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German Committee for Disaster Reduction e.V. (ger.: Deutsches Komitee Katastrophenvorsorge e.V.)
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RESILIENT VOICES: Take part in surveys on inclusive disaster risk reduction
As part of the EU-funded Erasmus Plus project RESILIENT VOICES, two new surveys on disaster preparedness have been launched. The aim is to gain a better understanding of how different population groups perceive risks such as storms, floods or heatwaves, and what...
DKKV Promotional Award 2026 now open for submissions
The German Committee for Disaster Reduction (DKKV) is once again announcing its annual award for 2026. The award recognises outstanding Bachelor’s and Master’s theses in the field of disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management. The award is aimed in...
Five Years After the 2021 Flood—Changing Research Perspectives
From July 2 to 4, 2026, the conference “Five Years After the 2021 Flood—Changing Research Perspectives” took place on the Remagen campus. Together with numerous partner institutions from academia, the professional sector, and disaster preparedness, participants...
World Bank: Disasters Jeopardize About 90 Million Jobs Annually
A recent World Bank analysis shows that natural disasters and extreme heat cost the world about 90 million full-time job equivalents each year. Workers in agriculture, construction, and other climate-sensitive sectors are particularly affected. In addition to the...
New Topic Page on CBRN Hazards released
The DKKV’s thematic pages present key topics in the fields of natural hazards and civil protection, as well as various approaches, concepts, crises and other threats, in a scientifically sound and visually engaging manner. The new page on CBRN hazards provides a...
GNDR launches Strategic Roadmap for Localising Early Warning Systems
The Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR) yesterday unveiled a new strategic roadmap to strengthen local early warning systems. The aim is to tailor early warning and preparedness measures more closely to the needs of vulnerable...
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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 urbanisation, 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.