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Today, there are more people at risk from natural hazards than ever before, with those in developing countries particularly at risk. Whilst achieving the correct response to such disasters is critical, so too is forecasting events and planning to minimise their impact. The field of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) plays a critical role in this process, and this report seeks to draw on the excellent work already being done on DRR around the world. The project has been guided by a group of experts from a range of disciplines, and was informed by the best current research across the physical sciences, health, social sciences and economics. Its findings will help UK and international policy-makers navigate a challenging and uncertain future. Download the report or the executive summary below.  You can find all supporting evidence and documentation here.

"A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck suburban Los Angeles on Friday, rattling a wide swathe of southern California. Geologists say the tremor was shallow, at a depth of only 1.2 miles. There were no reports of injury or substantial structural damage from the quake, which was centred outside the city of La Habra, about 20 miles east of downtown LA"

An eruption occurred in the Red Sea in December 2011. According to news reports, fishermen witnessed lava fountains reaching up to 30 meters (90 feet) tall on December 19. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites observed plumes on December 20 and December 22. Meanwhile, the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA's Aura satellite detected elevated levels of sulfur dioxide, further indicating an eruption

"Images from what remains of the town of Shintona in Miyagi prefecture, one of the areas worst affected by the Tsunami. Please read the accompanying article by reporter Jonathan Watts - guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/13/japan-earthquake-tsunami-miyagi-destruction. For more see guardian.co.uk/world/japan-earthquake-and-tsunami for more info"

"Thick, black ash and rock clouds explode five miles into the air as the moment Mount Shindake erupts without warning on Friday is captured on film. The 140 residents of the southern Japanese island of Kuchinoerabu are being evacuated. There are no reports of injuries or damage, although several people are yet to be accounted for"

"A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake shook Chile's northern Pacific shore on Sunday, and authorities said more than 100,000 people were evacuated from some coastal areas as a precaution. Only minor damage was reported."

"At least 75 killed and more than 400 injured after quake measuring up to 6.6 magnitude"