The frequency and intensity of natural hazards, including hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, are reaching unprecedented levels and devastating communities across the globe.
Just last year, we witnessed the destruction caused by Hurricane Idalia, which left thousands displaced and caused billions in damages along the Gulf Coast. In addition, wildfires in Australia and California consumed millions of acres of land, displacing wildlife and threatening human lives. As we face an increasing number of disasters from natural hazards and humanitarian crises, the need for innovative and large-scale solutions has never been greater.
Simultaneously, humanitarian crises are escalating in complexity and scope. The conflict in Sudan has led to massive displacement and severe food insecurity, while the ongoing situation in Ukraine continues to create ripple effects throughout Europe and beyond. These crises are compounded by the ongoing impacts of climate change, economic instability and political unrest, creating a perfect storm that demands our immediate attention.
In a 2017 Harvard Business Review article, Susan Wolf Ditkoff and Abe Grindle wrote of the power that comes from pushing boundaries. Naming some of philanthropy’s biggest successes, from marriage equality to vaccines, they note that these “were the inconceivable moonshots of their day before they were inevitable success stories in retrospect.”
Philanthropy holds the potential to drive transformative change, especially when guided by a framework that encourages ambition and innovation. By focusing on clear, measurable outcomes and fostering collaboration across sectors, we can tackle even the most entrenched problems. Investment in resilience and risk reduction alongside innovative approaches would protect vulnerable communities and build a safer, more sustainable future.
Using a research-based framework the authors present of the five elements for “large-scale, swing-for-the-fences change.” With that framework in mind, here are some ideas towards a moonshot for disaster prevention:
1. Build a Shared Understanding
By developing a comprehensive understanding of disaster risk and its ecosystem, we can identify effective and adaptive strategies for mitigation and preparedness. The interconnectedness of different disasters in various geographies is becoming increasingly evident as global systems — environmental, economic, and social — are more interdependent than ever before. Natural hazards, humanitarian crises or the impacts of climate change in one region often have cascading effects that reach far beyond their immediate vicinity.
For example, when a drought hits sub-Saharan Africa, it doesn’t just affect local agriculture and food security; it can lead to mass displacement, conflict over dwindling resources, and increased migration pressures on neighboring countries. Similarly, the wildfires in Canada or California can affect air quality across entire continents, stretching as far as Europe. A shared understanding will lead to a unified vision for disaster prevention, decreasing siloing and short-term thinking, and enabling collaboration across sectors, including governments, NGOs and local communities.
2. Set Winnable Milestones
Transformative change is a journey marked by achievable milestones. By setting clear, measurable goals, we can track progress and maintain momentum. Winnable milestones for disaster prevention include universal early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure and the establishment of disaster response funds or insurance mechanisms for vulnerable communities. These milestones, paired with simplified, compelling messages rooted in the communities’ voices, will help rally support and inspire collective action.
3. Design for Massive Scale
Natural hazards and human-made crises do not respect borders; we need to respond similarly in our prevention activities. To prevent disasters on a global scale, solutions must be designed for widespread implementation and collaboration. This involves harnessing technology, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and experimenting with and creating scalable models that can be adapted to diverse environments and contexts.
For instance, NOAA’s Pacific Tsunami Warning System monitors seismic activity across the Pacific region, alerting nations from Chile to Japan of potential threats. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ community-based disaster preparedness approaches offer adaptable models that emphasize local participation and context-specific risk reduction. These initiatives are wide-reaching, but tailored to diverse environments, from cyclone-prone Bangladesh to earthquake-vulnerable Haiti.
4. Drive Demand
Prevention efforts must resonate with communities and stakeholders to be successful. Recognizing and respecting local knowledge in program design enhances relevance, fosters ownership, increases trust and cooperation, and leads to long-term engagement and sustainability. When communities are involved, prevention activities can be designed with knowledge of locale-specific risks and adapted to culturally aware mitigation methods. Ultimately, aligning prevention strategies with community needs ensures they become integrated, lasting solutions that enhance resilience and reduce disaster risks.
5. Embrace Course Corrections
As we innovate and implement disaster prevention strategies, it is vital to remain nimble, flexible and adaptive. Learning from experience, being receptive to the risk of failure and a willingness to pivot allows us to refine our approaches and increase the impact of our efforts.
The audacious goal of disaster prevention is not only achievable but necessary for a safer, more resilient world. By applying this framework, we can galvanize philanthropy to push the boundaries of what is possible and create lasting change.
Together, let us commit to this moonshot and transform our approach to disaster prevention, ensuring that future generations inherit a more secure and sustainable world.
Patricia McIlreavy is president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. Follow her on LinkedIn.
