The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the UN’s dedicated agency for disaster risk reduction. It was established in 2000 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The agency works to reduce the risk of disasters and build resilience in communities and nations around the world.
UNDRR focuses on four key areas of work:
- Building risk awareness and understanding: UNDRR works to improve understanding of disaster risk and promote risk-informed decision-making at all levels, from local communities to national governments.
- Reducing underlying risk factors: UNDRR supports efforts to reduce the underlying risk factors that contribute to disasters, such as poverty, climate change, and environmental degradation.
- Strengthening disaster risk governance: UNDRR works with governments and other stakeholders to strengthen disaster risk governance, including policies, plans, and institutional frameworks for disaster risk reduction.
- Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience: UNDRR promotes investment in disaster risk reduction, including measures such as early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and social protection programs.
UNDRR works closely with a range of partners, including governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and academic institutions. The agency provides technical assistance and advice, facilitates knowledge sharing and capacity building, and advocates for policies and practices that promote disaster risk reduction and resilience.