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Disaster Risk Assessment Methodology

Disaster and Climate Change Risk Assessment Methodology

A phased approach to foster resilience in IDB infrastructure projects

A city surrounded by trees and a river - Inter-American Development Bank - IDB
Phase 1: Screening and Classification Phase 2: Qualitative Assessment Phase 3: Quantitative Assessment Risk Management Plan

 The methodology is organized in three phases progressed through the five steps described below: 

Screening

Screening for natural hazard identification

 

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Criticality

Criticality and vulnerability assessment

 

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Narrative

Perform a simplified qualitative analysis

 

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Qualitative

Conduct a detailed qualitative analysis if needed

 

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Quantitative

Conduct a quantitative analysis if needed

 

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Screening for natural hazard identification

 

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Criticality and vulnerability assessment

 

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Perform a simplified qualitative analysis

 

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Conduct a detailed qualitative analysis if needed

 

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Links:

Conduct a quantitative analysis if needed

 

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Links:

A city with buildings and a body of water - Inter-American Development Bank - IDB Relevance

Taking disaster and climate change risks into consideration in the full lifecycle of projects is crucial to increase their resilience. By promoting resilience in projects, IDB is furthering its commitment to improving lives in the LAC region.

Disaster-and-Climate-Change-Risk-4-IDB-Group-of-People-Looking-a-Map Audience

The Methodology is intended as a practical resource that team leaders across sectors, executing agencies, technical experts, and external consulting and design firms can use to integrate disaster and climate change risk considerations at the project preparation and implementation phases as needed.

Biodiversity-and-Natural-Capital-7-IDB-Resiliencia-Tattoo Objective

The IDB is committed to assessing disaster and climate change risks and identifying opportunities for resilience and adaptation measures in the projects it finances. The Disaster and Climate Change Risk Assessment Methodology (DCCRAM) takes a phased approach that allocates resources commensurate with the project risk classification.

The IDB Environmental and Social Policy Framework establishes the requirement of disaster and climate change risk identification, evaluation, and management in its Performance Standard 4: Community Health, Safety, and Security. To that purpose, the IDB brings its DCCRAM to guide and support project teams and decision-makers. 

Explore the key documents below:

E&S Performance Standard 4

E&S Performance Standard 4 Guidelines

The Methodology

Methodology Executive Summary

Methodology Brochure

 

Explore real-world examples of how the methodology 

has been applied to solve challenges and achieve success. 

 

Learn more about our study cases

Graph of natural disasters Short self guided course: ​ESPS4 Disaster and Climate Change Risk

This brief training program will bring you closer to ESPS 4, with a focus on managing the risks caused by natural hazards and climate change.

Disaster-and-Climate-Change-Risk-4-IDB-Group-of-Engineers-Looking-a-Map EdX MOOC: Disaster and Climate Change Risk in Infrastructure Projects

Strengthen your technical and decision-making skills to incorporate disaster and climate change risk analysis techniques into the design of resilient infrastructure projects.

Maricarmen Esquivel, Inter-American Development Bank
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Construyendo resiliencia- Lecciones aprendidas de Nueva Orleans y Centroamerica
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a high angle view of a road Environment - Inter-American Development Bank - IDB Why are technical studies key in the feasibility stage of infrastructure projects?
A person walking on a bicycle in water - Inter-American Development Bank - IDB What is the IDB doing to reduce disaster and climate risks in its operations?
A group of people walking down a steep street - Inter-American Development Bank - IDB Assessing disaster and climate risk is a crucial step to project resilience
An aerial view of a city. Digital transformation - Inter-American Development Bank - IDB 3 reasons why cities should consult the IDB´s “Guide for disaster risk identification, analysis and adaptation”
A broken bridge over a river - Inter-American Development Bank - IDB Five steps to include disaster risk management in infrastructure projects
A ruined building with a few piles of debris - Inter-American Development Bank - IDB If zero risk does not exist, how to select safe lands?
A map the Americas - Risk Management - Inter-American Development Bank - IDB What can a map tell us about the socio-environmental aspects of a development project?
A large crack in the road - Inter-American Development Bank - IDB International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: How to build more resilient infrastructures? (Available only in Spanish)
Plan-de-adaptacion-a-inundaciones-3-IDB-Santo-Domingo Adaptation plan for floods influenced by climate change: Colonial City of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (Available in Spanish)
Including-climate-change-1-IDB-Honduras Including climate change in the hydrological analysis for the layout and design of transport infrastructure: Methodological guide and implementation in 33 vehicular bridges in Haiti ​(Available in Spanish)
Flood-risk-in-wetlands-of-Asuncion-1-IDB-Paraguay Flood risk in Asuncion's wetlands: effects of climate change (Available in Spanish)
Climate Change Basics

Terms of Reference  for DRA and DRMP

Disaster Risk Management in Multiple Works Operations

Mitigation Options

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Definitions

Screening Hazard Layers

Hazard Software

Vulnerability Module

Economic Viability Analyses

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)

House flooded by water - Inter American Development Bank - IDB Environmental and Social Solutions
Disaster Risk Management

The IDB integrates disaster risk management into sustainable development planning across LAC, emphasizing prevention—through risk assessment, governance, and resilience investment—and effective recovery. Using tools like RiskMonitor, the IDB supports countries in strengthening preparedness, fiscal planning, and institutional capacity to reduce vulnerability to natural hazards.

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Landscape of wind power towers and sunset - Inter American Development Bank - IDB Environmental and Social Solutions
Paris Agreement Alignment

The IDB is aligning its financial flows with the Paris Agreement to support climate-resilient and low-carbon development in LAC. Through its Paris Alignment Implementation Approach (PAIA), the IDB ensures that new operations are consistent with climate change mitigation and adaptation goals.

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