Climate Extremes

Earthquakes

Floods

Climate Change

Volcanoes

Tsunamis
Indian Ocean Tsunami

Landslides

Disaster Studies & Management
Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment in Disaster Response


Intranet

NGO Initiatives in Risk Reduction

Project holder: British Red Cross

Principal BHRC researcher: John Twigg

Duration: October 1998 - March 2001

This research looked at the work of non-government organisations (NGOs) to reduce the impact of natural disasters on vulnerable people in developing countries. It explored the extent and nature of NGO activities, and institutional and other factors affecting involvement in natural disaster mitigation and preparedness.

The study comprised surveys of the work of more than 20 international development and relief NGOs based in the UK, and four country case studies (in Bangladesh, Nicaragua, the Philippines and Zimbabwe), drawing together wider evidence of the work of both southern and northern NGOs.

The project produced five research reports based on the UK and developing country case studies, together with a paper summarising all these research findings for a wider readership. Some of this material was published as a special issue of the journal Disasters in 2001.

The other main output was a series of 19 short, practical case studies illustrating the range and nature of NGO work in this area, and highlighting some of the issues arising.

To see the project’s outputs and additional related material click here.