On October 13, the world observes the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, a day dedicated to promoting action to reduce the risks and impacts of increasingly frequent and intense—but often predictable—disasters. This year’s theme, “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,” is a reminder to shift our focus toward proactive investment in disaster risk reduction.  

Myriad USA’s Disaster Response Funds enable donors to give quickly and confidently to provide relief during disasters. We also launched DisasterLink, an expanding network of 65 trusted partners in 35 countries at high risk or vulnerability for natural disasters or protracted crises, to increase funding to local responders and expedite giving to partners. Designed to support all phases of disasters, DisasterLink strengthens risk reduction and resilience efforts. 

Three of our DisasterLink partners are already making a noteworthy impact in their regions and are committed to scaling their impact through new tools and innovations. 

• The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) is the country’s leading coordinator for disaster resilience. PDRF operates an Emergency Operations Center, one of the most advanced hazard monitoring hubs in the world, providing 24/7 coordination during major disasters. In 2024 alone, PDRF mobilized over $800,000 for relief efforts in response to a volcanic eruption and a typhoon, reaching 12 regions—including even the most remote areas. 
• The Bahamas Resilience Center (GBRC) strengthens mental health and community resilience across the Caribbean. Since its founding in response to Hurricane Dorian, GBRC has reached more than 15,000 people through counseling and resilience programs. 
• Desmos mobilizes philanthropy by connecting donors with over 1,000 nonprofits across Greece, including through an Emergency Fund for immediate relief. With over 556,000 beneficiaries reached and €10.7 in social value generated for every €1 donated, Desmos provides donors with accurate, timely information to ensure their contributions have the greatest impact. 

Innovative Tools Require Funding 

From typhoons and earthquakes to wildfires and floods, our partners across disaster-prone regions are building innovative tools and approaches to strengthen community resilience and reduce risks. However, these initiatives continue to be underfunded as financial support is disproportionately and overwhelmingly focused on immediate relief during crisis events. Below are highlights from our DisasterLink network from partners looking to advance and improve their impact through new investments. 

Data-Driven Resilience 

In the Philippines, PDRF uses its own geographic information system, HANDA (Hazard and Disaster Analysis), which supports disaster preparedness and response through three core functions: hazard monitoring, incident management, and the response dashboard.  

During Typhoon Rai in 2021—one of the rarest and costliest typhoons in Philippine history— the system proved to be a critical tool. It enabled PDRF and its partners to map affected areas, overlay community needs, and deploy aid strategically, minimizing duplication of efforts and ensuring equitable distribution of relief. Most recently, following the devastating 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu on September 30, 2025, PDRF continues to rely on HANDA to closely monitor the situation and coordinate with partners to deliver assistance to the hardest-hit communities. 

To maintain and strengthen this critical system, PDRF urgently requires an annual investment of over $170,000 to expand HANDA’s capabilities, including AI-driven decision support, ongoing training, and system maintenance.  

Crisis Care in Your Pocket 

Climate disasters in the Caribbean—driven by increasingly intense hurricanes, floods, and droughts—are devastating infrastructure, livelihoods, and ecosystems, while compounding debt burdens and prompting urgent calls for resilience funding and international climate action. Designed as a community resilience tool in the Caribbean, GBRC is developing a mobile app to provide quick access to counseling, shelter locations, and real-time updates, addressing both psychological and logistical needs during disaster, including offering critical information even without internet connectivity. GBRC hopes to secure the $25,000 needed to make this a reality, ensuring it remains user-friendly, accessible, and a vital tool across the Caribbean. 

Powering In-Kind Giving for Crisis Response 

With a mission to bridge the gap between the private sector and the needs of social welfare and humanitarian organizations Desmos works closely with over 1000 charitable and public organizations across Greece – schools, hospitals, homeless shelters, orphanages, among many others – to document their needs and distribute resources where they are most needed.  As a platform to connect resources and needs, Desmos launched Desmos Direct, a pioneering digital platform that matched in-kind donations with organizations in crisis across Greece to increase direct impact in times of crisis with speed, efficiency, and transparency. The tool now requires investment to meet updated technological requirements and stay current. Desmos is seeking $50,000 to bring the platform to a new capability. 

A Call to Action 

We know that funding long-term resilience projects, such as early warning systems and climate adaptation programs, is the most effective way to reduce risks of future disasters; yet investment rarely follows. The experiences of our DisasterLink partners highlight the many innovative solutions that can impact thousands of lives if funders go beyond short-term aid and also prioritize innovative tools that can reduce future risks. 

On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and beyond, consider how your giving can support vital disaster preparedness efforts to build safer, stronger communities for generations to come. Contact our team at info@myriadusa.org to explore thoughtful disaster giving options, or support the organizations highlighted in this blog at: 

• Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation – https://www.every.org/thepdrf
• Bahamas Resilience Center – https://www.every.org/bahamas-resilience-center
• Desmos – https://www.every.org/desmos-non-profit-founation-greece 
• Meet Myriad USA’s entire Disasterlink network at https://myriadusa.org/services/disaster-response-funds/

Article by Myriad USA