To trigger effective anticipatory actions before a natural hazard hits a vulnerable community, humanitarians need clear and robust protocols. Such protocols, developed by the Red Cross and its partners, are based on quantitative analysis of the risk profile and the forecast skill, alongside an assessment of physical thresholds and triggers to act.

Flooding continues to be a major risk in the Mississippi Basin given the growing intensity and frequency of rainfall in the region due to climate change. Federal investment in flood protection can provide the Mississippi Basin with long-term economic relief by protecting farmland and increasing resilience to future floods — but only if those investments include nature-based solutions alongside traditional solutions like levees.

To address many entry points for flood resilience building, working with partners is essential. Therefore, the Red Cross of Montenegro partnered with the municipality of Golubovci on an infrastructure project to support the flood prone community of Ponari and its neighbours.

The impacts of climate change, rapid demographic and economic shifts, and a global pandemic are changing priorities and needs for the international development and humanitarian community to meet and deliver on. Long-term program timeframes and flexible funding, key aspects of proactive programming – a form of adaptive management which emphasizes planning for the future – can enable sustained progress in the face of uncertainty.

The latest IPCC report puts the facts on the table with its ‘code red’ language hitting the headlines globally. A wakeup call for governments, businesses and citizens to reduce emissions and mitigate further climate change. It’s also a reminder of why we must invest in flood resilience and adaptation and focus attention on vulnerable communities already living with the impacts of climate change.

Nature-based solutions restoring wetlands have the potential to significantly reduce local flood peaks

By conducting and recording a virtual community visit Plan International has proven that travel restrictions in the wake of COVID-19 don’t necessarily mean we can’t visit the communities and people we work with.

Learning lessons from the devastating flooding in Western Europe and China – and raising awareness of the importance of flood risk reduction activities and the long-term consequences of inaction – should be seen as a necessary investment in our future, write Swenja Surminski and Viktor Rözer, as they draw out particular lessons for Germany.

Can we answer these questions about effective gender equity and social inclusion in our teams and programmes?
Effective gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) work in disaster risk reduction requires understanding, time, resources, commitment and accountability. It’s about the active engagement and empowerment of social groups that experience disproportionate effects during disasters.