The GDPC
The American Red Cross and the International Federation Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have established the Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC) as a reference center to support innovation and learning in disaster preparedness. As one of 12 reference centers in the international Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) network, the GDPC aims to enhance disaster management–namely preparedness–capacities of Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies through a service-oriented and demand-driven approach to building community resilience.
Background
All over the world, the Red Cross and Red Crescent network is striving to help communities prepare for disasters. In the face of global trends that are exacerbating the impacts of disasters, such as rapid urbanization and climate change, Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies must develop additional capacity and resources to effectively meet changing needs.
To assess the needs and potential scope for network-wide action on disaster preparedness through a center such as the GDPC, the American Red Cross conducted an extensive study that was completed in May 2012. The results of that study are available here.
GDPC Services
With RC/RC national societies and their partners serving as its primary target audience, the GDPC provides services in three main areas — Knowledge Management, Research and Technical Assistance — in order to build national and community level preparedness. While other parts of the Red Cross Red Crescent network are specialized in long-term capacity and program development, the GDPC seeks to complement these efforts by providing specific network-wide services in response to national and community demand for tools and learning on disaster preparedness and resilience. The range of GDPC activities is outlined in the GDPC Activities section on the site, although the site itself is intended to function as a broader platform for collaboration among a wide range of stakeholders, including Red Cross Red Crescent national societies as well as other organizations and individuals championing disaster preparedness and resilience at global, national, and community levels. In this context, as part of the Knowledge Management activities of the Center, the GDPC hosts Preparecenter.org
The interactive overview map below displays the list of GDPC's active programs across different countries in the world.
For deeper knowledge and information about the Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC) you are invited to read through the documents presented below:
Relation to Other RC/RC Centers
The GDPC is one of a growing number of resource and reference centers within the Red Cross Red Crescent network. These centers cover a range of related humanitarian and development topics and will be key partners for GDPC initiatives. Links to each of the centers are available here.