Conceptual framework

SDC assists partners – governments, civil society, communities, the private sector and international organisations and NGOs – in disaster-prone countries in the planning and implementation of targeted activities for the proactive reduction of risks and the vulnerability of the poor, mainly through the development of national and local capacities for the management of such risks.

SDC follows the conceptual framework of risk management defined in the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction. SDC seeks to eliminate or minimise the effects of natural disasters through the four priorities of the Sendai framework:

 - Understanding disaster risk

 - Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk

 - Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience

 - Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to "build Back Better" in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction

SDC contributions to reduce risks can be implemented through multilateral cooperation or partner organisations, through direct collaboration with partner governments or by direct intervention of the SDC. SDC can rely on a number of highly competent institutions for technical support.

The types of measures can be grouped according to structural and non-structural ones. Structural measures refer to any physical (re-) construction to reduce or avoid possible impacts of hazards, which include engineering measures and construction of hazard-resistant and protective structures and infrastructure. Non-structural measures refer to policies, awareness, capacity development, public commitment and public-private partnerships (including insurance) that can reduce risk and related impacts.

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