Science for Disaster Risk Management 2020: Acting today, protecting tomorrow

This publication, the second of its series, has been prepared by the European Commission´s Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre (DRMKC) with the collaboration of more than 300 experts in disaster risk management (DRM).

The report deals with hazards of different natures, highlighting the many links existing between hazards and vulnerabilities to support robust and effective action. The report provides an overview on the consequences that disasters have on key assets of society (population, economic sectors, critical infrastructures, environment and cultural heritage). Studying the impacts helps in managing risk after a disaster, guiding the response and facilitating recovery, and in preparing measures to prevent, mitigate and prepare for future events, by supporting risk prediction and the planning of measures to manage risk.

The various chapters and subchapters provide also specific recommendations for the target audience, four groups of stakeholders that can actively contribute to reducing disaster risk: policymakers, practitioners (such as civil protection groups, critical infrastructure operators and organised civil groups directly engaged in disaster response), scientists and citizens.

To move from identifying problems to the presentation of solutions and approaches, the report describes several examples and cases, showing what the DRM community has learned from disastrous events while pointing out where the gaps in our knowledge are.