Disasters

According to the Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, a disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society causing widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources. Resources available in this sub-theme include guidance on strengthening institutional arrangements, examples of public awareness programs, and others that support disaster risk mitigation and response.

Disasters Resources

USACE Flood Risk Management Program

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The USACE Flood Risk Management Program (FRMP) works across the agency to focus the policies, programs and expertise of USACE toward reducing overall flood risk. This includes the appropriate use and resiliency of structures such as levees and floodwalls, as well as promoting alternatives when...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States
North America

International Center for Integrated Water Resouces, ICIWaRM's Regional Analysis of Frequency Tool (ICI-RAFT)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The purpose of ICI-RAFT is to estimate the frequency/intensity of a rainfall event of a particular duration using rainfall observations on the ground. The goal is to be able to answer such questions as: what is the probability that the current drought will end in X months? How long of a drought...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States
North America

2015 Nepal earthquakes Lessons from WaterAid’s response

Publication date:
April 20, 2016
WaterAid
On 25 April and 12 May 2015, two huge earthquakes hit Nepal, killing 9,000 people, injuring 22,000, and depriving half a million families of their homes. WaterAid provided emergency water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support to communities. Having our staff and projects affected so deeply and...Read more

After the Storm: The Importance of Acknowledging Environmental Justice in Sustainable Development and Disaster Preparedness

Publication date:
July 2, 2021
The past decade has brought on some of the worst cases of flooding due to natural disasters and the resulting leaching of some of the most hazardous environmental contaminants back into nearby, often low income, communities. Natural disasters are not “great equalizers” when it comes to recovery...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Adverse Physical and Mental Health Effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Among Gulf Coast Children: An Environmental Justice Perspective

Publication date:
July 9, 2021
This study examines whether racial/ethnic minority and low socioeconomic status affected children's health after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. It explores whether these risk factors affected children's health due to direct physical exposure to crude oil or dispersant household economic...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Climate Change & Water - Why Valuing Rivers is Critical to Adaptation

Publication date:
July 16, 2021
This report shows that freshwater conservation issues must be at the heart of the climate agenda and efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13. While freshwater is a major conduit through which climate impacts are felt, it can also play a central role in climate adaptation and...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Global

Water Quality After Wildfire

Publication date:
July 21, 2021
Relatively new research has been aimed at the impacts of wildfires on the quality of drinking water and on water-dependent natural resources. Wildfires are devastating and can lead to long-term changes to the landscape. With a significant amount of our Nation's drinking water sources...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Historical Flooding

Publication date:
July 21, 2021
The USGS provides practical, unbiased information about the Nation's rivers and streams that is crucial in mitigating hazards associated with floods. This site provides information about the USGS activities, data, and services provided during regional high-flow events, such as hurricanes or...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

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