Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
At a time when the discourse on technology and disaster risk reduction seems dominated by costly and sophisticated solutions, the new Special Report on the Use of Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction (Tech4DRR), published by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), brings “low-tech” solutions to the forefront—highlighting them as effective, accessible, and, above all, life-saving tools.
The report, developed in collaboration with the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE USA), and the Regional Scientific and Technical Advisory Group for the Americas and the Caribbean (RSTAG), also draws attention to a critical gap: developing countries are rarely involved in the design of the technologies they later end up purchasing and using.
Rather than promoting an exclusively high-tech vision of innovation, the report advocates for useful, context-specific technologies co-developed with the people living in hazard-prone areas. From early warning systems rooted in Indigenous knowledge to community-based data collection tools, the experiences documented in this report demonstrate that simple solutions can saves lives too.
Tech4DRR emphasizes that technology is not neutral. Tools developed using data, assumptions, and models from industrialized countries are not always applicable in Global South contexts. Constraints related to connectivity, budgets, and basic infrastructure demand customized approaches—not one-size-fits-all adaptations.
The analysis also notes that countries in the Americas and the Caribbean face significant challenges in accessing robust technologies, many of which were designed in contexts that do not reflect their realities. Instead of shaping the development of technological tools, countries in the Global South often end up purchasing off-the-shelf solutions that fail to reflect their local needs or structural constraints.
“Technology alone cannot solve the complex challenges of disaster risk reduction. We need inclusive approaches that combine innovation with capacity-building, community engagement, and demand-driven development,” the report states. This call includes the urgent need to democratize access to risk information and promote co-creation models that integrate diverse knowledge systems and respond to specific contexts.
Nahuel Arenas, Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean, explains that the report is a call to rethink innovation through the lens of local relevance, equity, and purpose. “Technology has the potential to transform how countries address disaster risk—but that potential is only realized when it is accessible, context-specific, and useful to those who need it most. In Latin America and the Caribbean, we must close not only the technology gap but also the breach in participation in its development,” he said.
“This report demonstrates how global collaboration and strong local partnerships are key to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable communities around the world,” says Shanna McClain, NASA Disasters Program Manager. “When we align Earth science and technology with real-world needs, we can better reduce disaster risk and ensure our tools truly serve those most affected.”
Key topics covered in the report include:
- Use cases of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the Americas and the Caribbean, with a critical analysis of their limitations.
- The importance of designing technologies that account for local capacities, languages, and cultural diversity.
- The growing role of social media and digital communication in disaster risk reduction and emergency response.
- Successful examples of simple technologies used in community-based early warning systems.
Tech4DRR will be launched on July 23 during a public virtual event, with simultaneous interpretation in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. The program includes the presentation of all five chapters of the report and a high-level panel featuring representatives from international agencies, the private sector, and development partners. The event aims to spark an urgent conversation about how to democratize technology for disaster risk reduction, empowering communities and ensuring that no voice is left out of the innovation process.
This report comes during the final five years of implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, in a context where hazards are intensifying and impacts are becoming increasingly costly. As the report underscores, technology can and must be a tool to transform how we prevent and confront disaster risk—but only when it serves people and their realities.