UN urges stronger disaster resilience to honour earthquake victims

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged governments worldwide to step up investment in disaster resilience, saying it is essential to reduce the impact of future earthquakes and to honour those who have lost their lives in past disasters.

In a recent statement linked to global efforts to remember earthquake victims, Guterres stressed that while earthquakes cannot be prevented, their devastation can be significantly reduced through preparedness and long-term planning.

He highlighted the importance of stronger building codes, safer urban development, improved emergency response systems and early warning technologies. According to him, too many lives are still being lost because communities remain vulnerable to predictable natural hazards.

The UN chief also called for greater international cooperation, noting that developing countries often bear the heaviest burden when disasters strike due to limited infrastructure and resources. He said investment in resilience is not only a moral duty but also more cost-effective than rebuilding after destruction.

Guterres emphasised that remembering earthquake victims should go beyond ceremonies, adding that meaningful action must focus on preventing similar tragedies in the future.