Stop Disasters: The game that turns disaster prevention into a real-life challenge
What if you were in charge of protecting a community from the next big disaster? Would you know where to start - and what to prioritise when resources are tight?
UNDRR's Stop Disasters online game puts you in the shoes of a disaster risk manager. In just 10-20 minutes, you'll face the kind of decisions real civil protection professionals make daily - with limited time, limited money, and lives on the line.
It's strategic, challenging, and surprisingly emotional.
"I had to think about escape routes, upgrade facilities, prepare people, and still keep track of the money," said Hailey Wilson, a student in disaster studies at University College London.
Every choice matters, from deciding where to build a shelter to planning evacuation routes. The game doesn't just teach - it transforms how you think about disaster preparedness.
Players report that the game challenges them, as it's not just about learning, it's about strategically combining all the different bits and pieces.
When a game feels real
UNDRR’s Stop Disasters Game turns disaster preparedness into a fast-paced, emotionally impactful simulation.
Perhaps the most striking part of the Stop Disasters game is how quickly it pulls you into the human side of risk.
"When the system showed I had more casualties, I was about to cry… although this is just a game. That feeling means it has achieved its goal," mentionned Armine Hayrapetyan, Sendai Focail Point of Armenia.
This emotional impact is why the game has value far beyond the classroom. It can be used at different levels - with students, local councils, and governments.
Why play?
- Hands-on learning: Every decision you make - from building seawalls to reinforcing schools - has visible, measurable consequences. Experience the cause-and-effect of choices instantly.
- Multiple hazards: Prepare for a variety of scenarios, including tsunamis, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and hurricanes. Each hazard presents its own unique challenges.
- Fast but meaningful: Each round takes between 10 and 20 minutes - perfect for classrooms, workshops, or a quick lunch break challenge.
- Easily accessible: The game can be played online by children and adults, individually or in groups. The controls are simple, and the messages are clear.
- Replay value: No two games need to be the same. Try different strategies, make different trade-offs, and see how your decisions change the outcome.
The more you play, the more you refine your approach to protecting communities and reducing losses!
The game is currently available in seven languages!
To translate it into your own language, please contact us.
How the game applies to work, school and everyday life
Hear from disaster risk experts, students, and practitioners on five powerful ways you can use the Stop Disasters game.
The beauty of the game is its flexibility. Whether you're a student, a trainer, a civil protection professional or just someone who loves strategy games, there's a way to make it work for you.
"The game made me realise that disaster preparedness isn’t just about strategy — it’s about empathy, awareness, and protecting the lives behind every building and plan."
- from the game survey
It can help colleagues build a shared language around disaster risk reduction in workplaces. In professional trainings, it condenses years of field experience into an accessible, hands-on format, helping even emergency responders see how different components of disaster risk management fit together.
Academic institutions can integrate it into curricula for students studying disaster risk management, while at the community-level - from risk planners to villagers - the game can be used as an engaging public education tool. Even outside formal settings, it's a great activity for family and friends, especially for those who enjoy strategy games and want to learn how to prepare for natural hazards.
Ready to test your disaster preparedness skills?
The Stop Disasters game is more than fun - it's an accessible, strategic, and thought-provoking way to learn how our choices can save lives.