Disaster Risk Reduction

The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events has increased in recent decades. Disaster risk reduction and management helps minimize risks and save human lives.

In close cooperation with partner organizations, AWO International takes important disaster risk reduction measures in preparation for extreme natural events. Goal is to minimize the negative consequences of these events, strengthen the resilience of the affected people and reduce their vulnerability.

In the picture, three women are sitting outside a house. They are talking and laughing.

Central AmericaEl SalvadorGuatemala

Disaster Risk Reduction for All

People with disabilities often have less access to education and social participation. Discrimination and exclusion make their daily lives even more difficult. During natural disasters in Central America, this can be life-threatening. In Guatemala and El Salvador, AWO International is committed to inclusive disaster preparedness and comprehensive support for people with disabilities in their daily lives.

Two women are filling a sack with corn and laughing.

Central AmericaGuatemala

Good harvest despite climate crisis

Climate change is threatening the livelihoods of people in Guatemala's 'dry corridor'. Together with our partner organisation Utz Che', we are strengthening disaster response, promoting sustainable farming methods and supporting local income development, particularly for indigenous women.

The picture shows a woman wearing a headscarf and holding a small boy.

South AsiaBangladesh

Forgotten crises: Supporting the Rohingya and host communities in Bangladesh

In August 2017, an outbreak of massive violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state forced the Rohingya, a stateless minority, to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh. More than a million Rohingya refugees still live in camps near Cox's Bazar. The effects of climate change are making conditions on the ground even more difficult - this is where our project with local partner GUK comes in.

The massive fire destroyed more than 10,000 huts in the world's largest refugee camp in Bangladesh (Photo: AWO International/GUK)

South AsiaBangladesh

Fires tear through Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh

On March the 22nd, a major fire in the Balukhali refugee camp in Cox's Bazar has destroyed the shelters of more than 88,000 Rohingya refugees. Together with the organization Solidar Suisse, we are providing relief supplies and support, as well as training on how to prevent and deal with fires and burn injuries.

A woman in a pink T-shirt smiles at the camera. She has a sheet of paper with drawings in her hand. Behind her is a house and a white car.

AfricaUganda

Securing livelihoods and promoting social justice

The project region Otuke is a rural district in northern Uganda. The region is one of two areas most affected by malnutrition. In general, the undernutrition situation in Otuke is exacerbated by a number of overarching problems. People in the region face acute challenges such as food insecurity, limited access to safe drinking water and poor hygiene practices.

a man and two women ploughing a field with a team of oxen

AfricaUganda

Climate Action Model Villages in Uganda

In Uganda, the devastating effects of climate change are clearly visible: wilting crops, flooding and dry wells threaten the food and livelihoods of a population largely dependent on agriculture. To address this acute threat, we launched a project in October 2022 with our Ugandan partner organization AFARD, bringing together food security, environmental protection and disaster risk reduction.

Eine Frau steht vor einem Feld und lächelt in die Kamera.

Southeast AsiaPhilippines

Disaster risk reduction in the Philippines

The geographical location of the Philippines makes the country vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, volcanic eruptions and floods. In addition, climate change increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. Proactive preparedness allows people to better prepare for these climate-related risks and minimises the impact on the country's life and infrastructure. In cooperation with the local partner organisation CONCERN, we promote disaster risk reduction in the Philippines.

Two women are standing in front of a tent, which is their temporary shelter.

Southeast AsiaIndonesia

Disaster Risk Reduction and Reconstruction after Earthquake in Indonesia

On 21 November 2022, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck the southwest of Cianjur district in West Java, Indonesia. The quake claimed more than 600 lives and more than 100,000 people were forced to flee. Together with the local partner organisation YEU, AWO International supports the people in reconstruction and integrates disaster preparedness measures for the affected village communities.

Participants at a food processing workshop. (Photo: AWO International/Solidar Suisse)

AfricaMozambique

Reconstruction after hurricanes in Mozambique

Mozambique was largely destroyed by hurricanes Idai and Kenneth in 2019. In 2020 and 2021, two more storms exacerbated the situation enormously. Many people lost their homes and are still waiting for assistance in temporary camps. The regions also suffer from the effects of the COVID pandemic and violent conflicts. AWO International has set itself the goal of strengthening the affected families together with Solidar Suisse.

A smiling woman stands in front of a wooden machine that processes the abaca fiber.

Southeast AsiaPhilippines

Philippine farmers switch to green production

Together with the local partner organisation ECOWEB, AWO International supports smallholder households and strengthens the local capacities of the agricultural industry in Sibagat. Filipino farmers are introduced to the use of natural materials and practices that are climate-friendly and sustainable in order to protect the environment, improve their livelihoods and reduce poverty. In this way, local capacities can be strengthened and the impacts of extreme weather events and climate change can be better managed.

AfricaMozambique

Mozambique

Since the end of the civil war in 1992, the living conditions of the people in Mozambique have been improving. Nevertheless, the country is strongly affected by extreme weather events such as cyclones and droughts, the Covid pandemic, as well as violent conflicts and a strained economy.

South AsiaNepal

Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Nepal

Nepal is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change. According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2020, Nepal ranks 10th among the most vulnerable countries. Every year, climate events such as floods and landslides, droughts and forest fires, and heat and cold waves lead to loss of livelihoods, especially in remote rural areas. This is where our Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation project comes in.

Southeast AsiaPhilippines

Immediate response to the suffering caused by Typhoon Rai in communities in Southern Leyte

Typhoon Rai (locally known as Odette) hit the Philippines just before Christmas 2021, when the season of storms was supposed to end. This most violent of all typhoons in 2021 caused widespread destruction and suffering, affecting more than 11 Million people in its wake.

Southeast AsiaIndonesia

Java Earthquake 2022

In November 2022, the district of Cjanjur, in western Java, was hit hard by an earthquake. After an earthquake, the readiness of the population to take precautionary measures for future natural events is often particularly high. Together with a new partner organisation, Yakkum Emergency Unit (YEU), we support those affected and we are now also active in the field of inclusive disaster risk management in Java.

On the left you can see a river. Next to it is a dam built of stones. There are four women working on the dam.

South AsiaNepal

Strengthening local capacities in disaster risk reduction: What we were able to achieve in West-Nepal

What needs to be considered in the event of a disaster? And what is the best way to take precautions? These and other questions were addressed by the disaster risk reduction project in West-Nepal, which was successfully completed at the end of 2021. Using various approaches and measures, the project strengthened the awareness and the capacities of local institutions and communities in preparedness and in dealing with natural disasters in a rural community severely affected by climate change.

AWO International provides emergency aid for people who have lost their homes and livelihoods as a result of the two typhoons Goni and Vamco (Photo: AWO International/CONCERN)

Southeast AsiaPhilippines

Emergency aid for people affected by two severe typhoons in Malilipot

Super typhoon Goni (Rolly) and his smaller brother Vamco (Ulysses) devastated the homes and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people within two weeks, plunging them into a desperate situation in the midst of an unmanageable pandemic. Together with our partner organisation CONCERN, we are helping particularly hard-hit families.

The AWO International team and the local partner organisation deepen their knowledge on emergency measures, for example in a first aid exercise (Photo: AWO International)

South AsiaIndiaBangladeshNepal

Better prepared for disasters

Climate change negatively influences the livelihoods of millions of people, especially in the Global South. South Asia is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters due to its geo-climatic characteristics. Our disaster risk reduction project strengthens community resilience and trains the Nepalese AWO staff and local partners on disaster risk reduction activities.