Building urban resilience: A guide for Red Cross and Red Crescent engagement and contribution

Outcome report of the partnership on urban disaster risk reduction and management

This guide is one of the outcome documents of the Partnership on Urban Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and has been prepared to share the key findings of the Partnership and to contribute to the effective engagement of National Societies in responding to urban risks and enhancing urban resilience.

It is estimated that by 2050 66 per cent of the world’s population will be urban, while rapid and unplanned urbanization will also continue to see a dramatic rise in informal settlements. Aside from the negative impacts of improper urbanization on socioeconomic development, the risks and humanitarian consequences of rapid urbanization are alarmingly increasing. Major disasters occurring in various parts of the world in the past decade have created more losses and damages in cities than in other areas.