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

Newsblog

Opening of the new AI centre at the German Weather Service

Opening of the new AI centre at the German Weather Service

The German Weather Service (DWD) has opened its new AI centre in Offenbach to make targeted use of artificial intelligence for weather and climate applications. The centre combines internal and external expertise and is developing, among other things, a modular AI...

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Wildfire in France

Wildfire in France

France is currently experiencing its largest wildfire in more than 75 years. The fire spread rapidly in the south of the country in the mountainous Corbières region, affecting more than 16,000 hectares [1,2]. A total of 15 municipalities have been affected, numerous...

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Flash flood in the Himalayas

Flash flood in the Himalayas

Sudden and heavy rain caused landslides and flash floods in the Himalayas. The weather service had earlier issued a severe weather warning [1,2,3]. The village of Dharali in the state of Uttarakhand, located in the foothills of the Himalayas in north-eastern India and...

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New issue of the Disasters Avoided newsletter

New issue of the Disasters Avoided newsletter

The july issue of the Disasters Avoided Newsletter focuses on the central role of financing and insurance solutions in proactively reducing disaster risks. The newsletter features an interview with Cherie Gray, Global Lead of Sustainability & Market Development at...

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The DKKV on Bluesky
CEDIM legt DFA Task Force Report zur Hitzewelle im Juni vor: Der vorliegende Bericht untersucht die meteorologischen Ursachen der Hitzewelle und beleuchtet ihre Auswirkungen auf verschiedene natürliche und sozioökonomische Bereiche. Mehr: www.cedim.kit.edu/download/CED...
08.07 2026 - 12:59
DKKV Vorsitzender Leon Eckert MdB (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) zu Besuch im Zukunftslabor Sicherheit: Im Mittelpunkt stand die Frage wie vorausschauender Bevölkerungsschutz auf die unterschiedlichen Bedürfnisse einer vielfältigen Gesellschaft eingehen kann Mehr: dkkv.org/dkkv-vorsitz...
08.07 2026 - 10:16
Vulkan Ätna auf Sizilien ausgebrochen Mehr: dkkv.org/vulkan-aetna...
08.07 2026 - 10:02
Fokusgruppengespräch mit Seniorinnen in Buxtehude: Erfahrungen, Austausch und neue Perspektiven für die Katastrophenvorsorge Erasmus+ Projekt Resilient Voices Mehr: dkkv.org/fokusgruppen...
08.07 2026 - 09:31
Schwere Unwetter in China: Tote nach Fluten und Erdrutschen Heftige Regenfälle haben in mehreren Regionen Chinas verheerende Überschwemmungen und Erdrutsche ausgelöst. Mehr: dkkv.org/schwere-unwe...
07.07 2026 - 07:24

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.