Risk Identification & Assessment Networks & Communities

Central American Probabilistic Risk Assessment (CAPRA)

Understand disaster risk due to natural hazard events creates incentives for countries to develop tools to reduce potential damages. This is the reason why CAPRA, a comprehensive disaster risk assessment platform, was developed in partnership with Central American governments with the support of the Central American Coordination Centre for Disaster Prevention (CEPREDENAC), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the International Strategy of United Nations for Disaster Reduction (UN-ISDR) and the World Bank. CAPRA is based on a probabilistic risk assessment methodology and is composed of a set of tools for the evaluation and communication of risk at different territorial levels. CAPRA allows the user to evaluate losses on exposed elements using a probabilistic metrics, such as the exceedance probability curve, expected annual loss and probable maximum loss. The platform’s development is oriented to facilitate decision making including disaster risk management in the process. With CAPRA is possible, for example, to design risk transfer instruments and to evaluate probabilistic cost-benefit ratio. CAPRA provides an innovative tool for decision makers to analyze the net benefits of the risk reduction strategies, such as retrofitting of public infraestructure. CAPRA outputs and results can be used for land use planning, to estimate loss scenarios for emergency response, to build early warning systems and on-line loss assessment mechanisms, and for disaster risk holistic evaluation using indicators. Examples of CAPRA applications and capabilities will be include in this session to illustrate this innovative open architecture ad open source platform.

CAPRA is available online at: community.understandrisk.org/group/capra

Geohazards Community of Practice

The GHCP is a Community of Practice (CoP) supporting the Group on Earth Observations (GEO, http://www.earthobservations.org). The GHCP originated from the IGOS Geohazards Theme, which formed in the frame of the IGOS-Partnership.

The GHCP brings together groups and individuals involved in various aspects of geohazards, including research, monitoring and risk assessments, mitigation, and adaptation. The GHCP aims to provide a link between the broad geohazards community of practice and GEO in order to:

- ensure that the needs of this community are taken into account in the development of Global earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS),
- facilitate support and participation of this community in the building of GEOSS, and
- promote the use of GEOSS for geohazards-related applications.

The GHCP also provides a communication and coordinating platform for high level policy makers and the broader geohazards community.

Global Development Network (GDNet)

GDNet provides southern researchers with a space to profile their work and opportunities to engage with others working in development policy and practice including topics such as Disaster Risk Reduction or Climate Change Adaptation. The tools and services that it offers have been developed specifically to support researchers working in developing countries and to make their work known to an international audience.

The GDNet Knowledgebase is a comprehensive internet portal to development research produced in developing countries. Free to use, it features more than 16,500 research papers which are accompanied by clear conclusion based summaries. You can browse by topic through the GDNet Thematic Windows.

Global Risk Identification Program (GRIP)

The Global Risk Identification Program (GRIP) targets areas of the world where disaster is a major factor in reducing sustainable development. It was launched in June 2007 by UNDP highlighting the importance of Disaster Risk Reduction in achieving the Millennium Goals. Its objectives are an improved evidence base for disaster risk management and an increased adoption of risk evidence in disaster risk management and development processes. GRIP's partners are local institutions and governments, UNDP BCPR, the World Bank, The Government of Norway, DFID, USAID, IADB, Munich Ree Foundation, UN ISDR, Cabinet Office (JP), DFC, IFRC, Provention.

Green Recovery and Reconstruction Toolkit (GRRT) CoP

The Green Recovery and Reconstruction Toolkit (GRRT) is a training program designed to increase awareness and knowledge of environmentally sustainable disaster response approaches. The GRRT is made of ten modules which are designed to be delivered in a one-day training workshop: (i) opportunities after disasters - introduction to green recovery and reconstruction; (ii) project design; (iii) monitoring and evaluation; (iv) environmental impact assessment tools and techniques; (v) green guide to strategic site selection and development; (vi) green guide to materials and the supply chain; (vii) green guide to construction; (viii) green guide to water and sanitation; (ix) green guide to livelihoods; and (x) green guide to disaster risk reduction and greening organizational operations.

Knowledge sharing platform on disaster risk reduction

DisasterPreparedness.ICIMOD.org is a Knowledge Sharing Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) practitioners. The website is community driven, and mainly serves as a dynamic online repository for materials such as publications, reports, articles, links and news related to DRR.

For more information, visit: http://www.disasterpreparedness.icimod.org/dipecho-list.php We welcome you all to join our Group Mail which facilitates knowledge-networking among more than 400 DRR practitioners.

SRA (Society for Risk Analysis)

The Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) provides an open forum for anyone interested in risk analysis. Risk analysis includes risk assessment, risk characterization, risk communication, risk management, and policy relating to risk. The interests of this society includes built and natural risks to human health and the environment. Threats from physical, chemical, and biological agents and from a variety of human activities as well as natural events are considered. It analyses risks of concern to individuals, to public and private sector organizations, and to society at various geographic scales. Its membership is multidisciplinary and international.

The Lighthill Risk Network

An international initiative linking business with other communities interested in risk. The specific aim is to facilitate and enhance knowledge transfer into business, initially insurance, from academic, government, professional and commercial experts at the forefront of risk-related research. It is not-for-profit and dedicated to establishing and fostering links that create value between all its members. Sitting at the centre of this community, the Lighthill Risk Network is in a unique position to connect the right people, on the right problems, rapidly.