International Awareness Day for Avoidable Deaths (IAD4AD)

IAD4AD is a worldwide campaign led by the Avoidable Deaths Network. It raises awareness about disaster deaths that never should occur.

The focus includes floods that overwhelm unprepared towns, heatwaves without early warnings, and road accidents on unsafe routes.

It also covers missing people and indirect losses, often ignored in official counts.

By drawing attention to these cases, the campaign urges leaders to design smarter local plans, protect vulnerable groups, and respond faster when crises strike.

Communities mark the day with focused actions. Schools run safety drills, health workers share advice on avoiding heat-related deaths, and city councils review emergency routes.

Online forums connect families who lost loved ones with experts working on solutions.

Public talks highlight simple changes, like stronger building codes or better warning systems, that save lives. These examples show that prevention is possible when knowledge and action meet.

How to Celebrate International Awareness Day for Avoidable Deaths (IAD4AD)

Participating in IAD4AD invites us all to take meaningful steps that help prevent avoidable disaster deaths.

Try one or more of these practical, people-centered ideas:

Host a Brief Talk

Invite a local expert or volunteer to speak about real dangers like road accidents or drowning risks. Keep the chat short and clear. Encourage questions.

Bring people together with stories that matter. This builds awareness one voice at a time.

Share a Personal Story

Learn about someone affected by a near-miss or indirect disaster loss. Ask for permission to share their words online or in a small group. Make it heartfelt.

That human touch helps others connect with the issue deeply.

Create a Mini Art Corner

Invite friends or neighbors to paint, write a few lines, or snap photos about avoiding deaths from hazards. Display work where people pass by. Creativity draws attention in a gentle, memorable way.

Run a Safety Quiz

Set up a quick quiz at school, workplace, or neighborhood gathering. Ask simple questions on safety steps for floods, heatwaves, or snakebite response. Offer small prizes.

It brings learning and awareness into a fun space.

Post One Clear Tip

Share a single, concrete survival tip on social media using the official campaign hashtag. It could be a warning sign for danger or a safety fix. That one message may save a life.

Link With a Local Group

Partner with a school, community center, or NGO to hold a day-long offer on first aid or safe travel. Train a small group to be safety spotters in everyday life. Communities gain stronger resilience.

History of International Awareness Day for Avoidable Deaths (IAD4AD)

International Awareness Day for Avoidable Deaths is a worldwide campaign that highlights how many lives can be saved with preparation.

The idea came from the Avoidable Deaths Network (ADN), a global research and advocacy group.

They saw the need to raise attention to deaths often overlooked, especially those caused by disasters where prevention could have made a difference.

The first official launch happened in March 2023. The city of Izumiotsu in Japan hosted the opening ceremony. That event gathered leaders, disaster experts, and local residents.

Together they shared knowledge, exchanged solutions, and called for stronger action to protect vulnerable groups. The gathering marked a turning point in how the world talks about preventable deaths.

ADN drove the effort, with strong leadership from Professor Nibedita Ray-Bennett at the University of Leicester.

She and her colleagues wanted to create a platform that gave equal weight to direct deaths, missing persons, and indirect losses.

They also pushed for partnerships between governments, communities, and international organizations. That shared responsibility remains central to the campaign’s message.

The inaugural launch featured participation from Dr Mami Mizutori, then head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Her presence gave the campaign international recognition. It also connected the new day with global frameworks aimed at reducing disaster risk worldwide.

IAD4AD continues to grow each year. Communities and institutions use it to remind the world that prevention saves lives. Each action taken on that day represents hope for safer futures.