New Website Spotlights Inadequacy of Building Codes and Lack of Public Transparency, Introduces Resilience Halls of Fame and Shame

Miami, Florida, April 4, 2016 (Newswire.com) - ​​​​​​​​Resilience Action Fund (‘RAF’) announces the launch of its new website (www.buildingresilient.com). The site aims to inform homeowners, tenants and businesses in a jargon-free easy-to-understand language, on the many unknowns and misconceptions regarding natural hazard risks, the limited protection offered by building codes, the challenges of private and public insurance and the importance of consumer choices. It addresses the gap created by inadequate public disclosure and education by both governments and the building/property industry on the hazard resistance of homes and buildings.

RAF’s overall mission is to advance awareness, transparency and education for greater resilience in the built environment. Global statistics by the UN International Strategy on Disaster Reduction indicate that average annual economic losses from natural disasters have escalated in recent decades and now exceed $300 billion, with the US ranking #1 (worse). A year ago 187 nations signed the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: 2015-2030, committing to act on ‘building back better’ and ‘building better from the start’. Though its scope is broader than climate, this milestone agree­ment is referenced in the COP21 Paris Agreement, which contained the strong­est ever call for climate adaptation.

As the first 'resilience public watchdog', RAF shines a spotlight on those who have gone the extra mile, versus those who failed to act in the interest of disaster resilience. The public is invited to engage in an open discourse, nominate candidates and propose editions for both Halls.

Aris Papadopoulos, Founder and Chair, Resilience Action Fund

The website will continue to be enriched with content, including RAF’s programs that are organized along four axes: Publications, Education, Research and Action. In addition to information, resources, news and analyses, the site debuts two ‘Halls of Resilience’: a ‘Hall of Fame’ and a ‘Hall of Shame’. "As the first ‘resilience public watchdog’, RAF shines a spotlight on those who have gone the extra mile, versus those who failed to act in the interest of disaster resilience", noted RAF's founder and chair, Aris Papadopoulos. He added, "The public is invited to engage in an open discourse, nominate candidates and propose editions for both Halls".

Finally in RAF’s role as publisher, the site enables viewers to order the 2nd edition of the book ‘Resilience: The Ultimate Sustainability – Lessons from Failing to Develop a Stronger and Safer Built Environment’, authored by Aris Papadopoulos. All book proceeds go to RAF.

Resilience Action Fund is a US 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2015. Resilience Action Fund (International) is a UK charity company established in 2016. Both share the mission of advancing awareness, transparency and education for greater resilience in the built environment against natural and other hazards. The mission is closely aligned with the goals of the UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: 2015-2030, signed in 2015 by 187 countries. For more information please contact: [email protected]