The DKKV is…
German Committee for Disaster Reduction e.V. (ger.: Deutsches Komitee Katastrophenvorsorge e.V.)
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Else Kröner Fresenius Prize for Medical Development Cooperation 2025: Award for mobile clinics
The Else Kröner Fresenius Prize for Medical Development Cooperation is awarded annually to projects that improve healthcare in developing countries in a sustainable manner. The prize, that comes with a € 100,000 prize money, recognises both the quality and innovative...
FLORIAN 2025: Leading trade fair for firefighting, civil protection and disaster control in Dresden
FLORIAN, Germany's leading trade fair for firefighting, rescue services, disaster control and civil protection, will take place in Dresden from 9 to 11 October 2025. Experts from all over Europe will gather to learn about the latest technology, vehicles, protective...
Federal Interior Minister Dobrindt wants to strengthen disaster prevention with billions of euros
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt wants to comprehensively modernise civil protection and disaster control and has announced a ‘civil protection pact’. Around ten billion euros are to be invested in new vehicles, shelters, equipment and digital warning...
Call for Applications: Master of Science Programme „Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security“
The Department of Geography at the University of Bonn (GIUB) and the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security are now accepting applications for the international joint master's programme ‘Geography of Environmental Risks and Human...
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What is disaster risk reduction?
Storms, natural hazards and extreme events can quickly become a danger to people and the environment. But climate change, extreme urbanization, power outages and fires also offer potential hazards.
A disaster occurs when the functioning of a community or society is impaired or interrupted and, as a result, high human, material, economic and ecological losses occur that cannot be managed alone.
Precautionary measures can help to reduce the consequences and impact of the disaster. Depending on the hazard and personal circumstances, the precautionary measures to be taken may vary.
Find out more about potential hazards and individual precautionary measures on our topic pages.