Disaster risk reduction

In regions prone to regular natural hazards, such as floods, earthquakes or cyclical droughts, measures can be taken that prevent, or reduce, loss of life and property, and limit the impact of future disasters.

Increasingly it is poor and marginalised people that are most at risk from natural hazards. Their housing is less well built, and in dangerous, often remote, areas. Their livelihoods are precarious, and easily destroyed. Poverty also reduces people's ability to cope with a disaster.

How we reduce the risk of disasters

In all our work we aim to ensure that poor communities are less at risk from future natural hazards, and better able to cope should disaster strike. We identify and assess the risks, and allocate our resources appropriately. Disaster risk reduction encompasses prevention, mitigation and preparedness work.

Natural hazards are often predictable, such as yearly floods, and cyclical droughts. We are working with communities to help them adapt to their situations.

Oxfam in action: Preparing for floods in Bangladesh

Being ready to respond

It is also essential that Oxfam, as an organisation, is ready to respond quickly and effectively to a humanitarian crisis.

Being prepared includes ensuring that national and local offices within affected countries are suitably equipped, that our emergency warehouse in the UK is stocked with the right equipment, and that our staff are appropriately trained and able to communicate effectively.

Working with others

Being prepared to respond also involves identifying, and establishing relationships, with key people and organisations, nationally and internationally. We also put pressure on governments to tackle the root causes of poverty and to respond effectively and quickly to disaster situations when they occur.

Other things we do in emergencies

Water and sanitation
Health promotion
Food security and nutrition
Protection
Gender equality