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
United States of America
US wildfire, 2021- Forensic analysis
In December 2021, Boulder County experienced the most destructive wildfire in Colorado’s history. The fire began in a grassy area in the suburban town of Marshall and spread rapidly due to strong winds, which reached up to 160 kilometres per hour.
  • United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
Case study
Mexico
Mexico earthquake, 2017- Forensic analysis
On September 19, 2017, in the middle of the day, an intraplate earthquake happened about 120 km from Mexico City at a depth of 57 km.
  • United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
Case study
Bolivia, Plurinational State of Peru Nepal
River monitoring for early warning systems using lidar sensors
Practical Action together with Imperial College London are testing light detection and ranging (lidar) sensors in Nepal, Peru, and Bolivia. These sensors can be used to improve river level monitoring and provide more useful flood early warnings.
  • Flood Resilience Portal
Case study
United States of America
Electrical power substation flood mitigation at the COPCO II Yard Expansion Project in Hornbrook, California
This case study highlights how Mayim Flood Barriers from Garrison Flood Control were selected to safeguard electrical substations in a high-risk flood zone.
  • Garrison Flood Control Systems, LLC
Case study
Senegal
Case Study: A health early warning system to reduce extreme heat impacts in Senegal
This case study profiles the efforts of NOAA and other partners to enhance the region’s preparedness and response capabilities, mitigating the health threats of climate change through heat-health early warning (HHEW) systems in the Sahel.
  • United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Case study
Bahamas Belize
Climate resilient integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) governance and performance indicators in The Bahamas: a case study
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) developed the Climate Resilient Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Governance and Performance Indicators during 2018 and conducted a pilot study in Belize in 2019.
  • Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
Case study
Australia
Managing elections during floods: the case of Victoria, Australia
The aims of this case study is, among others, to give an overview of how the floods and related events unfolded in Victoria, and to explain the legal and institutional background of the Victoria Elections Commission.
  • International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)
Case study
Africa
IGAD case study
This contribution to the GAR Special Report on Drought 2021 is a case study on the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The key massage entails that East Africa is one of the regions in the world most affected by droughts.
  • United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
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