UNDRR Publications

Despite unmistakable human complicity in disasters, the idea that disasters are simply part of the natural state of affairs remains pervasive. This is reflected in the frequent use of the expression “natural disaster”. This paper examines International

This paper is prompted by critical awareness that the aspirations of both the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development hinge substantially on advancements in (sub)national resilience building. It also

Risk is widely conceptualized as a factor of hazards, exposure and vulnerability. One critical component of the risk equation is geography. The physical location of people and assets very much defines the likelihood and impact of a specific hazard which

This paper overviews the Chinese urbanization process, especially in light of the national new-urbanization plan released by the Chinese government in 2014. Over the past three decades, the economic opportunities in urban centers of China have accelerated

While the Sendai Framework, the Paris Agreement, the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda (NUA) warrant consideration in a joined up and complementary manner, global discussions of risk do not necessarily reflect the range of risk as understood by

Approaches for building resilience may range from highly technical and resource-intensive, to simple and inexpensive practices. The “Making Cities Resilient” (MCR) Campaign initiated by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is one

Cities are drivers and victims of climate change. Risks to climate change and induced disasters vary spatially and across a region's demographic spectrum. Building resilience to the changing climate requires exhaustive analysis of climate risks, their

Groundwater is a de-facto source of water during drought and emergencies. In a broader perspective, the traditional short-term strategy of using groundwater to combat water deficits during drought needs revisiting. The objective of this paper is to

In the different academic research fields of disaster, humanitarian aid, or conflict, little attention has been paid to the nexus between disaster and conflict. Academic attention to conflict and disaster has been disjointed, raising different questions