This publication is derived from a collaboration between the Swiss NGO DRR Platform, the Centre for Development and Environment of the University of Bern and WOCAT. Over recent decades, the NGOs of the Swiss NGO DRR Platform have been involved in DRR activities around the globe, many of which are directly or indirectly related to the use and management of land resources, including soils, water, plants and animals. This Compendium systematically describes and analyses over 30 well-established and successful land-related/ land-based practices for the prevention, reduction, and management of disaster risks, highlighting the potential of SLM for DRR.

The publication shows how relatively simple, cost-effective DRR measures related to land management can help to substantially reduce the impacts of repeated small-scale disaster events. Sustainably managed land conserves ecosystem functions and makes the land more resilient to natural hazards as well as gradual changes. At the same time, SLM produces socio-economic co-benefits which further help to reduce people’s vulnerability and enhance their resilience.

This publication serves as a tool for stakeholders – whether planners, advisors, extension agents, or development con­sultants – from different sectors (be it DRR, water and sanitation, food security, or agriculture) to include land-related/ land-based DRR practices in the planning, design and implementation of development/ humanitarian projects. With this, it shall contribute to the up- and outscaling of proven practices and therewith alleviate the impacts from natural hazards such as droughts, floods, and storms on communities around the globe.

Part 1 introduces disasters and development (Chapter 1.1) and then existing key concepts in DRR (Chapter 1.2) which are relevant to the understanding of synergies with SLM (Chapter 1.3). It also looks at recent international policy developments relevant for both DRR and SLM (Chapter 1.4).

Furthermore, it proposes a simple classification system, which arranges good DRR practices into different groups and an analysis and assessment of the practices (Chapter 2) of which a selection is presented later in Part 2.

Part 1 ends with conclusions and policy points (Chapter 3). Part 2 showcases 30 validated DRR practices from 11 countries around the globe, applied by the NGOs of the Swiss NGO DRR Platform.