Launch of an Online Toolbox for Flood Risk Mitigation
Together with the UNCHR, the ETH Zurich research group SPUR created a comprehensive toolbox and learning platform for flood risk mitigation in refugee settlements.
The intensity and frequency of natural hazards are on the rise. Refugee settlements face a particular risk from such disruptive events due to their precarious built environment and socio-economic situation. In 2025, the ETH Zurich research group Spatial Development and Urban Policy (SPUR) and the externe Seite UN refugee Agency (UNHCR) launched a externe Seite comprehensive toolbox and learning platform for flood risk mitigation in refugee settlements. Developed to empower humanitarian practitioners, this toolbox includes a GIS tool to create flood risk maps and mitigation strategies, a compendium of flood risk mitigation measures and a participatory risk mapping methodology. The project has been jointly developed by SPUR, the UNHCR, and the externe Seite Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) through the externe Seite Geneva Technical Hub (GTH).
Key Takeaways
- Flooding in humanitarian settlements has increased by 50% in the last decade, putting thousands of lives at risk.
- Together with UNHCR, ETH Zurich researchers developed a comprehensive toolbox for flood risk mitigation in refugee settlements to empower humanitarian practitioners.
- This toolbox provides: (1) Risk Mitigation Strategy GIS Plugin Tool, (2) Compendium of Risk Mitigation Measures, (3) Participatory Risk Mapping Methodology.