Prevention

Prevention is a long-term strategy to reduce the frequency of emergencies and to mitigate their negative consequences on communities. It focuses first on strategies to limit the number of emergencies, whether that is through livelihoods' diversification strategies or promoting risk awareness or a variety of other projects in collaboration with host communities and governments.  

Prevention focuses second on building resilience in the face of future crises. The Asia-Pacific region is home to 60 percent of the world’s population – 4.3 billion people – and is particularly prone to environmental crises. Consequently, Asia-Pacific endures 80 percent of sudden onset natural disaster-induced displacement. In addition, ongoing displacement occurs from conflict, pandemics, natural disasters and other causes, each of which calls for its own systems of prevention. As such, prevention in the region is broad and inclusive.  

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

IOM’s work on DRR and environmental degradation contributes to the efforts of Member States to implement the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Situating mobility and displacement at the center of their operational strategy, IOM’s DRR activities include reduction of disaster-induced displacement by directly addressing the dimensions of mobility in prevention and preparedness activities. This includes disaster risk assessments, awareness raising, structural protection measures, planned relocations and environmental protection. IOM DRR programs also aim to mitigate the impacts of displacement through risk-informed responses, to strengthen resilience by “building back safer” in recovery and reconstruction efforts, and to expand and fortify partnerships to support integration of mobility perspectives in global risk reduction efforts.