Disaster Management
In a changing climate national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies will face greater demands on their capacities: more and larger operations, disasters of a different nature. They may face increased health risks, diminished food security and water supply, and even increased migration and displacement. Climate change will create more complex disasters.
But climate change also brings opportunities. It can act as a catalyst for better disaster management. Climate change is not a wholly new or separate issue but an additional factor on top of many that determine disaster risk. We must, therefore, integrate the changing threats into regular disaster management operations.
“The weather is upside down. In the months that used to be rainy there may not be rain. The winters that used to be cold are no longer cold. When it rains it floods and that kills people. When it doesn’t rain there’s a drought and that kills people too.” Abdishakur Othowai Abdulla, Kenya.
- Download here the factsheet
(pdf, 49 kB) (in English) to read more about disaster management. The factsheet can also be downloaded in Russian (pdf, 150 kB). - Download here
Convergence of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, A Review for DFID by Tom Mitchell and Maarten van Aalst (31 October 2008).
The International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI)
The IRI's mission is to enhance society's capability to understand, anticipate and manage the impacts of seasonal climate fluctuations in order to improve human welfare and the environment, especially in developing countries. The IRI conducts this mission through strategic and applied research, education, capacity building, and by providing forecasts and information products, with an emphasis on practical and verifiable utility and partnership.The IRI will provide assistance to the interpretation of observed and projected weather conditions relevant to the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
Related links
- IFRC forecast map room
- World Meteorological Organisation
- World Disasters Report 2009
- IFRC's disasters page
- Emergency events database
Main topics:
- Disaster Management
- Health and Care
- Early warning early action
- Advocacy
- Communications
- Community risk reduction
- Youth
- Getting started
Disaster Management
Climate change can act as a catalyst for enhanced disaster management.
Health and Care
Many national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies will be touched by the health implications of climate change.
Early warning early action
Routinely taking humanitarian action before a disaster or health emergency happens, making full use of scientific information on all timescales.
Advocacy
The Red Cross and Red Crescent never works in isolation. Partnerships are more important than ever in the context of global warming.
Communications
The global climate is changing and the past no longer explains the present.
Community risk reduction
The Red Cross and Red Crescent has traditionally focused on response. But now other aspects, including risk reduction, are also given priority.
Youth
Red Cross Red Crescent youth take action to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Getting started
The Red Cross Red Crescent has a growing body of experience working on addressing climate change. Here’s how to use it to get started.
Take a look at Red Cross Red Crescent climate change activities on the worldmap
