Chapter 06 · Governance & regulationGovernance, Ethics & Risk
Disaster risk reduction (DRR)
Definition
Disaster risk reduction is defined by UNDRR as preventing new and reducing existing disaster risk and managing residual risk, all of which strengthen resilience and contribute to sustainable development. Its global policy framework is the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, adopted in March 2015, which sets seven targets and four priorities: understanding disaster risk; strengthening disaster risk governance; investing in reduction for resilience; and enhancing preparedness to "build back better" in recovery.
References
Overview
What it means
Breaking the disaster–response–recovery–repeat cycle by addressing exposure, vulnerability and capacity before events occur.
How it is used
DRR structures national and local strategies, early-warning investment, land-use planning and climate adaptation, and links to the SDGs and Paris Agreement.
Why it matters
Disaster risk is rising with climate change and urbanisation; DRR is the internationally agreed vocabulary for acting before disasters strike.