Living with risk: a global review of disaster reduction initiatives

This book provides guidance, policy orientation and inspiration, as well as serving as a reference for lessons on how to reduce risk and vulnerability to hazards and to meet the challenges of tomorrow. It is intended for people who have an interest in and practice disaster risk management and sustainable development.

Natural hazards can affect anyone, anywhere. People are threatened by hazards because of their social, economic and environmental vulnerability, which must be taken into account if sustainable development is not to be achieved. Disaster risk reduction therefore concerns everyone, from villagers to heads of states, from bankers and lawyers to farmers and foresters, from meteorologists to media chiefs. This book brings to light the urgent need for action to be taken and the people who are doing so towards building sustainable societies in an increasingly disaster-prone world.