The DKKV is…
German Committee for Disaster Risk Reduction e.V.(ger.: Deutsches Komitee Katastrophenvorsorge e.V.)
Newsblog
Air Quality 2024: Limits Met, Further Reductions Required
Air quality measures in Germany have shown early success: In 2024, the entire set of limits in the European Air Quality Directive was met for the first time. Fine particulate matter levels have remained below the standards for the seventh consecutive year, and the...
Statewide Warning Day in NRW
On March 13, 2025, the first warning day of the year will take place in North Rhine-Westphalia. At 11 a.m., sirens will sound across the state, announcements will be made over loudspeakers, and warning messages will be distributed via social media and digital...
IRDR Survey: Gender Equality in Disaster Risk Reduction
Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) is presenting a survey to assess progress in overcoming gender inequalities in disaster risk reduction. Last year, insights were already gathered from female scientists through the IRDR Young Scientists Programme. Now, the...
First Signatures: Position Paper on Civil Protection
Given the current geopolitical situation, particularly the war in Ukraine and the political change in the United States, the urgency of improving German civil protection becomes particularly clear. The geopolitical events and the associated shift in the international...
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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.