Latest news on Disaster Risk Reduction

This technical background paper discusses volcanic ash fall hazard modelling, implemented at the global and local scales (Napoli, Italy). These models are probabilistic whereas outputs are in the form of hazard maps and curves that show the probabilities associated with exceeding key hazard thresholds at the given locations.The...

The purpose of this document is to guide the development of strategic frameworks for managing data, information and knowledge relevant to sustainable development and the related areas of climate change and disaster risk management. This guidance is for governments, agencies, regional bodies and other organisations in the Pacific...

The following report explores three innovative approaches in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon, used by Vitas Group and Global Communities to successfully grow the financial inclusion sector in the Middle East over the last 20 years, despite the region’s persistent political and economic instability.The related projects are: the development of community-...

GE is partnering with Sam Cossman and the Nicaraguan government to install about 80 wireless sensors inside one of the country's active volcanoes. The sensors will gather real-time data about Masaya's temperature, atmospheric pressure, gravity, and the variety of different gasses. The data will be transmitted to Predix, an open-source database - and...

Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Colorado State University and XL Catlin have launched a new website to track seasonal hurricane forecasts and the evolution of hurricane activity. It was created to pool predictions by the main centers carrying out forecasts on the hurricane season, usually from early June to late November, and to make them available...

This country note is produced as part of The Pacific Catastrophe Risk Assessment and Financing Initiative (PCRAFI). The geographic spread of the Cook Islands poses logistical problems for any necessary post-disaster relief and response efforts. However, the it also has a proactive approach to disaster risk financing and  insurance (DRFI), which...

This publication makes a case for Flood Early Warking Systems (FEWSs) in delivering actionable information to the most vulnerable to floods. Based on Practical Action's work in Nepal and Bangladesh, the author argues that FEWSs must be locally owned to sustain resilience gains.They key learnings presented in this document are: Ensuring that all...

This publication discusses the importance of understanding risk, especially future risks from climate change, in decision-making on infrastructure investment. It highlights the need to accommodate greater uncertainty and draw on data from climate modelling and presents new approaches that can facilitate this.The document proposes the following: Infrastructure...

This issue of HazNet, the magazine of the Canadian Risks and Hazards Network, focuses on the vital role of volunteers in emergency management and building community disaster resilience. The publication notes that mechanisms to manage surge capacity and supporting  frameworks to enable volunteer support during events are...

This paper presents results from a climate adaptation research project undertaken in Toulouse (France) in 2015. While city and building designers could be pivotal actors, they have yet to fully take on this role. Research can support adaptation action through greater collaboration with practitioners and a better understanding of their knowledge and...