We can’t talk about making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities without discussing a way to reduce the disaster. Disaster risk is the potential loss of life, injury, or destroyed or damaged assets which could occur to a system, society or community in a specific period which calls for disaster risk reduction. Disaster risk reduction helps cities and settlements prepare for the unexpected. Given climate change, disaster is bound to strike. Over the years we have seen certain disasters take root in communities and cities all over the world. One major disaster that still astounds me is the tsunami that struck off at the cost of Indonesia from the Indian ocean. While many lives were lost, it has become clear to us that though we may not have the ability to stop said disasters from occurring, we have the means of minimising the risk and effects they cause. Disasters include Floods, earthquakes, fires, storms, wars, diseases,

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) protects the lives and livelihoods of communities and individuals who are most vulnerable to disasters or emergencies. Whether the crisis is caused by nature or humans (or a combination of both), DRR limits its negative impact on those who stand to lose the most. The aim of this is to help communities that are most exposed to these hazards can better anticipate, survive, and recover. Disaster Risk Reduction focuses on three key dimensions:

i) Exposure to hazards

ii) Vulnerability and capacity

iii) Characteristics of each hazard

Disasters come in all shapes and sizes. This means that there is a variation of impacts that can come out of any occurred disaster. We cannot compare the disasters caused by the aforementioned tsunami to the effects caused by a flood or minor earthquake. Depending on the level of disaster, there are tools we can use to reduce risk and these include:

• The infrastructure in communities should be designed to reduce risk (like retaining walls). It is no surprise that when disaster strikes, the first thing to be affected is the infrastructure that has been built. These include houses, stores, malls, and roads. As cities and communities develop, so should our infrastructure. More effort and energy are to be put into building stronger infrastructure that can sustain the weight of the ‘storms’ that come. 
• Natural resource management for example reforestation and afforestation. It is no secret that our forests have a direct impact on our climate. Truth is, we can strongly take part blame for the natural disasters that plague our towns. Because deforestation is a major concern for countries now, our only resolve is to plant more trees. The simplest scenario is a case where a landslide hits a particular settlement. Trees act like natural humps on the landscape in such instances. We can not ignore this fact and as the trees slow down the running mud, they will also improve the air we breathe. 
• Improved hygiene is also another way we can manage the disaster. One of the least anticipated disasters that have occurred was the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us saw it coming and while diseases are part and part of being human, we have ways and methods of stopping pandemics from catching us unawares. The hygiene of cities and settlements is of vital importance to this endeavour. This includes adequate waste management, sensitisation of communities, and the simple basics of citizens simply washing their hands. The effects of this risk could also be contained by building of better hospitals.
• The behaviour change of communities e.g. peace-building processes and addressing some of the inequalities that make some people more vulnerable. In Uganda, this is very common in refugee camps. 
• Establishment of evacuation procedures and safe shelters.
• Set up early warning systems and preparedness planning for improving response to these events when they happen.

“Extent of damage by disaster is completely controllable if we are vigilant about things…have a better tomorrow.”

-Anonymous