Case studies

This collection of case studies from across the globe showcases practical, real-world examples of disaster risk management and disaster risk reduction in action.

The need to understand, adapt to, and mitigate disaster risks is greater than ever. These case studies are in-depth studies of a particular case in a real-world context. Each case study highlights unique challenges, innovative solutions, and impactful outcomes, providing insight into the strategies that communities, organizations, and governments have implemented to protect lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems.

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Case study
Kiribati
How Kiribati is combining housing insurance and digital governance to protect against drought
The Republic of Kiribati is facing rising seas and intensifying drought cycles. In 2023, it launched a community-based parametric insurance scheme in partnership with UNCDF and UNDP, offering pre-agreed payouts.
  • Kiribati - government
Case study
India
Harnessing data to reduce GLOF risk in the Indian Himalayas
The Strengthening Climate Change Adaptation in the Himalayas (SCA-Himalayas) project —supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)— has launched a Swiss-Indian initiative focused on data-driven GLOF risk management.
  • Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Case study
AI meets rising waters: How Google’s Flood Hub is saving lives with smarter forecasts
Google’s Flood Hub is reshaping how the world responds to one of its most devastating natural hazards. The platform uses artificial intelligence to forecast floods up to seven days in advance.
  • Google
Case study
Barbados
Barbados: 3D Printing to expand local weather monitoring
The Barbados Meteorological Services has significantly enhanced its capacity to monitor weather conditions across the island, enabling more accurate and community-specific data on temperature, wind direction, wind speed, and rainfall.
  • Barbados - government
Case study
Türkiye
Türkiye’s schools stand strong
When devastating earthquakes struck Türkiye on February 6, 2023, the nation’s investment in school safety was put to the ultimate test. In the 11 affected provinces, only 60 out of 15,799 school buildings sustained damage.
  • Türkiye - government
Case study
Korea, Rep of
Earthquake-safe schools in the Republic of Korea
Between 2020 and 2024, Korea made significant strides in protecting children and strengthening community resilience to disasters. One of the most visible achievements was increasing the seismic reinforcement rate of school buildings from 55.8% to 76.2%.
  • Korea, Republic of - government
Case study
Zimbabwe
WHH Zimbabwe’s community-led anticipatory action
In Zimbabwe’s Mbire District rural communities dependent on agriculture and livestock face growing threats to their livelihoods. In July 2024, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Zimbabwe, piloted an innovative approach to anticipatory action.
  • Welthungerhilfe (former: German Agro Action)
Case study
India
India: Women of Nandgarh lead science-based solutions to the water crisis
In the Indian rural village of Nandgarh, a group of young women aged 25–35, each with a basic education in science, stepped forward to confront one of their community’s most pressing challenges: water scarcity and declining groundwater quality.
  • Panjab University
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