Words into Action (WiA)

Guide 04

Disaster preparedness contributes to saving lives and reducing economic losses

A key element of any effective disaster risk reduction strategy, preparedness can build and strengthen early warning systems, enhance public awareness and response capacities as well as improve understanding of roles and responsibilities in the event of a disaster.

This 2020 Words into Action guide on Enhancing Disaster Preparedness for Effective Response builds on and points to existing guidance and provides practical examples of risk-informed preparedness. Designed for all actors working to strengthen disaster preparedness, these guidelines offer valuable insights into national and local risk reduction strategies.

English

Disasters affected

68 million
people

in 2018

Source: UNCTAD

Resilience

$300 billion
annually

estimated cost of climate impacts by 2030

Source: DTV

International Aid

200 million
people every year

will need international humanitarian aid because of flood, stroms, droughts and wildfires by 2030

Enhancing disaster preparedness: 6 key steps

Designed for all actors working to strengthen disaster preparedness, this animation highlights 6 key steps UNDRR recommends to guide and support preparedness strategies at national, regional and local levels.

In focus: Barbuda preparedness + "Build Back Better"

Barbuda was the first to feel the force of Hurricane Irma in 2017. When the storm made landfall, it hit the island at about 185mph, damaging an estimated 90% of the island's properties. Find out what Barbuda learned from the catastrophe and how the nation is taking steps enhance preparedness.

Bergen
Interview with Hans ten Bergen (The Masa group)
Simulations help optimize response and reduce risk by testing and measuring different strategies, leading to higher levels of preparedness. As disasters increase in frequency and intensity around the world, Artificial Intelligence has a role to play in informing response strategies.
Q&A
Q&A with Sameh Wahba (The World Bank)
It is essential to help country leaders understand the value of improving emergency preparedness and response and investing in upgrades to their systems' capabilities and capacities.

Success stories

WiA
India: tsunami community preparedness
Since the deadly 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, India has established an early warning system and preparedness drills. When Super Cyclone Phailin hit in 2013, the state of awareness and preparedness was such that few lives were lost.
WiA
El Salvador: risk-informed decision-making
Disaster risk reduction programme PRVAS brought communities into dialogue with local and national governments leading to strong engagement, community capacity building and collaborative disaster preparedness exercises.
WiA
Fiji: beyond Early Warning and response
Flooding in Navua, Fiji, caused extensive damage resulting in hundreds of people losing their homes and belongings. Taking a long-term approach, the UNDP helped develop early warning systems, identify vulnerabilities and create action plans.

Resources

A collection of selected preparedness guidance is part of the Words Into Action: Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response.

See the collection