#ActNow, Save Later: new UN social media campaign launched

Since the year 2000, almost 1 million people have lost their lives to disasters caused by natural hazards. 2 billion people have been affected. 1 trillion dollars in damage was caused.

The Act Now, Save Later campaign– a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) – sheds light the exorbitant cost of recovery assistance following natural disasters, and urges wealthy nations to spend now in order to save later.

The social media campaign calls on member states to boost funding for disaster preparedness in order to significantly reduce the often devastating economic impact that floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters have particularly on developing nations.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the stark economic and human costs of natural disasters. Not only have natural disasters killed more than a million people and affected over a quarter of the global population since 2000; they have also cost the world upwards of US$1 trillion.

“Investing in preparedness saves thousands of lives and billions of dollars later,” said Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator.

The campaign’s animated video draws attention to the fact that every single dollar of aid spent on preventing and mitigating disasters saves an average of seven dollars in humanitarian disaster response. The video – which features colorful imagery produced by New York-based company Ataboy – also calls on the global community to help raise awareness of disaster prevention needs by sharing the video via social media platforms, for example by using the hashtag #actnow on Twitter.

Currently, the international community spends only 1% of aid on disaster preparedness, despite it being an important investment against natural hazards. Not only does it provide the humanitarian community with valuable time when disasters strike, but it gives vulnerable people a buffer against repeated crises, which can push them further into poverty.

Join the campaign: www.actnowsavelater.org | use #actnow in your tweets.

Useful links:

• Read more information about UNDP - supported disaster risk management activities
• Find out more about OCHA
• Play Stop Disasters - the Game - a great disaster simulation game to help learn how you can prevent disasters from happening. More UN Games...
• Donate for preparedness - Every one dollar spent saves 7 dollars in emergency response
• Tips on essential steps that you can take to prepare for disasters
• Find out more about the World Ministerial Conference on Disaster Reduction

Source: UNDP Press Release