6. International Recovery Platform (IRP): History and Current Activities

6. International Recovery Platform (IRP):
History and Current Activities
6-1. The Establishment of IRP
While the capacity of the UN system for disaster response and humanitarian assistance arewidely recognized, there is currently a vacuum in terms of the UN's capacity and system-widemechanisms for post-disaster recovery efforts, particularly those with a risk reduction focus.
Experience increasingly affirms that the post-disaster recovery phase provides a critical
opportunity to shift the focus from saving lives to restoring livelihoods, and is an important time
for introducing measures to reduce future disaster risk. Effective recovery can help close the gap
between relief and development, and can transform disasters into opportunities for sustainable
development. This occurs when efforts are made to support local and national recovery processes
at an early stage, when risk reduction considerations are factored into all recovery activities, andwhen the synergies between development, humanitarian, and other actors involved in the response
phases are properly channeled. A successful recovery effort, then, is predicated on having advanceagreements and mechanisms in place so that the recovery process is effectively conceived andmanaged, and is initiated in a timely manner. This includes such measures as appropriate
assessment methodologies, pre-established resource mobilization mechanisms, surge capacity tosupport UN Country Teams, and standing coordination mechanisms.
Shared concerns related to the UN approach and processes for post-disaster recovery haveresulted in the formulation of a joint initiative, the International Recovery Platform (IRP), by theUN system, ADRC, and other partners, with the encouragement and support of Japan as well asother donors and key program countries. This initiative was discussed at the 2005 UN World
Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR) during session 4.9 on Post Disaster Recovery.
Representatives from the ADRC, UNDP, UN-HABITAT, ILO, and other concerned UN agencies
expressed their respective agency commitments and support for the proposed international
platform for recovery. The meeting resulted in a recommendation for the establishment of theInternational Recovery Platform (IRP).
In four months after the WCDR, the International Seminar on Post Disaster Recovery, in
support of IRP, was held at Hyogo House on 11-13 May 2005. IRP was officially established inKobe.

6-2. The Governance Structure of IRP
IRP consists of 17 governments, UN agencies, and international organizations including ADRC
(as of March 31 2018).* IRP focuses on the following three priority activities for recovery: (a)Knowledge Management and Advocacy, (b) Training and Capacity Building and (c) Enhancing
Recovery Operations.
As described in IRP Strategic Framework 2015-2020, IRP Secretariat is located in Kobe andresponsible for convening IRP Steering Committee meetings and disseminating information on57

IRP activities and knowledge products.
* IRP members: Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC),
Cabinet Office of Japan, Centro de Coordinación para la Prevención de losDesastres Naturales en América Central (CEPREDENAC), Hyogo PrefecturalGovernment, International Labour Organization (ILO), Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Italy, Swiss Agency for Development and Coordination (SDC), theWorld Bank, United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD),
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Educational, Scientific andCultural Organization (UNESCO) ,United Nations Human Settlements
Programme (UN-HABITAT), United Nations International Strategy for
Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), United Nations Office for Project Services(UNOPS), World Health Organization (WHO).

6-3. IRP Activities in FY 2017
6-3-1. International Recovery Forum 201８
Introduction
The discussions at the Forum revolved around “Build Back Better for Urban Resilience”,
wherein experts, scientists, practitioners, and public and private officials served as resource
persons. The outcomes highlighted a forward-looking perspective of “Build Back Better inRecovery” that encourages cities to directly address the challenges they are facing today, as
these greatly contribute to vulnerability that will make future recovery efforts difficult. It also
pointed that the “people’s process” approach in disaster recovery (which has been tested inmany communities worldwide) may take time during the planning phase, but it can offer speedy
implementation of activities when properly applied. However, it should not end there.
Resilience implies consistent action – always looking forward and not back – to prepare
towards the future: to build forward better.
The Forum was opened by Mr. Stefan Kohler, UNOPS Country Manager for Bangladesh
and Chair of IRP Steering Committee, and followed respectively by the welcome remarks fromMr. Mamoru Maekawa, Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination of Cabinet Office Governmentof Japan, and Mr. Kazuo Kanazawa,Vice Governor of Hyogo Prefecture, on
behalf of Governor Toshizo Ido. All theremarks highlighted the important roleof IRP in coordinating and sharing
knowledge

on

build

backbetter,including the lessons from the Great East
Japan Earthquake of 2011 and the Great

Fig.6-3-1. International Recovery Forum 2018

Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995.

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