Brussels, 31 October 2024
Tomorrow, Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management, will represent the EU at a G20 Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction in Belém, Brazil. The Commissioner will highlight the EU’s commitment to global efforts to reduce the impact of disasters and increase resilience, as the world faces more frequent and extreme weather events due to climate change. It will advocate for stronger action and greater investment to respond to and build resilience to natural hazards and man-made disasters, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable communities.
The Commissioner will also hold bilateral meetings, including with Mr Waldez Góes, Brazil’s Minister of Integration and Regional Development, to discuss EU-Brazil cooperation on disaster preparedness and response.
Commissioner Lenarcic said:
“With disasters further exacerbating existing inequalities, it is essential that disaster risk management focuses on the most vulnerable populations, who have the least means to cope. Only in this way can we ensure that no one is left behind.”
The EU, which is one of the largest humanitarian donors, is also the largest climate donor, with a contribution of more than €28 billion from public sources in 2022, while also mobilising almost €12 billion in private finance.