World disasters report 2014: focus on culture and risk

This year’s World Disasters Report focuses on culture and risk. It explores the different ways in which culture affects disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and how disasters and risk influence culture. It examines why people choose to live in hazard-prone locations, and how culture and beliefs enable them to live with the risks they face. The report looks at the organizational culture of agencies working in the fields of disaster risk reduction and adaptation, and challenges the widespread faith in community-based activities. It also considers culture in relation to housing and reconstruction, and healthcare and medicine. Finally, the document indicates starting points for organizations to better align their actions with the way people think and act.

The World Disasters Report 2014 features:

• the links between culture and risk;
• how religion and beliefs influence perceptions of and attitudes towards risk;
• taking livelihoods seriously;
• the myth of community;
• culture, risk and the built environment;
• culturally sensitive public health: the HIV/AIDS disaster and beyond;
• putting culture at the centre of risk reduction;
• disaster data.