Management of Risks from Natural Hazards Strategy 2018

The Management of Risks from Natural Hazards Strategy 2018 is a national sectoral strategy of Switzerland. Its main objectives include the following: (1) Switzerland is resistant - the effects of natural events are bearable by both society and the economy; (2) Switzerland is able to recover - society and the economy are capable of rapidly regaining functional capacity following natural events; and (3) Switzerland is able to adapt - society and the economy adapt in a timely manner to changes in conditions.
In order to increase the resilience of livelihoods to disasters, the Strategy provides for (1) avoiding hazards: Land usage is preferably planned in low-hazard areas. Buildings and infrastructure are put in place and utilised risk-consciously. Hazard awareness and risk-conscious behaviour is practiced both before and during events; (2) providing adequate protection: the frequency, intensity, and impacts of natural processes are reduced by measures to protect people and natural resources essential to livelihood; vulnerability of buildings and facilities is reduced through appropriate design and construction, or by putting protective measures in place; (3) providing redundancies where necessary: parallel systems ensure that key goods and services are not entirely disrupted in the result of a natural event; (4) preparing ourselves: proper preparation is a prerequisite for coping successfully with natural events: the basics are worked out and known; instruments, organisations, and cooperation structures are established, well-practiced, and stand ready for deployment; (5) providing adequate resources: personnel resources and technical aids required for coping with an event are defined and known, with regulated competencies in place for their deployment. Provision/procurement and distribution of financial resources for restoring functionality are regularised and assured; (6) offering mutual assistance: when natural events occur that exceed the resources of the area affected, assistance is rendered in a spirit of solidarity and in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity; (7) identifying and reacting to changes: Developments in natural hazards and risks are monitored and regularly assessed; any need for action identified as a result is addressed in a timely and appropriate manner by all responsible stakeholders; (8) creating and deepening knowledge: research into the course and consequences of natural hazard processes, the effects of measures, and in particular the social and economic impacts of natural events closes identified gaps and anticipates possible future developments; and (9) imparting knowledge: findings from research and analysis of events are incorporated into the education and training of experts. Exchange of knowledge between experts, public authorities, private stakeholders, and the general population is to be encouraged.