The Disaster Risk Reduction Initiative (DRRI) is an endeavour promoted by DARA with the aim of contributing to improved risk reduction interventions and responses to disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods. The Initiative is based on partnerships with other organisations and experts in the field, and promotes knowledge sharing and dissemination with a specific focus on what works and why.

Haiti ©Marko Kokic

Through its work on the Humanitarian Response Index, and in evaluations such as DIPECHO and TEC, DARA has come to understand just how vital mainstreaming disaster risk reduction is.  Levels of human vulnerability are on the rise, hazards are having an increasing impact on societies, and the consequences of climate change are expected to increase. Evaluations have constantly reminded us that:

• Not enough efforts are devoted to prevention and disaster risk reduction and political commitment is often lacking
• Disaster risk reduction must be analysed and mainstreamed into development
• Successful efforts in risk reduction are all about comprehensive approaches and partnerships

These findings and lessons we learn contribute to shaping our actions on the initiative, which has included the development of the Risk Reduction Index, the DRRI’s main component. Other actions include studies and evaluations, and working on the translation of “Words into Action: A Guide for Implementing the Hyogo Framework for Action” (UN/ISDR) to Spanish.