Dear DRMKC subscriber, 

We hope this message finds you well and that you are able to deal with the consequences of the Coronavirus that unfortunately continues to affect our lives. In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, and partially because of it, we have been very busy in the Commission’s Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre (DRMKC). We would like to share with you some news about ongoing activities.

More than ever before, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that disasters are systemic, and collaboration across policies is essential. We practicse what we preach inside the Commission, where the Knowledge Centre regularly gathers representatives from 12 Directorates General (CLIMA, DEFIS, ECFIN, ECHO, ENV, HOME, INTPA, JRC, REGIO, RTD, SANTE, SG) . This Newsletter provides you with a selection of activities from the different departments. 

The biggest development is related to the Science Pillar under the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network (https://ec.europa.eu/echo/what/civil-protection/knowledge-network_en), for which we have proposed that our Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre becomes the founding element. This proposal has already been endorsed by the DRMKC Steering Group and presented on 16 March 2021 to the Member States, who have welcomed the idea. Therefore, we look forward to growing together in the framework of this new initiative!

Finally, let me invite you all to the virtual launch of the book “Science for Disaster Risk Management 2020: acting today, protecting tomorrow”, on 23 March 2021, from 3 to 5 PM CET
Webstream here: https://drmkc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/Overview/Science-for-Disaster-Risk-Management-2020-Launch-Event

I hope you enjoy this Newsletter!

Alessandra Zampieri 
Head of Disaster Risk Management Unit, JRC