This report seeks to facilitate mutual learning amongst MAPS partners that will advance understanding of DRR
Disaster risk reduction
We help communities to live their lives.
Disaster risk reduction looks at how we can control and limit the impact of disasters through prevention, mitigation and preparation.
58,000 lives are lost to disasters each year and damages amount to billions.
What we're doing
Large scale disasters such as the Asian Tsumani, Hurricane Katrina, flooding in Mozambique and drought induced famine are becoming all too common news. Due to climate change the scale and intensity of disasters is increasing and will continue to increase. Disasters disproportionately affect the poor with more than half the world's disasters occurring in the poorest countries.
Trócaire works with local communities and local organisations to prepare for and respond to emergencies and reduce their risk through development programmes. In communities that are vulnerable to sudden onset disasters like flooding, Trócaire provides support to prepare for such eventualities by putting in place emergency preparedness and evacuation plans. This saves lives and helps people return to normal lives more quickly after the event has passed.
In Trócaire's livelihood programmes we reduce risks of famine by supporting communities with irrigation, drought and disease resistant crops and diversifying their agricultural production and livelihoods. In our housing projects we ensure that buildings are resistant to such hazards as earthquakes and floods.
Juan's Story
Juan Francisco Trujillo, aged 16, is from a remote village called Caserío Chilama in El Salvador. His family live on the opposite side of the river to the rest of the village. Flooding cuts his family off from their village. When this happens, Juan Francisco cannot go to school.
Juan told us how he checks the water level to see if it will be possible to cross the river and get to school. 'There is a large boulder in the middle of the river. If the water is over this boulder, I know it is too dangerous to cross'.
Trócaire, along with local communities and our partner ACUA, has identified areas most at risk from flooding in El Salvador. We are now working to reduce the risk to people’s lives and their livelihoods in the future through the construction of reservoirs and proper housing, the provision of irrigation and water purification systems and the implementation of environmental protection projects. We can also help to ensure that Juan Francisco receives an education.
Related policy papers
An introduction to Trócaire's Particpatory risk analysis and mapping project.
An overview of disaster risk reduction (DRR) for Trócaire staff and partners explaining how DRR relates to development at a global level.
