Blogs

Aftershocks: Remodeling the Past for a Resilient Future, a report and accompanying story map from the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), uses a combination of risk modeling and immersive storytelling to allow readers to better grasp the likely impacts of the iconic disasters of the past if they happened today.

Cultural heritage preservation is one of the four pillars of Gross National Happiness, the guiding philosophy of Bhutan’s development. In this context, the Royal Government of Bhutan has made it a priority to sustain both tangible and intangible aspects of its culture.

Local communities are mapping some of the world’s most vulnerable areas, not only easing the way for emergency responders when disaster strikes, but also helping cities and communities plan and build more resiliently for the future.

In an effort to provide a framework to guide the use of data in disaster risk management, (GFDRR)’s Open Data for Resilience Initiative has developed 10 principles that can be applied throughout a project’s life cycle to help ensure that risk data is used effectively for decision-making.

Post-disaster needs assessments (PDNAs) have transformed how we prepare for and respond to disaster. Here are five ways we can do PDNAs better.

Comprehensive land and geospatial systems can secure the resilient recovery of economic activities – by providing accessible and instant data on disaster impact, the value of losses, the beneficiaries, as well as the levels of appropriate compensation and required investment to restore activities.

These days we have more access to risk data and risk assessment than ever before about the mounting risks around us – from severe weather through to cyber-attacks – yet the pace at which people take action to manage these risks lags far behind.

Government in South Eastern Europe are now working together to improve climate and weather information exchanges across boundaries and strengthening regional early warning systems through the South-East European Multi-Hazard Early Warning Advisory System (SEE-MHEWS-A).

Seismic risk in East Africa is growing, driven by increasing exposure and unaddressed vulnerability. Practical efforts—national seismic risk zonation, building regulation, and enhanced designs for resilient infrastructure—will be more critical than ever in saving lives.

Bhutan is partnering with development institutions including the World Bank, to strengthen its hydrological and meteorological services and better preparedness for disasters.