Collections: Learning from past disasters

Learn from past disasters on the PreventionWeb knowledge base. These collections explore the lessons learned from past disasters, what were the risk drivers, impacts and efforts towards building back better.

Temporary tents raised for the 2023 earthquake survivors in Turkiye
14 Feb 2023
On 6 February 2023, two earthquakes struck southern and central Türkiye, and northern and western Syria. The first had a magnitude of Mw 7.8 and the second Mw 7.7.
A laborer carries a sack of onions above floodwaters in Lahore, Pakistan
04 Mar 2024
From mid-June to August 2022, record-breaking rainfall fell over Pakistan culminating in widespread flooding that affected at least 33 million people and which submerged a third of the country. 
River bed and destroyed village after the July 2021 floods in Germany
14 Jul 2022
In July 2021, weather system ‘Bernd’ caused catastrophic damage and inconceivable human suffering in several European countries. Severe flooding, particularly in Germany, claimed more than 230 lives and left many communities in ruins.
Aerial view of Niuafo’ou volcano in Tonga
30 Aug 2023
In January 2022, a submarine volcanic eruption triggered a tsunami in the Pacific island state of Tonga. Despite successful disaster preparedness and response measuers, the events demonstrated the compound and cascading risk features of these hazards.
An Indian woman sparkling water on to the street in front of her light blue house.
29 Aug 2023
India and Pakistan are experiencing a record-shattering heatwave with temperatures exceeding 45℃ in many areas, leading to critical electricity and water shortages. In addition, the heatwave demonstrates the need for heat action plans.
Flooded street and house in Eastern South Africa
24 May 2022
South Africa experienced catastrophic floods and landslides in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape after exceptionally heavy rainfall. With lives lost, houses and roads destroyed, the cause of the disaster can be linked to climatic change.
Flooding in the streets of Brisbane in March 2022.
10 Mar 2022
Flooding in New South Wales and southeast Queensland has led to lost lives, homes, belongings, pets and livelihoods. This region, particularly Western Sydney, is no stranger to climate-related disasters.
La Palma volcanic eruption in 2021
04 Mar 2024
From Haiti to China, a look back at some of the forgotten disasters that struck in 2021.

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