UNU joins new disaster preparedness network

UNU has joined the Academic Network for Disaster Resilience to Optimise Educational Development (ANDROID), a new academic network funded by the European Union to improve disaster preparedness in cities worldwide. ANDROID promotes cooperation and innovation among European Higher Education to increase society’s resilience to disasters of human and natural origin.

Supported by an EU grant worth €800,000, ANDROID will run for three years and is led by University of Salford’s Centre for Disaster Resilience, based in the UK.

So far, a consortium of partners from 64 European higher education institutions has embarked on the project, joined by three institutions from Australia, Canada and Sri-Lanka.

“There is now recognition of the need for collaboration on a large scale that involves a plurality of actors. ANDROID is based on an inter-disciplinary consortium of partners that comprises scientists from applied human, social and natural disciplines. Addressing disaster risk is an endless or continuous process that cannot stop,” Professor Amaratunga from the Centre for Disaster Resilience said.

Over three years, the consortium partners will describe, analyse and compare the capacity of European cities and higher education institutions to address disaster risk. ANDROID will provide the link between the research and the public, helping to reinforce the connection between education and society.

The project was inspired by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) 'Making Cities Resilient' campaign. The campaign advocates widespread commitment by local governments to build resilience to disasters, increase national government support to cities to strengthen local capacities and to develop global goals that are applicable for all cities.

Press release