Peter Billing - Böcker

Disasters – whether natural, technological, or public health-related – are increasing in frequency, scale, and complexity, with profound human, economic, and geopolitical consequences. While advances in early warning systems, infrastructure, and coordinated response have reduced some vulnerabilities, new risks driven by climate change, demographic shifts, and global interdependence threaten to reverse these gains. Against this backdrop, the need for effective legal and institutional frameworks for disaster management has never been more urgent.This open access book offers a comprehensive yet accessible overview of contemporary international disaster management from both an institutional and legal perspective. Part I examines the principal actors and coordination mechanisms shaping the international response, with particular attention to the evolution of the United Nations system and the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism as the most advanced regional model. Part II turns to the legal frameworks governing disaster management, distinguishing between post-disaster response and recovery measures on the one hand, and pre-disaster prevention and preparedness - most notably disaster risk reduction - on the otherDrawing on the latest empirical data and recent normative developments, including the Sendai Framework and the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters, the volume situates disaster law and policy within broader debates on resilience, sustainable development, and climate adaptation. Intended as a reference text, this book is particularly valuable for scholars, students, practitioners, and policymakers seeking a structured understanding of the evolving institutional landscape and legal architecture of disaster management at both global and regional levels.

Traditional single-hazard approaches often fail to capture the full picture of disaster risk. By overlooking multiple hazards and their interdependencies, they underestimate real risk levels and limit the effectiveness of prevention and response measures. Multi-hazard risk assessments therefore aim to identify all relevant hazards, analyse their interactions, and support more robust disaster management. This open access book adopts both a scientific and an operational perspective to examine multi-hazards and systemic risks.Despite growing recognition of their importance, implementing accurate multi-hazard approaches remains difficult. Diverse hazard characteristics, the absence of standardised terminology, limited data availability and the inherent complexity of risk interactions all pose significant challenges. System-thinking and open-science frameworks offer promising solutions to these limitations. Advances in data-driven, knowledge-driven and physically based modelling techniques now enable improved prediction and simulation of interconnected hazards.The concept of risk has also shifted from a narrow, hazard-focused perspective to a broader understanding that considers the dynamic interactions between hazards, exposure, vulnerability, and response. As risks become more complex and systemic, a systemic framework is required to transform risk management into an integrated, adaptive and inclusive governance model. Effective risk communication strategies are needed to address complex risks and multiple crises. Such strategies should foster relationships with communities, encourage culturally sensitive dialogue and involve various stakeholders in decision-making processes. This will enhance resilience and ensure appropriate responses during crises.Thus, this book evaluates multi-hazard and systemic risk approaches that reflect the complexity of today’s interconnected world. It explores ways forward for the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) to better anticipate shifting risk landscapes. And in addition, it enhances public trust and engagement by presenting improved communication strategies and behavioral insights, including the use of serious games as powerful tools.