Countries: World, Uzbekistan Source: UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Geneva, 28 April 2026 — As the world prepares to mark the first commemoration of the International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes on 29 April, the United Nations is calling on governments, cities, schools and workplaces to take part in the global campaign ‘Drop. Cover. Hold On.’ Led by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the campaign promotes simple, life-saving actions to take during an earthquake and encourages the conduct of earthquake drills at least twice a year, including on 29 April, to help make safe behaviour an automatic reflex when the ground begins to shake. The International Day, designated by the United Nations General Assembly last year and observed annually on 29 April, honours the victims of earthquakes while renewing global commitment to preventing future tragedies through stronger disaster resilience. In a message marking the first observance, United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, highlighted the devastating impact of earthquakes: ‘ Earthquakes are one of nature’s deadliest hazards. In seconds, they can turn homes into ruins, undo decades of progress and claim thousands of lives ,’ adding that while ‘ earthquakes are inevitable, the devastation they cause does not have to be .’ Earthquakes are among the deadliest natural hazards. In the first two decades of this century, earthquakes — and resulting tsunamis — were responsible for nearly 60 per cent of all disaster-related deaths. Yet it is not the shaking of the ground that causes most fatalities, but the collapse of homes, buildings and infrastructure that are not built to withstand seismic risk. This makes resilience building through better planning, enforcement of building codes, and stronger risk awareness essential to reducing earthquake deaths and economic losses. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Head of UNDRR, Kamal Kishore, underscored the dual purpose of the Day in a statement issued ahead of the observance: ‘ This day highlights two central themes: remembrance and resilience. Remembrance for all those we have lost, and for all who continue to carry the physical, emotional and economic scars of earthquake disasters. And resilience building to ensure that earthquakes do not claim lives, destroy homes, disrupt economies or bring down hard-won development gains .’ Commemoration events marking the Day will take place in several locations. Uzbekistan, which championed the establishment of the International Day, will host an observance in Tashkent. The event will be attended by Special Representative Kishore and will include a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of Courage, built in memory of the victims of the devastating 1966 earthquake. An additional commemoration event, organised by UNDRR, will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. As part of this event, an earthquake drill that is open to all staff will be conducted in cooperation with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security and New York City authorities. The International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes provides an annual opportunity for remembrance and renewed commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods from earthquake disasters. It also reinforces the priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, which calls for understanding disaster risk, risk-informed planning, investing in resilience and enhancing preparedness to ‘build back better’ after disasters. About the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR): UNDRR is the lead agency in the United Nations on disaster risk reduction. It provides leadership, expertise and tools to enable countries to understand and act on disaster risks before they become disasters. UNDRR’s work is guided by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, which aims to achieve a substantial reduction in disaster risk and losses by 2030. Contact: For media requests, please send us an email.