GOAL 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
The BuildERS project aims to decrease inequality by strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities to disasters. The project will explore and asses the critical techno-social and cultural factors which make communities, agglomerations, regions and countries particularly vulnerable or capable to withstand an array of natural and man-made hazards. BuildERS will develop knowledge and insights that will be used to devise recommendations for policies, plans, strategies, and competencies for building partnerships, networks and trust for progressively fortifying the social capital and resilience against future threats, be they natural or man-induced. These protection mechanisms and safeguards will prevent the deepening of inequalities in the aftermath of disasters that disproportionately threaten the economic and physical well-being of vulnerable groups. Ultimately the project seeks to enhance social capital through bridging the gaps between individuals’ unbiased risk awareness and their current risk perceptions, as well as between current institutional capabilities and the needs of the citizens.
Relevant indicator: The BuildERS project will prevent the intensification of wealth inequality by advocating for measures and policies that protect vulnerable groups from falling deeper into poverty when they experience disasters.
GOAL 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations
By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels
To improve the overall resilience of people, communities and thereby the whole society, the BuildERS project focuses on the most vulnerable individuals, groups and communities. Strengthening the social capital, risk awareness and preparedness of the most vulnerable segments of the societies and communities will increase understanding on what societal resilience comprises. In this project, the knowledge, skills, and tools of individuals, communities and institutions are seen as crucial elements of resilience and considered within the institutional frameworks. Additionally, the trust and working relationships between individuals, groups, communities and institutions are considered as factors that build resilience. Furthermore, the project seeks to better understand the complexity of resilience and use this understanding to provide the groundwork for updated resilience policies recognizing the multiplicity of protection needs within different societies followed by the redesigning of strategic priorities and resource allocations.
Relevant indicator: The BuildERS project will highlight the social capital aspect of safe and resilient cities and propose policies to strengthen this resilience. Increased social capital and resilience will lead to vulnerable groups who are better equipped to withstand disasters.
GOAL 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries
he immediate links between disasters and climate change are evident, as are the impacts they have on lives and communities. As with the natural disasters themselves, the impacts of climate change are greatest among those who are most vulnerable.The BuildERS project seeks to map and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable groups to disasters through providing new and concrete tools and recommendations for prevention, inclusion, cognitive and material preparedness, alert systems, recovery, and social capital building.
Relevant indicator: Although not tackling the prevention of climate change, the BuildERS project aims to decrease the impact of climate-related disasters on vulnerable communities.