PreventionWeb empowers students with disaster resilience knowledge

News
10 April 2026
PreventionWeb is the global knowledge platform for disaster risk reduction, managed by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).It not only serves the information needs of DRR professionals but also provides a wealth of…

News was produced by: UNDRR

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PreventionWeb is the global knowledge platform for disaster risk reduction, managed by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

It not only serves the information needs of DRR professionals but also provides a wealth of resources for students to grow their knowledge, stay informed, and contribute to a global community of resilient practitioners.

Students from diverse academic backgrounds—including disaster management, climate adaptation, urban planning, and related fields— can understand DRR concepts better, power their research, build professional skills, or "meet" professionals engaged in reducing disaster risk.

Accessible information and learning opportunities are core pillars for building a safer, more resilient world. Students, young professionals, and everyone involved in making the world a safer place, can benefit by making the most out of PreventionWeb:

Learn and stay updated

  • Smart search: Tailor your searches to specific hazards, geographic regions or thematic areas such as climate adaptation or urban resilience. 
  • Staying updated: Set up alerts and following topics of interest so you can keep abreast of the latest trends, emerging research and upcoming events – from publications to research briefs. 
  • Follow the "Editor's picks": If you are overwhelmed by the volume of data, start with the curated "Highlights" on the homepage. These are hand-selected to highlight the most urgent and high-quality developments in the field.

Support your research

  • Latest research: Stay up to date with cutting-edge findings shaping disaster risk reduction. This page curates new research briefs, academic papers, peer-reviewed studies, and research-driven news.
  • Discover country-level risk: Explore documents focusing on hazard and vulnerability assessments at country-level. See how data, maps, and indicators are used to measure and compare risk.
  • Master the language of risk (DRR Glossary & HIPs): Ensure your academic work meets international standards by using the UNDRR Terminology section for precise definitions. To go deeper, leverage the Hazard Information Profiles (HIPs), a critical supplement that provides a common set of hazard definitions for over 300 hazards.
  • DRR solutions: These documented successes, measurable achievements, avoided disasters, and tangible outcomes serve as lessons for those planning actions to enhance resilience, reduce vulnerability, and protect communities.
  • Bridge policy and practice: Use the "Policy & Plans" filter to find actual government disaster strategies from specific countries. Comparing these documents is a great way for students to understand how global theory is applied at a national level.

Build your career

  • Build your capacities: Find training resources always available that help strengthen understanding of DRR concepts and approaches and locate organizations in your area working on disaster prevention. 
  • Navigate your career path: Beyond research, use the Careers in Resilience page to transition from student to professional. This dedicated space provides more than just a job board; it offers insights into the diverse career paths within DRR. You can filter for regional positions and aorganization types.

Organize an activity

  • UNDRR campaigns: Take part and increase public awareness for action on disaster resilience, supporting education and creating a culture of risk prevention.
  • Stop Disasters game: The STOP DISASTERS game helps adults and children understand how disaster risk is shaped by human choices.
  • Contribute and collaborate: This is your online notice board to stay informed and engage with the global disaster risk reduction (DRR) community.
  • Organization directory: The profiles present in the directory showcase institutions, (I)NGOs, research centers, private sector companies, and governmental bodies whose work contributes to building resilience, mitigating risks, and enhancing preparedness in the face of disasters.

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“PreventionWeb is a fantastic resource that I use in my work on a regular basis.”

- Comment by a student  

These practical insights were presented not just as tips but as stepping stones toward sustained involvement in the resilience community — whether participants were in classrooms, research institutions or early career stages. 

Why this matters 

Building resilience is a shared endeavour — one that benefits greatly from the creativity, energy and insight of the next generation. As disasters continue to intersect with climate change, rapid urbanization and socio-economic vulnerabilities, equipping young people with knowledge and networks is critical for advancing risk reduction goals. 

Early and sustained engagement with DRR knowledge and opportunities is essential to nurturing future professionals who will carry forward the principles of risk-informed development and community safety.

Live discovery session

PreventionWeb editors organize live events on LinkedIn twice a year to showcase PreventionWeb’s vast repository of resources and to empower attendees with practical skills for navigating the platform. Participants learn how to find cutting-edge research, the latest news, training opportunities, and other resources, all designed to help deepen their understanding of DRR and connect with the global resilience community.

In March 2026, participants reached up to 300 live viewers.

Watch the latest recording

Visit the key sections of PreventionWeb