This section contains news relating to disasters and disaster risks around the world:
The Global Status of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems 2023 report outlines the progress that has been made under the UN's Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative...
Recent drought-related data based on research in the past two years and compiled by the UN point to “an unprecedented emergency on a planetary scale, where the massive impacts of human-induced droughts are only starting to unfold.”
The 2023 Interconnected Disaster Risks report published by the United Nations University (UNU) analyses six interconnected risk tipping points, selected for their representation of large global issues, which are changing lives across the world...
This piece published by the Natural Hazards Center discusses the importance of preserving cemeteries when a disaster strikes...
Wazira has built the foundations of her new house strong enough for it to withstand the potential consequences of concerning/alarming levels of climate change in the region...
China has launched a meteorological satellite, the Fengyun-3 06, expected to provide more accurate forecasts for extreme weather conditions including rain storms and typhoons.
This piece by UNDP discusses how Colombia's Indigenous Peoples adapt to climate change...
A vulnerability indicator, was developed for European disaster risk assessment, for use at different administrative levels...
‘Plinth’ settlements built on raised ground above the country’s flooding rivers are providing permanent homes and emergency refuges...
The Chilean city of Santa Juana was hit by wildfires in 2023. Locals are responding...
TIGGE models are shown to predict the spatial pattern of maximum temperatures reasonably well, especially in prediction up to 5 days for Heat wave events over India.
How people in low-income communities are coping with heating cities could set the example for future heat-stressed citizens to follow...
With nearly a third of its population living in coastal areas, and a reliance on subsistence agriculture and fishing, Sierra Leone has been identified as one of the world's most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change, whilst having contributed only marginally to global CO2 emissions...
The earthquake which struck on 8 September 2023 has killed thousands, and was unusually large for Morocco. It struck a region where most buildings are not earthquake-resilient. Ilan is part of a team of people interviewed for this piece in Nature about why this earthquake has been so deadly...
This report note on seasonal flood forecasts for 2023 provides recommendations for disaster preparedness and response...
According to this UNDRR piece, just 40% of Africa is covered by Early Warning systems, and some suffer from quality issues...
NASA Earth science data are being used in Africa’s Sahel region and across the continent to help track, study, and manage fires...
A major fire across the side of Table Mountain in Cape Town in 2021 led to questions about how it could have been avoided...
This report published in 2021 by the World Economic Forum discusses various applications of Earth observations for Africa...
Phenomena Canadians have historically thought of as freak natural disasters are becoming regular predictable occurrences. This article describes how the go-to solution to protect property and infrastructure is to build walls to block wave energy - which have become ineffective and unaffordable. The author believes it is time to look beyond the status quo and consider nature-based solutions...
The state says it has no "after action review" of the earlier blaze and if Maui County ever completed its version, it was never widely disseminated.
The commission’s second and final report was submitted to the US Congress on September 27, 2023. It encompasses one of the most sweeping and comprehensive reviews of the wildfire system to date...
This article discusses how cities in the US are planning 'smart surfaces' for cooling...
Large parts of Chile and Argentina were engulfed in flames in 2022...
Findings discuss human-induced intensification of fire risks in South America...
CFE-DM's Disaster Management Reference Handbooks provide a baseline of information regarding countries most prone to disasters...
This webinar held in Aug 2023 shares expertise and examples of practices from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
Climate-resilient designs and infrastructure can enhance the city’s capacity to withstand extreme weather events...
Asia-Pacific needs to protect hard-won development gains from the socioeconomic impacts of climate change...
Wild weather has gripped China in 2023, causing deaths, damaging infrastructure and ruining crops amid fears of climate change...
As heavy rains cause deaths in July 2023, experts say not enough has been done to cope with expected challenges in coming decades...
Singapore is projected to see daily highs of 40°C by 2045. Experts tell CNA how the rise in temperatures will change the way people live, work, study and play...
This piece discusses challenges with accessing the fund, such as defining “loss and damage”, agreeing to governance, and establishing clear eligibility criteria for it....
The Haze Outlook 2023 report by SIIA provided a risk assessment of the probability of a severe transboundary haze incident affecting Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore...
The starvation of millions of Afghans could have been avoided with the implementation of basic agricultural market-chain mechanisms...
With Covid-19 facilities being dismantled and an inquiry starting late, the nation’s ability to react quickly to future health threats has been lost, experts say...
Within decades or even months, a 300-foot wave could swallow this idyllic village.
This piece in National Geographic (access restrictions may apply) describes how people are preparing...
Flood adaptation can be highly cost-effective and is crucial to offset rising river flood risk in Europe with climate change, according to a study co-developed by scientists from the JRC and published in Nature Climate Change...
FirEUrisk solutions are being designed for scale across Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern Europe...
Research published in 2023 suggests that northern Europe is under prepared for the consequences of climate change...
A 2023 study conducted through an EU initiative explores potential effects of climate change on river flooding for Europe...
The Thames Barrier flood defence has been in use since 1982. As sea levels rise, it will need upgrading sooner than expected...
Can we stop Europe burning each summer? Will wildfires spread further?
This piece from Copernicus seeks answers...
This annual report by the Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience (AIDR) provides an overview of major incidents that have involved the fire and emergency services sector each financial year. The intent of each report is to highlight significant incidents that have been of impact or consequence for fire and emergency services, as identified by the sector; providing background information about the incident and the corresponding response...
Though experts do not think that this season will be the worst yet, they are stressing that the past is not a reliable guide to how the future will evolve...
Severe Tropical Cyclone Lola, which ripped across Vanuatu leaving significant damage in its wake, has become the earliest category 5 system on record for the Southern Hemisphere...
Australia has recorded its driest September since records began in 1900 with a national rainfall average of just 4.83mm...
This piece by the ABC describes how the fire alert system in Australia has changed, and why...
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has declared two major climate drivers linked to hot, dry conditions are officially underway in Australia, prompting further warnings that extreme heat could hit this spring and summer...
This piece published in Science describes how Australia is rethinking its strategies after the 2019-2020 Black Summer wildfires...
Cold fronts play a role in making bushfires drastically worse - posing a serious concern for future bushfire events...
Eco-entrepreneurs say artificial rockpools and crevices can protect and save wildlife on intertidal habitats...
This UN DESA report focuses on DRR policies and programs in SIDS, and gaps they face in implementing the Sendai Framework...
A Multidimensional Vulnerability Index is a tool to help SIDS gain access to the concessional financing they need to survive...
This webpage provides a variety of links to information about Disaster Risk and SIDS around the world...