What is disaster risk reduction?
Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is work that seeks to diminish damage caused by natural hazards, such as earthquakes, floods, droughts and cyclones, through an ethic of prevention. It seeks to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience at all levels.
A disaster can change a child’s life in a matter of minutes and wipe away the positive impacts that took development programs years to achieve. Disasters are often portrayed as acts of nature or a natural order. In fact, the major factors influencing disaster risks are human and social vulnerability matched with the capacity to respond. DRR is a critical strategic challenge as well as an opportunity for international humanitarian and development organizations.
ChildFund Alliance and disaster risk reduction
The Alliance, through a 2013-2016 member-led initiative, has made progress in building DRR capabilities. We will adapt this concept into a Youth-Led DRR Community-based Framework. Children will participate fully, and youth will provide leadership to minimize the impact of disasters at the community level by:
- building on successful youth-led DRR models; and
- mainstreaming DRR into regular programming and community development