safeguards.
Reminders of the vulnerability of Asia-Pacific’s cultural heritage are all too frequent: the Kathmandu earthquake earlier this year; super typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013 and the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of 2011 are but a few examples. Armed conflict has compounded this threat, resulting in an upsurge in the deliberate destruction of historic sites and the illicit trade of cultural artefacts.
There is a need to ensure that appropriate measures for preparing for, responding to and recovering from disaster and armed conflict situations are reflected in cultural heritage policies and practices. Much needs to be done in terms of enhancing baseline information, building capacity and mobilizing resources at all stages from preparedness to recovery. The resilience of other immovable and movable cultural heritage also needs to be strengthened in the context of disaster risk reduction.
National disaster management authorities also need to better understand the importance of pro-active risk reduction for cultural heritage sites and institutions. Integrating disaster and armed conflict management plans for heritage properties with national and regional plans will ensure that risk reduction for heritage will be seen as part of broader national disaster risk reduction strategies.
Conference Reports
Harmonizing Actions to Reduce Risks for Cultural Heritage in Asia and the Pacific
Conference Report (2015)
Events
Improved Safeguarding for Cultural Heritage Threatened by Armed Conflict and Natural Disasters Aim of Regional Conference
What: “Regional Conference on Harmonizing Actions to Reduce Risks for Cultural Heritage in Asia and the Pacific”
The conference brought together a diverse group of experts in heritage conservation, disaster risk reduction to work towards greater regional cooperation in protecting our region’s precious cultural legacy.
It built on the momentum of the Third UN Disaster Risk Reduction Conference in Sendai, Japan, held earlier this year, where the global community made a commitment to mobilize more proactively to reduce disaster risks, a commitment enshrined in the Sendai Framework.
The conference also seeks to advance that commitment by raising awareness of the importance of protecting cultural heritage in the face of increased risks from disasters and armed conflicts, showcasing best practices in protecting heritage and identifying obstacles and priorities for the integration of culture and heritage into regional initiatives and institutional frameworks for managing risks.
Highlight: UNESCO’s partner ThinkCity, held the “ThinkCity George Town Grants Programme exhibition”, showcasing the organization’s successful initiative in providing funds/matching funds to community organizations working to restore various heritage buildings in George Town.
More on the programme: www.thinkcity.com.my/tcgrants
When: 7-9 December 2015
Where: Hotel Jen, Penang, Malaysia
Who: UNESCO, host partner institution ThinkCity, a community-based “urban rejuvenation” organization, with support from ICOMOS - ICORP (International Council on Monuments and Sites, International Committee on Risk Preparedness), ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property), and partner agencies UNISDR (United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction), IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies), APDC (Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre) and UNDP (United Nations Development Programme).
More than 70 participants from 20 countries showcased existing and emerging best practices and standards for enhancing resilience for cultural heritage in the context of disasters and armed conflicts.
HE Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang delivered welcoming remarks. Opening remarks were delivered by Ar. Laurence Loh, Director of Think City and Vibeke Jensen, Director of UNESCO Islamabad.
Keynote speeches was delivered by Bhesh Narayan Dahal, Director-General, Department of Archaeology, Nepal and Dr. Terry Cannon, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies. Experts in heritage conservation from throughout the Asia-Pacific region will also be presenting at the conference. A full agenda with speaker details is attached.