Disaster Risk Reduction

Key Initiative 3.3:

Safeguarding documentary cultural heritage through Disaster Risk Reduction

We will continue developing the Risk Register with members and partners, including Blue Shield (ICBS) and UNESCO, to document library collections at risk or potential risk from natural and man-made crises, conflict or disaster.

In support of this we will build on synergies with the Blue Shield, UNESCO and possible external funders to benefit libraries in areas at risk from, or affected by, natural or man-made disasters. 

We will actively raise awareness within our members and partners about risk mitigation and disaster planning for documentary cultural heritage, particularly through advocating for the importance of incorporating Target 11.4 Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage of the United Nations' Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into national legislation and Development Plans.

Key Actions:

2018

• Get Into Blue Shield Guide (18 July)
• Disaster Risk Response – A brief on Libraries and the Sendai Framework (7 March)
• Restitution of Cultural Heritage – IFLA Calls on Europe to Act to Support Library Efforts (23 February)

2017

• Cultural Heritage at Risk: IFLA attends the UNESCO Meeting on Protection of Cultural Property in the event of Armed Conflict (8 December)
• Help Libraries Rebuild, Help Communities Recover (27 September)
• Libraries Central to Global Efforts to Save Heritage from Destruction: IFLA Secretary General Speaks at Blue Shield General Assembly (21 September)
• Culture and the SDGs - Culture Summit 2017 (12 May)
• Libraries safeguarding cultural heritage (10 May)

2015-2016

• UNESCO announces Athens as World Book Capital 2018 (14 September)
• Just launched: IFLA Risk Register for documentary heritage (August)

Last update: 3 December 2018