Disaster Risk Management

The Disaster Risk Management programme aims to support the building of resilient urban societies in low to middle income countries. Extreme events are often recurring (e.g. annual floods) and therefore solutions need to range from emergency response, to preparedness and to sustainable development.

The emphasis is on building disaster resilient societies for the long term.

In fast growing urban areas, natural disasters and extreme weather events combine with poverty, lack of planning and development to severely impact the local society, triggering epidemics and infectious disease outbreaks. Especially the vulnerable and poor are exposed to hazards. IWA is working with WSMART and WHO to facilitate decentralised cooperation for the building of local capacity. The Forum for Urban Disaster Resiliency is the global public platform for discussion and sharing at events. This initiative is led by local stakeholders and embedded in local frameworks of disaster preparedness, and hotspot assessments etc.

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Responding to emergencies

IWA is supporting the work of emergency agencies (UNICEF, WHO, Oxfam) with technical assistance on demand. IWA is also working to improve the sustainability of sanitation systems in emergencies with key organisations from both the emergency and sanitation community.

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For more information on any of the above, please contact ase.johannessen@iwahq.org

Get involved

There are many opportunities as an IWA member to get involved in the programme. You can start with registering your interest on the member webpage here.