As climate change drives more extreme weather, systems are vital to protect lives and economies. These systems rely on climate information—data from sensors and stations—transformed into insights for forecasts and planning. Despite their proven value, investment remains low. Yet early warnings can cut damage by 30% and yield up to . In sectors like agriculture and energy, better climate services could unlock in global economic gains.
Disaster Relief
Floods, cyclones, and wildfires devastate communities, but these disasters are shaped by human choices—where we build, how we farm, and what we invest in. Climate change amplifies these hazards, causing over $200 billion in annual damages and $2.3 trillion in total costs. The human toll is immense: displaced families, lost livelihoods, and stalled development. Yet, many governments spend less than 1% of budgets on disaster risk reduction. The choice is clear: invest in resilience or keep paying for disasters.
The rising cost of disasters highlights the impact of climate change and poor development choices, with direct costs at $202 billion annually and broader economic impact estimated at $2.3 trillion. Developing nations suffer most, while wealthier ones also face major losses. Yet, less than 1% of public budgets go to disaster risk reduction (DRR). Public and private sectors often overlook these risks. National strategies should integrate DRR and climate adaptation. The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (13 October) reminds us to invest in resilience and risk-informed development.
One year after the UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat, countries are implementing strategies to build heat resilience. UN agencies, including UNDRR, are collaborating with governments to scale up responses. Kamal Kishore, UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, highlights , such as heat action plans and climate-aware urban planning.
Many disasters, whether man-made or weather-related, are unpredictable. Nevertheless, a growing number of disasters can now be predicted thanks to continuously improving early warning systems. Action before disasters strike can help limit the devastating impact that these have on people and communities everywhere. As extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and humanitarian needs are soaring, it is more crucial than ever to ensure that each dollar goes further. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization () promotes anticipatory action to help people in vulnerable situations stay steps ahead and weather the storm.
An explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 spread a radioactive cloud over large parts of the Soviet Union, now the territories of Belarus, Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Nearly 8.4 million people in the three countries were exposed to the radiation. Since then, the UN, along with the Governments of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, has been leading the recovery efforts to support the affected regions. Humanitarian assistance was provided in the immediate aftermath of the accident, followed by years of reconstruction to secure the area and protect the population.
World Food Programme is swiftly mobilizing to assist , despite ongoing humanitarian challenges.
80,000 people, including 1,230 pregnant women, need humanitarian assistance after the devastating earthquake in Vanuatu. “It pains me to see this vibrant country battered by yet another natural disaster,” says Dr. Natalia Kanem, who recently visited the Pacific island. See .
Rifqi Irvansyah was nine when the tsunami struck in Aceh, Indonesia. Seeing his school rebuilt by sparked a lifelong interest in disaster preparedness.
The Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004 – unleashed by an earthquake off the coast of Indonesia measuring 9.1 on the Richter scale – triggered the “most complex and wide-reaching emergency operations ever mounted” by the World Food Programme (). The Tsunami also struck the Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and even Somalia. Entire coastal communities were wiped out and an estimated 228,000 people were killed. Banda Aceh, in Indonesia, was the epicenter of devastation. WFP photographer Rein Skullerud recalls heart-wrenching scenes after flying into the city, as the world rallied to help survivors.
On 26 December 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake in Sumatra triggered the deadliest tsunami in recorded history. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was a global wake-up call, claiming over 227,000 lives in 15 countries. For the past 20 years, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO has worked to better understand tsunamis, prepare coastal communities, and raise the alarm when waves occur. Today, 20 years after the Boxing Day tsunami, the Global Tsunami Warning System spans the Pacific, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and North-East Atlantic regions. When a significant sea-level disturbance is detected, it sends fast and accurate alerts to coastal communities, reducing response times and saving lives worldwide.
On the night of 10 September 2023, Storm Daniel caused devastating flooding in Libya's northeast region, particularly in the city of Derna. Thousands lost their lives, and tens of thousands were displaced. The UN and other organizations provided urgent humanitarian support after the flooding. Following the disaster, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs () and a local photographer and filmmaker, Mohammed Emnena, documented the community's resilience in the face of tragedy.
Starting in April, flash floods have wreaked havoc across Afghanistan, leaving at least 300 dead, hundreds injured, and nearly 9,000 homes destroyed. Thousands are now homeless. Roads, bridges, schools, and health facilities in Baghlan, Badakshan, Takhar, Faryab and Ghor are in ruins. But why are these sudden deluges so deadly, and what makes this disaster particularly devastating? On the surface, it might seem like a straightforward question, yet the answers unravel a complex weave of geography, climate change and socio-economic frailties, creating a polycrisis that’s hard to untangle. Here's and how is trying to reduce its impact.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15 June) is the annual event dedicated to opposing elder abuse and recognizing the dignity and rights of older individuals. This year's theme, "Spotlight on Older Persons in Emergencies," underscores the urgent need to protect older individuals during crises. It calls for prioritizing their safety in emergency plans, developing inclusive policies, and providing education for responders and caregivers. By highlighting these issues, we can create a more protective environment for older persons and ensure that no one is left behind during emergencies.
Tropical storm Lisa left devastating effects on farmers in Belize, highlighting the crucial role of emergency assistance in building resilience against climate shocks in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).