The observance began in 1989 following a call from the UN General Assembly for a day dedicated to promoting a global culture of risk awareness and disaster reduction, establishing October 13 as its annual date. The day highlights the efforts of communities and governments worldwide to reduce their exposure to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes through early warning systems, safe urban planning, and resilient infrastructure. It is closely tied to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, adopted by the UN in 2015 as the global action plan in this field. UN agencies and local governments mark the day through emergency simulation drills, awareness campaigns targeting schools and at-risk communities, and discussions on how climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of natural disasters.