International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
As the world faces the mounting impacts of climate change—rising sea levels, more intense storms, droughts, and floods—the need to strengthen disaster resilience has never been more urgent. On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, it is crucial to highlight how technology can help societies prevent, prepare for, and recover from disasters more effectively. A recent study published in Environmental Development and Sustainability by Hossin et al. offers a powerful reminder: information and communications technology (ICT) can be a game-changer in disaster risk reduction.
The study, which reviewed 28 key documents, examines how ICT tools can support every stage of disaster management—before, during, and after an event. Technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) enable better forecasting, early warning, and rapid response. For example, AI can analyze satellite data to predict flooding, while IoT sensors can detect earthquakes or rising water levels in real time, giving communities crucial extra minutes to evacuate or prepare.
ICT also plays a vital role in coordinating disaster response. Drones can deliver medical supplies to hard-to-reach areas, while communication platforms can connect first responders, relief agencies, and affected communities. This not only improves the speed and efficiency of operations but also saves lives.
Crucially, the authors of the article highlight how ICT strengthens resilience through three key capacities:
- Adaptive capacity, by helping communities adjust to changing risks;
- Absorptive capacity, by enabling faster recovery and minimizing impacts;
- Transformative capacity, by supporting long-term shifts in how societies manage risk.
The study also connects these technological opportunities to global climate action, particularly following COP26, celebrated in 2021. The upcoming COP30 (November 10-21, 2025) represents a historic opportunity to accelerate this transformation. Taking place in Belém, in the heart of the Amazon, the summit will bring global attention to solutions that combine sustainability, climate action, and social justice. This setting creates a unique moment for governments, international organizations, tech companies, and local communities to advance the strategic use of ICT in climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction policies.
However, the authors caution that technology alone is not enough. Challenges such as unequal access to digital tools, lack of infrastructure, and data management issues can limit effectiveness. Moreover, as Ulrich Beck argued in his theory of the risk society, the distribution of risks is far from equal. Climate impacts and disaster risks disproportionately affect the most vulnerable communities—those with the fewest resources to adapt or respond. This unequal exposure deepens social inequalities and underscores the urgency of ensuring that ICT-based solutions are inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all.
On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, governments, organizations, and communities are called to embrace ICT not as an optional tool, but as a core component of climate resilience strategies. By investing in digital innovation, bridging technological divides, and integrating ICT into disaster planning, we can build a safer and more resilient future for all.
References
- Hossin, M.A., Chen, L., Asante, I.O., Boadi, E.A., & Adu-Yeboah, S.S. (2025). Climate change and COP26: role of information technologies in disaster management and resilience. Environment, Development & Sustainability, 27, 5659-5685. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-04134-8
Editor of Daily 27.
Predoctoral researcher at the Department of Sociology in University of Barcelona.