Interconnected, inter-dependent risks

This paper seeks to take stock of what has been done to address complex risks in risk management risks. Its intention is to highlight what is known and what risk managers can already do to better address complex risks. The publication also underlines the key challenges that need to be addressed in the future.

The policy recommendations (pp. 21-23) made in this publication are the following:

• acquire a whole-of-society approach to risk and vulnerability assessments;
• make interconnected risk assessments obligatory for any new larger scale infrastructure development;
• improve risk assessments regarding the interconnection between infectious diseases and other sectors;
• promote the availability and accessibility of data needed to develop good maps;
• link complex risk assessments to a monitoring and evaluation process of underlying risk drivers;
• treat disaster responses as an integral part of any disaster prevention policy; and
• coordinate and collaborate with non-governmental stakeholders.

This document is a background paper of the 2015 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction.