ACT Alliance, Arigatou International, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Soka Gakkai International (SGI)and World Vision International have come together as the Asia Pacific Faith-Based Coalition for Sustainable Development to participate in the Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) from 3 – 6 July, 2018.
 
The Asia Pacific Faith-Based Coalition for Sustainable Development has developed a joint Statement emphasizing the role of FBOs in the localization of risk reduction, resilience building and humanitarian action in relation to disaster risk reduction.
 
The Statement reads, “They [FBOs] are always among the first responders in emergencies, providing shelter during evacuation and meeting other basic needs (i.e. food, water, clothing) of those affected. They have been sources of community-based and managed social capital for healing and recovery. Furthermore, FBOs are contributing substantial material, financial and social resources for risk prevention, reduction and humanitarian action worldwide, particularly in Asia.”
 
ACT has joined the coalition at the AMCDRR to further share and discuss the Statement. The coalition will host a side event and will exhibit its work at the ‘AMCDRR Marketplace’.“The Statement showcases the solidarity and commitment of the multi-faith community to work together on disaster risk reduction. The Coalition has collaborated closely on the Statement and we are happy to share it at the AMCDRR,” said James Munpa ACT’s Programme Officer for the Asia/Pacific region.
 
“In the Asian context, FBOs provide a source of community-based social capital for the most vulnerable in terms of risk prevention, risk reduction and humanitarian response,” continued James.
 
The Statement further emphasizes that FBOs are an asset for the effective implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) which places a strong focus on reducing the risk and protection gaps among the most vulnerable.
 
The full Statement is available here