The DKKV is…
German Committee for Disaster Reduction e.V. (ger.: Deutsches Komitee Katastrophenvorsorge e.V.)
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The majority of the population feels inadequately prepared for crises
A recent YouGov survey commissioned by Malteser Hilfsdienst shows that the majority of the German population does not feel adequately prepared for natural disasters, major incidents or armed conflicts. Almost 72 percent of respondents perceive the threat of war and...
Applications open for the Helping Hand 2025 award
From March 1, 2025, volunteers in civil protection can once again apply for the “Helping Hand” award, which is being presented by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI) for the 17th time. The application period ends on June 30, 2025. The prize is...
Power outage in Chile
On Tuesday afternoon, 25 February, Chile experienced a widespread power outage that affected 98 per cent of households in the country. The affected region covered 14 of Chile's 16 regions with a north-south extension of more than 3,000 kilometres (Süddeutsche Zeitung,...
First state-wide warning day in Rhineland-Palatinate
On 13 March 2025, a state-wide warning day will take place in Rhineland-Palatinate for the first time. The aim is to test the warning systems, raise awareness among the population and test the processes in the new Civil Protection Situation Centre in Koblenz. At...
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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.