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Evidence-Based Communication Strategies for Protecting Communities from Extreme Heat

This series of guidance notes presents evidence-based communication strategies for protecting vulnerable communities from extreme heat, drawing on heat risk perception surveys conducted across five cities: Choluteca and San Lorenzo (Honduras), Surabaya and Medan (Indonesia), and Tanga and Unguja (Tanzania). Across all contexts, surveys consistently identify older adults, outdoor workers, pregnant women, people with pre-existing […]

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Trees4HeatResilience: Evaluating Tree Canopy Coverage to Reduce Air Conditioning Demand in Honduran Urban Neighborhoods 

Authors and Collaborators: Juan Gamero-Salinas, University of Navarra Mabel Morales-Otero, University of Navarra Summary: This research examines the neighborhood-level relationship between urban tree canopy coverage and air conditioning (A/C) usage in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, a rapidly growing city with high heat exposure. A computer vision model was retrained on local aerial imagery to segment tree

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Climate Governance and Risk Management: Comparative Institutional Analysis in Three Key Paraguayan Cities

Authors and Collaborators: Angelina Adelfa Trinidad Da Silva, Universidad Nacional de Asunción María Victoria Zavala, Universidad Nacional del Este Jorge Antonio Martin, Municipalidad de Encarnación Summary: This research addresses the critical problem of urban climate governance in Paraguay, a country highly vulnerable to climate change where cities concentrate environmental risks, socioeconomic inequalities and institutional limitations

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Red Cross Regional Disaster Unit: A Regional Disaster Response Unit Ups Its Game to Help More People in Need

The American Red Cross’s Regional Disaster Team (RDT) in Central/Southern Illinois is a small but mighty operation — just 10 paid staff members managing roughly 800 volunteers across a three-state area. This case study, published by Deloitte Insights, looks at how the team significantly improved its ability to help disaster-affected people over a ten-year period,

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Examining Community-driven Resilience And Participatory Adaptation In Latin American Informal Settlements: Insights From Argentina And Chile

Authors and Collaborators: Emilia Portis, National University of Rosario Paula Piccolo, National University of Rosario Summary: Informal settlements across Latin America are disproportionately exposed to climaterelated hazards while facing chronic infrastructural deficits and tenure insecurity. This qualitative study examines community-led adaptation and participatory practices in two cases-El Esfuerzo (Valparaíso, Chile) and Nuevo Alberdi (Rosario, Argentina)-to inform

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Fortalecimiento de los Sistemas de Alerta Temprana para Todos: Evidencia y Lecciones de las Comunidades de Última Milla

Las alertas tempranas salvan vidas, pero solo cuando llegan a tiempo, son confiables y conducen a la acción. Este informe reúne evidencia de 15 estudios en 14 países para analizar por qué los sistemas de alerta temprana (SAT) a menudo no logran traducir las alertas en medidas de protección para las comunidades de última milla

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“Migrants Expect the Red Cross to be there”: Exploring Red Cross and Red Crescent continuity of care along migration routes

This report outlines findings from research commissioned by the The Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC) exploring opportunities to support continuity of care along migration routes. The term “continuity of care” refers to consistent and connected assistance at different stages, and at different locations, along migration journeys. This was understood as applying to National Society programmes

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A silhouetted community volunteer uses a megaphone to deliver an early warning message outdoors, with sunlight behind them against a clear sky.

Strengthening Early Warning Systems for All: Evidence and Lessons from Last-Mile Communities

This report synthesizes findings from 15 GDPC-supported studies across 14 countries to examine why early warnings often fail to translate into timely, protective action — particularly for last-mile communities that are geographically isolated, socially marginalized, or economically vulnerable. Drawing on empirical research and complementary literature, the report highlights that early warning effectiveness is shaped not

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American Red Cross’s Domestic Approach to Anticipatory Action

The American Red Cross has established robust protocols for forecasting, financing, and implementing early actions in anticipation of potential disasters. The Disaster Cycle Services (DCS) branch of the National Society has comprehensive mechanisms and labels specific to the US context, but the core of its programming has an anticipatory action framework. DCS forecasting relies on

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Community-First Approach: How the American Red Cross Helps Build Disaster Resilience Where It’s Needed Most

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Across the United States, the American Red Cross is working to reduce disaster risks and strengthen the long-term resilience of the most vulnerable communities through its Community Adaptation Program (CAP). With teams embedded in communities across 19 locations, the program focuses on addressing the root causes of vulnerability — specifically in the areas of health,

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