The Regional Disaster Preparedness Reference Centre in El Salvador was created in 2005 to improve the capacity, quality and effectiveness of National Societies’ disaster response in the Central America region. The centre is responsible for coordinating the training of members of national disaster response or intervention teams in the region. To this end, it has […]
Harmonizing learning in Central America Read More »
In December of 2007 the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) at Columbia University’s Earth Institute formed a partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The Red Cross Red Crescent (RC/RC) Climate Centre helps facilitate the effort to provide the IFRC with tools and support to improve
In 2000 and 2001, severe floods struck large areas of Mozambique. The devastating impact of the flooding, and the relative lack of disaster preparedness among affected communities, provided the impetus and the opportunity for the Mozambique Red Cross Society to initiate a five-year community-based disaster preparedness programme in Inhambane and Zambezia provinces, with support from
Mozambique: cyclone early warning system in practice Read More »
Following a number of landslides in August 2002, the International Federation, supported by the Regional Delegation in Central America, obtained funding from the British government to implement an early warning system in the event of future landslides. The overall objective was to ‘promote the development of community organizational and planning processes for the identification of
Landslide early warning in Costa Rica Read More »
Trincomalee district in eastern Sri Lanka was severely affected by the tsunami of 2004. Several years later, most people directly affected by the tsunami have been resettled. Yet many of them continue to face problems, one of which is a climate that is increasingly variable and extreme. Sri Lanka Red Cross Society’s (SLRCS) Community Based
Helping People to Cope with Changing Climates Read More »
Viet Nam has always suffered from extreme weather events. Because of climate change, it is likely that droughts will occur more often, and that tropical cyclones will also become more intense. In 2003, the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VNRCS) became one of the first National Red Cross Red Crescent Societies to integrate climate change into
Preparing for Climate Change in Viet Nam Read More »
Tuvalu is a remote island nation often associated with the rising impacts of climate change. If, as predicted, sea levels continue to rise, this string of low-lying islands in the south-west Pacific could gradually disappear. However, life must go on in Tuvalu, and efforts are being made through risk reduction and disaster preparedness to lessen
Tuvalu: Joining forces to tackle climate change Read More »
This case study recounts the experience of the Rwandan Red Cross with the vulnerability and capacity assessment (VCA) tool. The aim of this study is to describe the approach adopted by the Rwandan Red Cross and to share the lessons it learned from that experience with other National Societies. Published in 2003.
Using the vulnerability and capacity assessment tool in Rwanda Read More »
Bangladesh is not only vulnerable to rising sea levels, but is also one of the most flood and cyclone prone countries in the world with 25 percent of its geographical area vulnerable. The floods and cyclones not only disrupt and take lives, but also isolate communities, severely affecting the livelihoods and education of the people
In 1999-2000, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) embarked on a 6-month VCA, which assessed communities’ perceptions of the hazards most likely to occur, their needs and the resources available to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of these hazards – whether major disasters or daily challenges. In September 2000, the Palestinian territories erupted into
Palestine Red Crescent Society – reducing risk through VCA Read More »