Resilience Begins at Home: Why Safer Homes Matter for Disaster Risk Reduction

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Resilience Begins at Home: Why Safer Homes Matter for Disaster Risk Reduction

Resilience Begins at Home: Why Safer Homes Matter for Disaster Risk Reduction

Ganesh Khatiwada 2026-10-01 07:10:00

Kathmandu, Nepal - As the world prepares to observe the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) on 13 October, attention is turning to one of the most fundamental building blocks of disaster resilience: the home.
A resilient home is not created only when a disaster strikes. Its resilience begins much earlier-with decisions about where it is built, how it is constructed and how it is maintained over time.
📍 Location matters. The choice of where a home is built can determine its exposure to hazards such as floods, landslides, earthquakes and other natural and climate-related risks.
🧱 Construction matters. Building methods, materials and adherence to appropriate safety standards can significantly influence how well a house withstands hazardous events.
🔧 Maintenance matters. Regular maintenance can help identify and reduce vulnerabilities before they become serious risks, while neglected weaknesses can increase a household's exposure to disaster.
The message is particularly relevant for countries such as Nepal, where communities face multiple hazards, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, avalanches, fires and climate-related extreme weather. Rapid urbanisation and development in hazard-prone areas further underline the importance of risk-informed construction and land-use decisions.
The 2026 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction provides an opportunity to look beyond emergency response and recognise that disaster resilience starts with everyday decisions made at household and community level.
When homes are safer, families are better protected. And when safer homes are combined with resilient infrastructure, informed communities, early warning systems and effective preparedness, communities are better positioned to withstand and recover from disasters.
The central message is simple: resilience starts at home.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed every year on 13 October to promote a global culture of disaster risk reduction and highlight efforts to reduce disaster losses and build safer, more resilient communities.
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