Every year, millions of people are affected by disasters caused by extreme natural events such as earthquakes, storms or floods. However, whether such events become disasters depends not only on their severity, but also on social factors such as poverty, inadequate infrastructure and limited access to health services. Targeted measures such as expanding education and health, combating poverty, using early warning systems and investing in climate and environmental protection can significantly reduce the risk. This strengthens the resilience of societies and helps them to cope better with the effects of extreme natural events.

The new WorldRiskReport 2025 focusses on flooding as one of the greatest natural hazards of our time. It shows how climate change, urbanisation and social inequality are exacerbating the risk worldwide. Over 1.6 billion people were affected by floods between 2000 and 2019 alone, causing damage amounting to more than 650 billion US dollars.

The WorldRiskReport 2025 provides far more than just facts and figures. It also shows how innovative early warning systems, nature-based solutions and local knowledge can save lives. Practical examples from Germany and the Global South show: Successful disaster risk reduction is always local, participatory and combines high-tech with tradition.

The report explores key questions:

• Which countries are most at risk of disasters in 2025?
• Why are floods so destructive - and how can we protect ourselves better?
• How do mangroves, microforests or "sponge cities" help to cope with floods?
• What can we learn from the flood disaster in the Ahr valley or from local early warning systems in Jakarta?
• How do social inequality and weak health systems influence global resilience?