Disaster risk in Brazil: trends, challenges and policy insights
摘要
Understanding disaster risk policies and their consequences is a priority on global agendas, considering that climate change is exacerbating disaster risks all over the world. In this context, this study analyzes the evolution of disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies in Brazil and examines how these developments are reflected in disaster outcomes. The research combines a review of national DRR legislation with the analysis of disaster data occurred from 1991 to 2024, using indicators aligned with the Sendai Framework targets. The results show that Brazil has made significant progress in establishing institutional and legal mechanisms for DRR, indicating a gradual shift from reactive to more preventive approaches. However, disaster-related indicators have continued to increase over time, with strong regional disparities. Hydrometeorological hazards account for the majority of events, and a small proportion of high-magnitude disasters is responsible for a large share of fatalities. The findings also highlight important limitations in early warning systems, local institutional capacity, and data consistency. These results contribute to the understanding of the relationship between policy development and disaster outcomes, offering insights for improving national strategies and advancing progress toward international DRR commitments.