The Jamaica Red Cross in recognition of International Disaster Risk Reduction Day on October 13 hosted a forum under the theme "Learning from Today's Disasters for Tomorrow's Hazards."

The forum, which was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, provided the avenue for discussions from a local perspective on disaster risk reduction. Topics included the economic and social implications involved as well as existing methodologies and their strengths in risk reduction at the community and national levels.

The forum saw representatives from the Office of Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management (ODPEM), including Dr. Barbara Carby who was the main contributor; the Water Resource Authority (W.R.A); the Jamaica Agricultural Society (J.A.S) and the Social Development Commission (S.D.C). Also in attendance were representatives from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); United States Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D) - O.F.D.A and Supreme Ventures Limited, major contributors to the Jamaica Red Cross hurricane relief efforts.

At the forum, the Jamaica Red Cross also launched the 2004 Edition of the World Disasters Report produced by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Dr. Barbara Carby in her main address spoke to the need for " transforming talk into action." She pointed out that after Hurricane Gilbert, there were many discussions on reducing disaster risks, however these discussions and plans subsided eventually without any real action. She encouraged all relevant parties to prevent a repetition of this problem in the aftermath of Ivan.

Director General of the Jamaica Red Cross, Yvonne Clarke, in delivering the Disaster Risk Reduction key messages, highlighted that "disaster risk reduction .includes everything we can do before a disaster strikes to protect lives, limit damage and to help society recover after the event." She pointed out that "minimizing the effects of natural hazards on vulnerable people saves lives, protects livelihoods and is value for money."

From a global perspective, disasters claimed the lives of over 76,000 people worldwide, have affected 254 million and caused economic losses of over US$55 billion in 2003 alone.

International Disaster Risk Reduction Day is usually observed on the third Wednesday in October every year. The Jamaica Red Cross as a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and as a disaster and emergency response organization seeks to "improve the lives of the most vulnerable by mobilizing critical resources and promoting humanitarian activities."