SDG Target

• By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.

Context

Working with public authorities and other interests to plan for and mitigate flooding, supporting infrastructure projects that improve the capacity to store and move water, promoting flood insurance and other schemes to protect communities from damage, protecting natural areas that serve as buffers/filters and help with flood attenuation, and improving the capacity of water resource managers and government entities to issue warnings and respond quickly.

Climate change and climate variation may impact the frequency and severity of storms and floods, which are already difficult to predict. Storms and subsequent flooding can cause damage to communities and habitats resulting in sewer overflow and erosion that decrease water quality. Improved management of storm water and floods has implications for public health, food security, the economy, and the environment.