Climate change coupled with poorly planned water management pose significant threats for water quality and water related disaster in the urban areas. This has potential consequences for human health, livelihoods, and assets, especially for the urban poor, informal settlements, and other vulnerable groups. Over the past twenty years, there has been a sustained rise and frequency in the number of climate-related disasters such as floods and droughts. A large part of disaster risk is directly or indirectly linked to water. It is estimated that the global average annual loss from disasters will increase from an annual average of US$ 260 billion in 2015 to US$ 414 billion by 2030 (Word into Action: Implementation Guide for Addressing Water- Related Disasters and Transboundary Cooperation: Integrating Disaster Risk Management with Water Management and Climate Change Adaptation, is part of the Words into Action. UNISDR,
2018). This puts at risk economic growth, poverty reduction, peace, and more generally, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Water-related disasters account for almost 90% of the 1,000 most disastrous events that have taken place since 1990 (UNISDR, 2017). Climate change is a key driver that exacerbates water-related risks and slow-onset disasters. The impacts of severe hydro-meteorological events,
including water-related disasters, result in multiple casualties and significant damage to devastating stroke. The poor and vulnerable, particularly women and girls, and vulnerable populations in regions where risks may exacerbate, fragility, conflict or forced displacement and affect peace and security, suffer most. Economic and environmental losses associated with water-related hazards are on the rise globally. Countries, communities and individuals are called upon to step up their investments in resilience and address underlying drivers of disaster risk; including climate change and unsustainable management of land and water resources.
It is envisaged that this session will contribute to sharing information, best practices, tools and approaches used to develop strategies towards water-secure urban settlements from disaster risks.