Thematic Platforms

UNISDR works with active thematic platforms for advice and guidance on disaster risk reduction and to support the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action.

Thematic platforms collaborate on particular themes related to disaster risk, typically of a technical nature. This includes risk identification, vulnerability assessment, early warning, El Nino, drought, floods, water risks, wild land fire, environment, climate change, education, vulnerability assessment, disaster recovery, and capacity development.

The list below highlights some of the active thematic platforms UNISDR currently works with.

Capacity for Disaster Reduction Initiative (CADRI)

CADRI's mission is to increase capacity development for disaster risk reduction at global, regional and local levels to advance the priorities of the Hyogo Framework for Action. CADRI is an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (UNDP/BCPR), the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR).

Visit the CADRI website

Global Earthquake Model (GEM)

GEM aims to produce a state-of-the-art, dynamic and openly accessible model for the assessment of seismic risk worldwide, featuring the computation of the probability of earthquakes occurring and inducing damage to buildings and houses, and also methods and tools for analysing impacts of earthquakes on economy and society. The model will through its interface allow for earthquake risk assessment at the community, national and international level and integration with many ongoing initiatives on disaster risk reduction.

Visit the GEM website

Global Fire Monitoring Center (GFMC)

The GFMC provides a global portal for wildland fire documentation, information and monitoring, including near-real time monitoring of fire events, and interpretation, synthesis and archive of global fire information. The GFMC also supports the development of long-term strategies for wildland fire management, including community-based fire management approaches and advanced wildland fire management training. They also serve as an advisory body to the UN system through the coordination of the UNISDR Wildland Fire Advisory Group and the Global Wildland Fire Network.

Visit the GFMC website

Global Risk Forum (GRF Davos)

The combination of the world's growing population with expanding urbanization and globalization has increased the risk potential to all communities and nations. GRF Davos aims at serving as a centre of knowledge and know-how exchange for the application of contemporary risk management strategies, tools and practical solutions. GRF Davos aims at reducing vulnerability for all types of risks and disasters to protect life, property, environment, critical infrastructure and all means of business for the worldwide community on a sustainable basis.

Visit the GRF Davos website

Gender and Disaster Network (GDN)

The GDN is an educational project initiated by women and men interested in gender relations in disaster contexts. Its broad goals are to document and analyze women's and men's experiences before, during, and after disaster, to work across disciplinary and organizational boundaries in support of collaborative research and applied projects, to foster information sharing and resource building among network members, and to build and sustain an active international community of scholars and activists.

Visit the GDN website

Global Risk Identification Programme (GRIP)

GRIP aims to promote sustainable development by reducing the impact of natural hazards in high-risk areas. Its specific objectives are to improve disaster risk information and understanding and to increase their use in decision-making processes. With the mission of providing "better risk information for sound decision making", GRIP coordinates the generation of evidence-based risk information and facilitates its applications to improve the quality of policies, regulations and investments at all levels.

Visit the GRIP website

International Flood Initiative (IFI)

The IFI promotes an integrated approach to flood management to take advantage of the benefits of floods and use of flood plains while reducing the social, environmental and economic risks. The overall objective of the initiative is to build the capacity necessary to understand and better respond to flood hazards, vulnerabilities and benefits. The initiative will focus on research, information networking, education and training, empowering communities and providing technical assistance.

Visit the IFI website

International Consortium on Landslides (ICL)

Established in 2002, the objectives of the ICL are to promote landslide research for the benefit of society and the environment; to integrate geosciences and technology to evaluate landslide risk in urban, rural and developing areas including cultural and natural heritage sites, as well as contribute to the protection of the natural environment and sites of high societal value; to combine and coordinate international expertise in landslide risk assessment and mitigation studies; and to promote a global, multidisciplinary programme on landslides.

Visit the ICL website

International Platform for Reducing Earthquake Disasters (IPRED)

IPRED is a platform for collaborative research, training and education in seismology and earthquake engineering. It's mission is to identify gaps and priorities in the field of seismology and earthquake engineering. The Global Task Force on Building Codes is one of it's activities.

Visit the IPRED website

International Recovery Platform (IRP)

The mission of the IRP is to identify gaps and constraints currently experienced in the context of disaster recovery and to serve as a catalyst for the development of tools, resources and capacity for resilient recovery. IRP strives to be an international source of knowledge on good recovery practice.

Visit the IRP website

Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR)

Established in 2008, PEDRR is a global alliance of UN agencies, NGOs and specialist institutes seeking to promote and scale-up ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and ensure it is mainstreamed into development planning at global, national and local levels, in line with the Hyogo Framework for Action. Its objective is to pool expertise and advocate for policy change and best practice in ecosystem management for disaster risk reductionand climate change adaptation.

Visit the PEDRR website

Thematic Platform on Knowledge and Education

Knowledge and education represent one of the priorities of the Hyogo Framework for Action. The thematic platform aims to strengthen networks, create new partnerships, identify focus areas and collectively advance the HFA though knowledge and education. Its members include ActionAid International, Council of Europe, FAO, IFRC, ITU, UNCRD, UNDP/BCPR, UN/ECE, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNU/EHS, UNV, WMO, ADRC, AU, and CRED.

United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER)

UN-SPIDER focuses on being a gateway to space information for disaster management support, by serving as a bridge to connect the disaster management and space communities and by being a facilitator of capacity-building and institutional strengthening, in particular for developing countries. UN-SPIDER is being implemented as an open network of providers of space-based solutions to support disaster management activities.

Visit the UN-SPIDER website