Breaking the Cycle of Emergency Response through Disaster Risk Reduction

The world has experienced a sharp increase in disasters over the last 20 years. While a wide range of factors play a role including climate change, urbanization, population growth, unplanned development and environmental degradation, one thing is clear: Traditional emergency response will never address underlying needs of vulnerable communities to prepare for and mitigate these events prior to their occurrence. As these disasters have greater impact on women, children, elderly people and people with disabilities, additional efforts are needed to involve these groups in decision making relating to disaster management. Catholic Relief Services sees Disaster Risk Reduction, or DRR, as an approach that offers an opportunity for communities and key stakeholders. 

 

In line with this vision, CRS' Emergency Rapid Response Fund, or ERRF mechanism, supports DRR initiatives in countries experiencing cyclical natural hazard-induced disasters, which are intensifying due to the changing climate. The interventions aim to build capacity of staff, along with government counterparts relating to community-level, participatory, risk reduction actions. 

 

In this report, you will see the highlights of ERRF projects implemented in Malawi, Mexico, Pakistan, and Nepal from August 2022-November 2023, as well as lessons learned and recommendations moving forward.