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The ILO response to disasters

28 July 2017

The ILO supports the reconstruction of societies affected by recurrent disasters through promoting decent work, enhancing preparedness, mitigating potential impacts and increasing resilience.

In disaster scenarios the ILO provides support to its constituents by contributing to disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and recovery with a focus on employment creation, income generation, protection of vulnerable livelihoods and promotion of sustainable local development. 

The ILO works to develop the capacity of key institutions, such as economic and labour ministries, workers’ and employers’ organizations, in order to:
  • support quick recovery in the aftermath of disasters focusing on employment creation;
  • introduce policies and programmes focusing on preparedness and planning for livelihood recovery; 
  • implement active measures for reducing livelihood vulnerabilities and risks in disaster-prone areas.
The ILO is a partner of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and works in partnership with other UN and multilateral agencies. By mobilizing relevant actors for reconstruction, crises can open a window of opportunity to promote decent work for a better future.

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