Publication by DRMKC (EC-JRC): “Science for Disaster Risk Management 2020: acting today, protecting tomorrow”

The Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre (DRMKC) of the European Commission and its Joint Research Centre (JRC) has released the second publication in its series, "Science for disaster risk management 2020: Acting Today, Protecting Tomorrow."

More than 300 experts worked on the report for more than two years, coming from a wide range of fields, to show how disasters affect different types of assets at risk (population, economic sectors, critical infrastructures, ecosystem services and cultural heritage).

Studying the impacts helps in managing risk after a disaster, guiding the response, facilitating recovery, and preparing measures to prevent, mitigate and prepare for future events, by supporting risk prediction and the planning of measures to manage risk. The report addresses hazards of all kinds, highlighting the many connections between hazards and vulnerabilities so that people can take strong and effective action.

The report categorises actors into four groups of people who can help reduce disaster risk: policymakers, practitioners (such as civil protection groups, critical infrastructure operators, and organized groups of people who help with disaster response), scientists, and citizens. Each chapter and subchapter have specific advice for each group.

To shift from identifying issues to presenting answers and methods, the paper provides various instances and situations, demonstrating what the DRM community has learnt from catastrophic incidents while also highlighting knowledge gaps. The findings synthesize all the information and give direction to stakeholders on how to collaborate across sectors, disciplines, and organizations to reduce disaster risk.

How to cite the Executive summary: Casajus Valles, A., Marin Ferrer, M., Poljanšek, K., Clark, I. (eds.), ‘Executive summary of the report Science for Disaster Risk Management 2020: acting today, protecting tomorrow’, EUR 30183 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2020, ISBN 978-92-76-27150-5, doi:10.2760/919253, JRC114026.

How to cite the Entire Document: Casajus Valles, A., Marin Ferrer, M., Poljanšek, K., Clark, I. (eds.), ‘Science for Disaster Risk Management 2020: acting today, protecting tomorrow’, EUR 30183 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2020, ISBN 978-92-76-18181-1, doi:10.2760/438998, JRC114026.