Since 1980 1.6 billion people have been killed in disasters (UNISDR, 2015a). The key to understanding disaster risk is by recognizing that disasters are an indicator of development failures, meaning that disaster risk is a measure of the sustainability of development. We can prevent future risk, reduce existing risk and support the resilience and societies in the face of risk that cannot be effectively reduced (known as residual risk) (UNISDR, 2015a). Disaster risk is therefore a problem for people, businesses and governments alike. When disasters disrupt port operations, they can cause significant economic losses on a global scale.
This article explores how forecasting disease outbreaks and Forecast-based Action can be brought together to strengthen early action for epidemics. While evacuation saves lives, many people choose not to leave when faced with a disaster. US: Homes are flooding outside FEMAâs 100-year flood zones, Assessing and disclosing climate-related financial risks, Half a degree matters to curb disaster risk, The 9th MEFIN public private dialogue (PPD9) on de-risking climate and pandemic disasters, Ghana quiz competition to celebrate the 2020 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), International meeting on the 40th anniversary of the 1980 earthquake: a week of reflection, Interview: Strengthening resilience in Central Asia, Five innovations for a resilient built environment in Africa, Harnessing the knowledge of indigenous communities for DRR, Practical guidance to support the implementation of the Sendai Framework, Global compendium of good practices on post-disaster recovery, Engaging with local faith actors and communities: a toolkit, Share your Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments. Hazard, vulnerability and exposure are influenced by a number of risk drivers, including poverty and inequality, badly planned and managed urban and regional development, climate change and environmental degradation (UNISDR, 2009a, 2011, 2013 and 2015a). Grid resilience can help ensure that power disruptions are minimal and do not affect critical services. These resources explore the multiple factors influencing the decision to evacuate. Disaster risk is expressed as the likelihood of loss of life, injury or destruction and damage from a disaster in a given period of time. Disasters can damage or entirely destroy bridges and cause widespread destruction and social mayhem. As such, they provide a more comprehensive picture of the full spectrum of future risks than is possible with historical data (UNISDR, 2015a). Anticipating rare events requires a range of information and interdisciplinary findings, along with scenario building and simulations, which can be supplemented by expertise from a wide range of disciplines. Although often used interchangeably with DRR, disaster risk management (DRM) can be thought of as the implementation of DRR, since it describes the actions that aim to achieve the objective of reducing risk. When performed at the national level, risk assessments range from qualitative national risk profiles for advocacy purposes to the quantitative assessment of risk to inform countries financial strategies for addressing the accumulating risks. Spread the word on the benefits of DRR with our social media advocacy package. Understanding Disaster Risk Hazards do not have to turn into disasters.
", we need a better understanding of disaster risk… Modern approaches to risk assessment include risk modelling, which came into being when computational resources became more powerful and available (GFDRR, 2014a). In most economies 70-85% of overall investment is made by the private sector, which generally does not consider disaster risk in its portfolio of risks (UNISDR, 2013). ", we need a better understanding of disaster risk, in all its dimensions.
Trend analysis helps us to understand patterns of disaster risk and, consequently, whether disaster risk reduction is being effective. Increases in extensive disaster loss and damage is evidence that disaster risk is an indicator of failed or skewed development, of unsustainable economic and social processes, and of ill-adapted societies (UNISDR, 2015a). As the past several decades of research have demonstrated, disasters particularly affect the poorest and most marginalised people, whilst also exacerbating vulnerabilities and social inequalities and harming economic growth (Mitchell et al., 2014). This collection analyses the nexus between disasters, conflicts and fragility. The convergence of public and private sector risk modelling efforts promises to increase the availability of open access, open source risk information that can be used by business, government, insurance and citizens alike (UNISDR, 2013).