Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is about disaster mitigation or disaster preparedness, it is different to disaster relief and for the most part has a much lower profile. Although the impact is less dramatic it can be very effective.

Disaster risk reduction is a systematic approach to reducing vulnerability and should be regarded as part of long-term sustainable development work and should be a core element of development programme planning.

Disaster Risk Reduction includes interventions such as earthquake resistant housing, flood preparedness and rainwater harvesting in drought prone areas.

However, Practical Action’s work has demonstrated that secure and sustainable livelihoods not only reduce poverty but also reduce susceptibility to disasters. This is outlined at Mainstreaming livelihood-centred approaches to disaster management Mainstreaming Disaster Approaches.

The interventions relating to disaster are presented in three areas; disaster risk reduction looks at low cost but effective actions that can be taken in preparation of a potential disaster, disaster relief is undertaken in the immediate aftermath of an event and is not an area in which Practical Action specialises in, and disaster reconstruction looks at the more long term return to normality.