Disaster prevention

Natural disasters are increasing 
in times of climate change. 
Therefore, disaster preparedness 
and proactive humanitarian aid 
are more important than ever, 
warns Aktion Deutschland Hilft 
on the International Day for 
Disaster Risk Reduction.

Proactive aid saves lives
“Disaster preparedness budgets 
have always been tight. However, 
this crucial area should not be 
neglected, even with limited 
resources,” emphasizes disaster 
preparedness expert at Aktion 
Deutschland Hilft.

She explains: “Because disaster 
preparedness and proactive 
humanitarian aid are more effective 
and also more cost-efficient than 
providing emergency relief after 
a disaster.”

Many disasters can be traced back 
to foreseeable situations. “That’s 
why proactive aid is so important 
to save lives and minimize suffering.”

Innovative Solutions for Coastal Protection
In 2024, partner organizations 
implemented 54 disaster preparedness 
projects with donations from Aktion 
Deutschland Hilft.

For example, our partner organization 
ADRA in Mozambique is protecting over 
1,000 square kilometers of coastline 
from erosion and storm surges by 
planting mangroves, seagrass, and 
coral reefs.

Data and Analysis Predict Hazards
The partner organization World Vision is 
involved in providing data for early 
warning systems in several countries, 
promoting climate-adapted agriculture, 
reforestation, and the protection of water 
sources. Proactive humanitarian aid is also 
being provided:

Thanks to accurate data and analysis, 
hazards such as storm surges can be 
predicted, and so-called action protocols 
with protective measures can be implemented 
in time for disasters to occur—including 
evacuations, food distribution, and the 
opening of emergency shelters.

Budget cuts also affect disaster preparedness
However, the shrinking budgets for 
humanitarian aid are restricting the work 
of some of our partner organizations: “The 
international funding cuts for humanitarian 
aid are hitting the area of disaster 
preparedness particularly hard,” says Head of 
Programs at partner Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe.

“Targeted aid projects, such as the installation 
of early warning systems or in the area of 
climate-adapted agriculture, can prevent 
humanitarian disasters. Due to the funding 
cuts, a significant portion of these projects 
are being eliminated – with serious 
consequences,” she laments.

Shrinking budgets for new projects
The aid organization is forced to scale 
back disaster preparedness measures in 
Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Syria. For 
example, a project in Syria was cut by 
50 percent by donors. As a result, 480 
households will not receive water-saving 
drip irrigation systems, and the project 
is being reduced from seven to two regions.

Our alliance organization ADRA is also 
scaling back its activities in the field 
of disaster preparedness compared to the 
previous year: There are projects that can 
no longer be financed, as well as fewer new 
prevention projects because the funds are 
insufficient.

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