80,000 people, including 1,230 pregnant women, need humanitarian assistance after the devastating earthquake in Vanuatu. “It pains me to see this vibrant country battered by yet another natural disaster,” says Dr. Natalia Kanem, who recently visited the Pacific island. See how UNFPA is taking action.

Rifqi Irvansyah was nine when the tsunami struck in Aceh, Indonesia. Seeing his school rebuilt by UNOPS sparked a lifelong interest in disaster preparedness.

The Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004 – unleashed by an earthquake off the coast of Indonesia measuring 9.1 on the Richter scale – triggered the “most complex and wide-reaching emergency operations ever mounted” by the World Food Programme (WFP). The Tsunami also struck the Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and even Somalia. Entire coastal communities were wiped out and an estimated 228,000 people were killed. Banda Aceh, in Indonesia, was the epicenter of devastation. WFP photographer Rein Skullerud recalls heart-wrenching scenes after flying into the city, as the world rallied to help survivors.

On 26 December 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake in Sumatra triggered the deadliest tsunami in recorded history. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was a global wake-up call, claiming over 227,000 lives in 15 countries. For the past 20 years, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO has worked to better understand tsunamis, prepare coastal communities, and raise the alarm when waves occur. Today, 20 years after the Boxing Day tsunami, the Global Tsunami Warning System spans the Pacific, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and North-East Atlantic regions. When a significant sea-level disturbance is detected, it sends fast and accurate alerts to coastal communities, reducing response times and saving lives worldwide.

On the night of 10 September 2023, Storm Daniel caused devastating flooding in Libya's northeast region, particularly in the city of Derna. Thousands lost their lives, and tens of thousands were displaced. The UN and other organizations provided urgent humanitarian support after the flooding. Following the disaster, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and a local photographer and filmmaker, Mohammed Emnena, documented the community's resilience in the face of tragedy.

Starting in April, flash floods have wreaked havoc across Afghanistan, leaving at least 300 dead, hundreds injured, and nearly 9,000 homes destroyed. Thousands are now homeless. Roads, bridges, schools, and health facilities in Baghlan, Badakshan, Takhar, Faryab and Ghor are in ruins. But why are these sudden deluges so deadly, and what makes this disaster particularly devastating? On the surface, it might seem like a straightforward question, yet the answers unravel a complex weave of geography, climate change and socio-economic frailties, creating a polycrisis that’s hard to untangle. Here's what you need to know and how UNDP is trying to reduce its impact.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15 June) is the annual event dedicated to opposing elder abuse and recognizing the dignity and rights of older individuals. This year's theme, "Spotlight on Older Persons in Emergencies," underscores the urgent need to protect older individuals during crises. It calls for prioritizing their safety in emergency plans, developing inclusive policies, and providing education for responders and caregivers. By highlighting these issues, we can create a more protective environment for older persons and ensure that no one is left behind during emergencies.

Tropical storm Lisa left devastating effects on farmers in Belize, highlighting the crucial role of emergency assistance in building resilience against climate shocks in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

On 7 October 2023, two 6.3 magnitude earthquakes hit western Afghanistan, causing loss of lives, injuries, and damages. 1,384 people died and more than 21,500 homes were destroyed, affecting around 154,000 people. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) completed a rapid impact assessment of the damage caused to people, livestock, and crops within two days of the disaster, thanks to the Data in Emergencies (DIEM) Hub. DIEM combines remote sensing and primary data to provide a granular and rapid understanding of shocks, allowing for more informed and rapid responses.

Disasters are not inevitable. Proper preparation can lower a community's vulnerability and exposure to oncoming hazards. Do you have a plan before the next disaster strikes?

After Cyclone Idai, the Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project funded by the World Bank has been pivotal in helping Nation and his community rebuild and foster long-term resilience.

One year on, reproductive health and protection services have yet to fully recover. Many women and girls still remain in temporary shelters – in both Türkiye and Syria – where risks of violence, sexual exploitation and abuse have soared, and where access to services and support to prevent and respond to gender-based violence are limited. 

The devastating earthquakes in western Afghanistan have left a trail of sorrow, as narrated through the poignant stories of survivors like Dawood, Mahzada, and Raiza Gul. Trapped under debris and haunted by the cries of his daughter, Dawood emerged from the wreckage to discover the loss of his brother and another daughter. Mahzada's simple life in the village crumbled with the walls during the earthquake, leaving her family in darkness and despair. Meanwhile, Raiza Gul, saved by a twist of fate as she checked on her sheep, witnessed the collapse of her village and the tragic demise of 27 family members. These narratives emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive humanitarian aid, addressing shelter, medical care, and the unique vulnerabilities of women and children, to help these shattered communities rebuild amidst the harsh conditions of winter and the challenges of displacement.

Hind Khoudary, bears witness to the suffering befalling Gaza and how she and others are surviving. Seven weeks of relentless bombardment has left 1.8 million people displaced and acutely hungry.

Tsunamis pose a serious threat, especially to women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. This year's World Tsunami Awareness Day (5 November) aims to raise awareness about reducing risks and enhancing community preparedness. Although rare, tsunamis can be devastating, with an average death toll of 4,600 per disaster. The 2023 theme, "Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future," calls for all-society engagement and partnership in disaster risk reduction.