WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance Thomas H. Staal will travel to Sendai, Japan from March 14 to 18 to participate in the 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. Staal will lead the U.S. delegation composed of eight U.S. government agencies and participate in high level events and meetings with leaders from foreign governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and major groups.

On March 15, Staal will participate in a side event hosted by the U.S. Government entitledU.S. Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives - An Opportunity to Build Resilience. The panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Dennis Wenger from the National Science Foundation, will include representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the U.S. Postal Service. Staal will discuss USAID's efforts to help communities prevent or reduce the damage caused by natural hazards like earthquakes, floods, droughts, and storms, and to build resilience to recurring disasters. Staal will also speak in side events hosted by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the Organizing Committee of the Children and Youth Forum at Sendai.