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German Committee for Disaster Reduction e.V. (ger.: Deutsches Komitee Katastrophenvorsorge e.V.)

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New UNDRR STrategy for 2026-2030

New UNDRR STrategy for 2026-2030

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) has presented its new Strategic Framework for the years 2026 to 2030. The aim of the document is to significantly accelerate the implementation of the Sendai Framework in its final five years. The new...

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Severe flooding and landslides in South and Southeast Asia

Severe flooding and landslides in South and Southeast Asia

Cyclone Ditwah brought heavy rainfall to South and Southeast Asia [2,4]. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand were particularly affected, with the death toll now exceeding 900 [4]. On the Indonesian island of Sumatra, days of exceptionally heavy rainfall have also led...

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COP30 in BEléM

COP30 in BEléM

COP30 in Belém has come to an end. Dr. Friedrich Bohn, environmental systems analyst and representative of the DKKV, accompanied the negotiations on site and provides insights into the key outcomes. While discussions were extensive, a decisive breakthrough did not...

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Cop30 – German Climate Pavilion

Cop30 – German Climate Pavilion

COP30 in Belém is in full swing. On 19 November (19:00–21:00, Belém local time; Germany -4 hours), the "Science for Action Evening" will take place. Under the title “International cooperation in climate change research: building data, trust, and momentum for change”,...

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Zweitwärmster Mai aller Zeiten: Der vergangene Monat war weltweit der zweitwärmste Mai seit Beginn der Aufzeichnungen. Daten des EU-Erdbeobachtungsprogramm Copernicus zeigen, dass Europa eine ungewöhnlich frühe Hitzewelle erlebte. Mehr: dkkv.org/zweitwaermst...
10.06 2026 - 11:24
Weiträumiger Stromausfall in Reutlingen: Dadurch waren rund 7.600 Haushalte ohne Strom, auch ein Krankenhaus war betroffen. Neben der 120.000-Einwohner-Stadt Reutlingen waren auch Teile der benachbarten Gemeinden ohne Stromversorgung.  Mehr: www.zeit.de/gesellschaft...
09.06 2026 - 08:32
CIDR-Talk „From Knowledge to Action“ am 24.06. Dr. Ayse Yildiz von der University of Leicester (GB) spricht über das Thema: „From Knowledge to Action: Why Disaster and Climate Education Often Fails and How We Can Fix It.“ Mehr: dkkv.org/veranstaltun...
09.06 2026 - 07:57
Neuer Ausbildungsfyler der Akademie für Hochwasserschutz: Neben Ausbildungen zum/zur Fachberater:in Hochwasser und Starkregen gibt es auch Aufbaulehrgänge und Lehrgänge zur Deichverteidigung. Mehr: dkkv.org/neuer-ausbil...
08.06 2026 - 11:23
Aufruf zur Beteiligung am #Hazards-Media-Toolkit: Der International Science Council (ISC) und das UN-Büro für Katastrophenvorsorge (UNDRR) starten ein #Pilotprojekt zur Entwicklung eines neuen „Hazards Media Toolkit“. Mehr: dkkv.org/aufruf-zur-b...
08.06 2026 - 08:16

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.