Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group

Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group

About

The Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRR-WG) is created to promote the use of Earth observations in national efforts to build disaster resilience and disaster risk reduction. Our goal is to develop and implement a coherent and crosscutting approach for this purpose.

The GEO Work Programme is currently implementing more than two dozen activities using Earth Observations for disaster preparedness and prevention, mitigation of potential damage, and better management of and recovery from disasters.

Significant reductions in fatalities and property damage can be achieved by strengthening cooperation and data sharing for satellite and surface data to manage risks posed by fires, floods, earthquakes, and other hazards. Better information, made widely accessible, leads to improved understanding of disaster risk.

WHAT WE DO

  • Serving as the primary GEO liaison to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
  • Promoting awareness of relevant global policy frameworks, such as UNDRR Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030
  • Collaborating with other working groups and activities within GEO on climate action, sustainable development, and urban resilience

Governance

Three co-chairs are elected by and from the DRR-WG members to lead designated subgroups. These co-chairs represent a balance of gender, geography, and generation.

Subgroups

Are established to run the work of the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group:

  • SG1: GEO Disaster Risk Reduction Subgroup - Work Programme Coordination

    Rui

    Rui Kotani

    GEO Secretariat Representative.GEO Secretariat

    SG1 aims to develop and implement a comprehensive approach to advance the use of Earth observations to support countries' disaster risk reduction and resilience efforts. This subgroup ensures a thorough understanding of national requirements and effectively communicates these needs to the relevant activities within the GEO Work Programme.

    Key objectives

    • Highlighting aspects of the GEO Work Programme related to disaster risk reduction, and describe key elements and locations of each activity.
    • Promoting sharing of data and knowledge to improve disaster risk reduction, including through good practices and impact.
    • Promoting awareness of relevant global policy frameworks, such as UN-GGIM WG-Disasters Strategic Framework on Geospatial Information and Services.

  • SG2: GEO Disaster Risk Reduction Subgroup - UNDRR Coordination for Sendai Framework Priorities

    Rui

    Rui Kotani

    GEO Secretariat Representative.GEO Secretariat

    SG2 promotes the dissemination and use of Earth observations to strengthen disaster risk reduction capabilities according to country needs as identified by UNDRR. Serving as primary GEO liaison to UNDRR, this subgroup works towards:

    • Increasing the use of Earth observations data for local and national disaster risk reduction strategies;
    • Increasing the use of GNSS-enhanced Earth observations data through consortia;
    • Increasing the use of Earth observations data to show trends over time and hot spots while predicting and analyzing future risks.

  • SG3: GEO Disaster Risk Reduction Subgroup - Climate Change and SDG Coordination

    Rui

    Rui Kotani

    GEO Secretariat Representative.GEO Secretariat

    SG3 leverages SG1 efforts to provide an overview of links and actionable opportunities between disaster risk reduction, climate change, sustainable development goals and urban activities, notably for adaptation, early warning and resilience.

Documents & Resources

Terms of Reference

Download

The Terms of Reference will remain in effect for the period of the 2023-2025 GEO Work Programme. It may be revised with the approval of the Programme Board

Roadmap and subgroup work plans

A Roadmap is proposed to guide the work of the DRR-WG and prioritize action based on the approved Terms of Reference. The Roadmap also outlines the way members engage and contribute to the objectives of the DRR-WG. It contains priority deliverables, milestones and the working timeline, as well as the work plan of each subgroup. While the DRR-WG activities are outlined for the 2020-2022 period, some have an ongoing nature and are intended to be continued beyond the first term.

Earth Observation (EO) Risk Toolkit

Earth observations hold untapped potential to contribute to disaster preparedness and improved mitigation and response. The Group on Earth Observations, in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, supports disaster resilience by increasing coordination of Earth observations to prepare for and to prevent disasters, with an end goal of reducing risk globally. Discover Toolkit

Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR) 2022

COVID-19 and climate change are rapidly making it clear that, in today’s crowded and interconnected world, disaster impacts increasingly cascade across geographies and sectors. Despite progress, risk creation is outstripping risk reduction. Discover Report

Contributing Papers:

Other Documents

Collaboration

Individuals interested in joining a WG must be nominated by the GEO Principal of their relevant GEO Member, Participating Organization, or by a GEO Work Programme activity lead. As appropriate, the Programme Board may also invite other qualified individuals to participate as members.

Contacts

For more information about the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group please contact us

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