Helpful resources

Collection of Helpful Resources

This page provides links to helpful resources that we have identified, i.e. interesting and relevant websites or apps.

Knowledge Base

PreventionWeb

PreventionWeb is a collaborative knowledge sharing platform on disaster risk reduction (DRR), managed by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). The site offers a range of knowledge products and services to facilitate the work of DRR professionals.

Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT)

The main objective of the database is to serve the purposes of humanitarian action at national and international levels. The initiative aims to rationalise decision making for disaster preparedness, as well as provide an objective base for vulnerability assessment and priority setting. EM-DAT contains essential core data on the occurrence and effects of over 22,000 mass disasters in the world from 1900 to the present day. The database is compiled from various sources, including UN agencies, non-governmental organisations, insurance companies, research institutes and press agencies.

Social Media

Search Engines

Social Searcher

Social Searcher is a free social media search engine, also available for iOS devices at the App Store

Demographics

The 2022 Social Media Demographics Guide

Crowdsourcing Websites

European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC)

For potentially destructive earthquakes, the EMSC operates an Earthquake Notification Service in which email/SMS/fax are disseminated to the registered end-users within 20–30 minutes on average after the earthquake occurrence. It also provides an app including a report option for citizens (available for iOS and Android).

Dürremonitor Deutschland – Drought Monitor Germany (in German)

Earthquake Monitor Istituto Nazionale Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Italy (in Italian)

Risk Mapping & Warning

Information for the Lombardia Region, Italy

Weather radar, Italy

Radar-DPC is the platform of the Civil Protection Department that allows to see on a national scale both ongoing phenomena and phenomena recorded within 24 hours through the elaboration in real time of raw data from the national radar network, rain and temperature stations networks, satellite data and lightning network.

Weather warnings, Germany

The German Weather Service (DWD) is responsible for meeting the meteorological needs of all economic and social sectors in Germany, including

• Provision of meteorological and climatological services
• Meteorological protection of aviation (aeronautical meteorological service), maritime shipping, transport routes and important infrastructures - especially energy supply and communication systems
• Issuing official warnings about weather phenomena

European Flood Awareness System

The aim of EFAS is to support preparatory measures before major flood events strike, particularly in the large trans-national river basins and throughout Europe in general. EFAS is the first operational European system monitoring and forecasting floods across Europe.It provides complementary, added-value information (e.g. probabilistic, medium range flood forecasts, flash flood indicators or impact forecasts) to the relevant national and regional authorities. Furthermore, EFAS keeps the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) informed about ongoing and possibly upcoming flood events across Europe.

European Drought Observatory

European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts

European Forest Fire Information System

Copernicus Emergency Management Service - Mapping

Rapid Mapping provides geospatial information within hours or days of a service request in order to support emergency management activities in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.

Risk & Recovery Mapping supplies geospatial information in support of Disaster Management activities including prevention, preparedness, risk reduction and recovery phases.

Emergency Response Coordination

ERCC – European Response Coordination Centre

EADRCC – Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre

GDACS – Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

E-Learning

Resilience and Disaster Risk Management Learning Lab

In partnership with the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), the World Bank has, over the past decade, emerged as a global leader in assessing exposure to hazards and addressing disaster risks. Drawing on our accumulated experience and expertise, these virtually facilitated and self-paced courses are designed to enhance your knowledge as a resilience and disaster risk management professional.