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October 13, 2023. In a time when disaster risks are inextricably linked with inequalities, the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation continues to make strides in addressing this critical issue. GEM’s global earthquake hazard and risk products, introduced on International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023, are expected to contribute to disaster risk management efforts globally, helping reduce vulnerabilities, and promoting equity.

Highlighting Inequality and Disaster Risk

The UN’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) for 2023 focused on the nexus between disaster risks and inequality. It emphasised how unequal access to resources and insurance often leaves the most vulnerable communities exposed to catastrophe. Additionally, disasters tend to exacerbate disparities, plunging marginalised communities further into poverty.

GEM's Contribution to Risk Reduction

GEM's newly released global earthquake hazard and risk products are key contributors to addressing this challenge. They provide vital insights into the world's varying risk landscape. This, in turn, equips risk managers, insurers, engineers, building regulators, and community planners with the data they need to formulate effective risk reduction strategies. These strategies encompass improving building safety and land use, enhancing earthquake preparedness, and incentivising risk transfer mechanisms such as insurance.

IDDRR 2023 Event Highlights

The GEM event featured several presentations from the secretariat team with Helen Crowley, GEM's Secretary General, leading the event and providing an introductory address, setting the stage for discussions on global earthquake hazard and risk. Innovative global flagship products were unveiled, including global seismic hazard and risk mosaics; over 200 updated national exposure and vulnerability models, and country seismic profiles; interactive geoviewers, and downloadable high-resolution image files of the global maps, promising to transform disaster risk management on a global scale. About 250 attendees from 52 countries were guided through accessing and effectively utilising GEM's new and improved products page.

Link to the event page.

Towards a more equitable future

GEM's IDDRR 2023 event celebrated the release of its new global earthquake hazard and risk products. These data and tools are poised to make a difference in disaster risk management, empowering a more equitable and resilient world. GEM remains at the forefront of disaster risk reduction, bringing us one step closer to a safer, more equitable future.

Q&A and Discussion

The event was interactive, featuring a lively question-and-answer session led by John Schneider, former Secretary General and currently Senior Advisor at GEM. The engaging interactions between the GEM presenters and participants encouraged an insightful exchange of ideas and perspectives. The summary of these discussions, along with the comprehensive list of questions and answers, are now available below.

Hazard

The following slides feature questions and answers regarding hazards discussed during the launch of GEM's global products, which took place on the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2023.

Fragility & Vulnerability

The following slides feature questions and answers regarding fragility and vulnerability discussed during the launch of GEM's global products, which took place on the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2023.

Exposure

The following slides feature questions and answers regarding exposure discussed during the launch of GEM's global products, which took place on the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2023.

Risk Assessment

The following slides feature questions and answers regarding risk assessment discussed during the launch of GEM's global products, which took place on the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2023.

Future Activities

The following slides feature questions and answers regarding GEM’s future activities discussed during the launch of GEM's global products, which took place on the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2023.

Resources

The following slides feature questions and answers regarding the availability of various resources discussed during the launch of GEM's global products, which took place on the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2023.