Disaster Risk Reduction and Sendai Framework Training Course

Participants can structure a multi-hazard risk assessment and document its evidence base.

• Multi-hazard risk assessment workflow from scoping through validation
• Hazard profiles using frequency, intensity, duration and spatial extent
• Exposure datasets for people, assets, services and critical infrastructure
• Vulnerability analysis covering physical, social, economic and environmental factors
• Capacity assessment identifying coping resources, response assets and institutional readiness
• Risk matrices calibrated through likelihood, consequence and uncertainty criteria
• Scenario construction for plausible compound and cascading disaster events

Participants can evaluate risk information quality and communicate risk findings for decisions.

• Risk information governance: custodians, update cycles, metadata and access controls
• Geographic information systems for hazard, exposure and vulnerability mapping
• Disaggregating risk data by sex, age, disability and location
• INFORM Risk Index components and interpretation for prioritisation
• Ground-truthing maps through community knowledge and field verification
• Communicating uncertainty, assumptions and data limitations to decision-makers

Participants can design governance arrangements that assign DRR responsibilities and accountability.

• National disaster risk reduction strategies aligned with Sendai Target E
• Roles of disaster management agencies, line ministries and local authorities
• Stakeholder mapping using power-interest grids and accountability assignments
• Risk-informed development screening for public investments and land-use decisions
• Legal and policy review against Sendai priorities and national mandates
• Community participation mechanisms for inclusive disaster risk reduction decisions

Participants can identify and prioritise risk reduction measures using practical investment criteria.

• Prospective, corrective and compensatory risk management intervention categories
• Risk-sensitive land-use planning using zoning, setbacks and building controls
• Critical infrastructure resilience assessment for power, water, health and transport
• Nature-based solutions assessed for hazard mitigation and maintenance requirements
• Building code compliance checks for earthquake, flood and wind hazards
• Cost-benefit analysis comparing mitigation investments with avoided losses
• Prioritisation criteria balancing risk reduction, feasibility, equity and co-benefits

Participants can specify early warning and contingency arrangements that support timely protective action.

• Multi-hazard early warning systems using the MHEWS four elements
• Warning chains from detection through dissemination, interpretation and protective action
• Common Alerting Protocol messages structured for timely public communication
• Contingency plans with triggers, roles, resources and activation procedures
• Evacuation planning for accessible routes, transport, shelters and accountability
• Tabletop simulation design using injects, decisions, logs and after-action reviews

Participants can connect anticipatory action, response arrangements and recovery planning within the DRR cycle.

• Anticipatory action protocols tied to forecast thresholds and pre-agreed financing
• Incident command arrangements and emergency operations centre coordination
• Rapid needs assessments distinguishing immediate needs from recovery requirements
• Post-disaster needs assessment sectors, damage, loss and recovery calculations
• Build Back Better principles embedded within recovery policy and project design
• Recovery monitoring indicators tracking housing, livelihoods, services and inclusion

Participants can assess financing options and prepare evidence for disaster risk reduction investment decisions.

• Disaster risk financing layers: budget reserves, insurance and contingent credit
• Fiscal risk assessment for government exposure and contingent liabilities
• Risk transfer suitability assessed through frequency, severity and affordability
• Contingency financing procedures linked to emergency response triggers
• Public investment appraisal incorporating climate and disaster risk scenarios
• Documenting avoided losses and co-benefits for investment cases

Participants can build a results framework and track progress against Sendai-aligned indicators.

• Sendai global targets A–G and the Sendai Framework Monitor
• Indicators, baselines and targets structured in a results framework
• Disaster loss databases using DesInventar Sendai data fields
• Outcome and output indicators distinguished from activities and inputs
• Data quality assurance checks for completeness, consistency and timeliness
• After-action reviews converting lessons identified into assigned improvements
• Reporting progress to leadership, communities, donors and statutory bodies

Participants can prepare a practical action plan for applying course methods in their workplace.

• Sendai-aligned baseline assessment using a priority-by-capacity gap matrix
• DRR action plan scope, objectives, activities, owners and milestones
• RACI matrices assigning delivery, oversight, consultation and information roles
• Sequencing interventions through dependencies, budgets and implementation windows
• Change management actions addressing incentives, resistance and accountability
• Review cycles linking risk information, performance evidence and plan revisions
• Personal 90-day application plan with defined workplace actions

Participants need basic familiarity with disaster management, climate adaptation, emergency planning or development planning. No prior study of the Sendai Framework, GIS expertise or advanced quantitative training is required.

Bring a laptop if possible and a current risk, emergency, resilience or development planning document from your workplace. Participants may also bring examples of recent incidents, risk assessments or planning challenges for use during application planning.

The course is designed for intermediate practitioners in government, NGOs, humanitarian organisations, utilities, financial institutions and major employers. It is particularly relevant to staff who contribute to DRR planning, preparedness, infrastructure resilience, public investment or recovery programmes.

Emergency response training focuses mainly on managing an incident, while business continuity training focuses on sustaining organisational operations. This course addresses the wider disaster risk reduction cycle, including risk creation, prevention, governance, investment, preparedness, recovery and Sendai reporting.

Participants can use the risk assessment template, governance matrix, early warning checklist and results framework in current planning work. The final module produces a 90-day application plan with actions, owners and milestones for workplace follow-through.

Training runs from 08:30 to 16:30 each day, with about 6.5 contact hours daily. Time is divided among instructor input, case analysis, group work, simulations, technical review and action planning across ten modules.