Knowledge Base highlights and editors' picks

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Every week the PreventionWeb team of editors selects the latest news and research, reports and publications on disaster risk reduction – here is their selection of the latest must-read content.

Press release

13 October 2022

UN warns that half the world is not prepared for disasters

A report from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that half of the countries globally are not protected by Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Blog

13 Oct 2022

Women leaders and early warning systems

The primary goal of disaster risk reduction is prevention. But when that is not possible, then it is important to minimize the harm to people, assets and livelihoods through early warning systems.

A photo of several women in lab coats and face masks making face masks in a UNDP workshop in Iran.

Blog

12 Oct 2022

Beth Allen - UNDP Boukje Kistemake - UNDP

What if early warning systems are held back by the affordability of early action?

This blog reflects on the implications of structural inequalities for early warning, and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the affordability of early action for all.

Documents and publications

11 October 2022

Epidemics that didn't happen - Prevent epidemics

This report shares inspiring stories of epidemics that didn’t happen, or whose impact was lessened, because of careful planning and swift strategic action.

Photo of a woman wearing COVID-19 protective clothing, holding a loudspeaker walking along queuing people in Bangladesh.

Blog

12 Oct 2022

Sára Csapó - UNDP Giordano Margaglio - UNDP

What if early warning is the path to preparedness for the next pandemic?

This blog story presents a scenario in which early warning systems become the path to preparedness for the next pandemic.

Documents and publications

11 October 2022

Twin clouds on he horizon: Averting a combined climate and debt crisis in the Pacific through locally-delivered climate finance

This report looks in detail at debt, climate change and their combined impacts on the Pacific region.

Satellite image of Hurrican Ian heading towards Florida, USA.

Update

7 October 2022

New satellite mapping with AI can quickly pinpoint hurricane damage across an entire state to spot where people may be trapped

Hurricane Ian left an extraordinarily broad path of destruction across much of South Florida. That was evident in reports from the ground, but it also shows up in satellite data.

Conversation Media Group, the

This image shows a tiny fishing community with red colored houses next to the arctic ocean during wintertime with snow, in northern Norway called Bugoynes.

Research briefs

5 October 2022

Who has your back in a weather emergency?

When neighbors know who they can turn to during storms and heat waves, communities are more resilient to climate change. Tufts researchers are helping to build those social connections.

Tufts University

Update

7 October 2022

Should coastal communities rebuild or retreat after Hurricane Ian?

Hurricane Ian struck Florida on September 28 and the damages are still being tallied. It may turn out to be one of the most destructive storms ever recorded in U.S. history.

Columbia Climate School

Harnessing risk-informed data for disaster and climate resilience

Documents and publications

10 October 2022

Harnessing risk-informed data for disaster and climate resilience

Disaster and climate risks result from a complex interaction between hazard, exposure, and vulnerability in a broad context defined by socioeconomic, political, and ecological factors. We need to collect, store, analyse, and use risk-informed data.