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 sustainabledevelopment. 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, insupport 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 16 governments, UN agencies, and international organizations including ADRC
(as of March 31 2017).* 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 and66

6. The International Recovery Platform (IRP): History and Current Activities
responsible for convening IRP Steering Committee meetings and disseminating information onIRP 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
Prefectural Government, International Labour Organization (ILO), Ministryof Foreign Affairs of Italy, Swiss Agency for Development andCoordination (SDC), the World Bank, United Nations Centre for Regional
Development (UNCRD), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations HumanSettlements 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 2016
6-3-1. “International Recovery Forum 2017”“International Recovery Forum 2017 ~ Build Back Better Towards Resilient and HealthyCommunities ~” was organized on 24 January 2017 at Hotel Okura in Kobe, Japan. It gathered
over 140 participants from 33 countries, including government officials, practitioners, experts,policymakers, and students.
Background
Health is recognized in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, inthe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and in many other landmark internationalframeworks and agreements – indicating the urgency of addressing the complex challenges
and gaps along this area. Mandated to act as an international mechanism for sharing ofexperiences and learning on build back better among countries and all relevant stakeholders,
IRP adopted “Build Back Better Towards Resilient and Healthy Communities” as theoverarching theme of the International Recovery Forum 2017.
Objectives
The main objectives of the Forum are:
Explore how “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction can beaddressed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; andExplore knowledge and understanding of “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation,and reconstruction through sharing of country experiences; andExplore strategies and actions on health in the context of “Build Back Better” throughsharing experiences on integration health agenda into disaster recovery, including
consulting on the updated edition of Guidance Note on Recovery for Health.

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