Kuala Lumpur, 13 October 2026 – The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, observed annually on 13 October, is a reminder that reducing disaster risk is work that happens before a disaster, not after. This year’s theme, “Resilience Starts at Home,” emphasises the role of households and communities in understanding local risks, taking preventive measures and preparing for emergencies.
Disasters can disrupt lives, livelihoods and essential services, often placing vulnerable communities at greater risk. While emergency assistance is crucial, effective disaster risk reduction also requires sustained efforts in prevention, preparedness and community capacity-building before disasters strike.
At MERCY Malaysia, we recognise that effective humanitarian action begins long before a disaster occurs. Through our humanitarian work, we integrate disaster risk reduction with emergency response and community development to address immediate needs while strengthening long-term resilience.
We are committed to building a culture of preparedness and risk awareness not only among the communities we serve, but also within our own organisation, including our staff and volunteers. We believe that preparedness must be reflected in how we work, how we engage with communities and how we collectively anticipate and respond to risks. By making disaster risk reduction a shared responsibility, we seek to ensure that preparedness becomes part of everyday practice, rather than an action taken only when a crisis occurs.
Through initiatives such as Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM), community-based early warning systems and school preparedness programmes, we support communities in identifying local hazards, understanding their vulnerabilities and taking practical steps to strengthen their preparedness. These efforts promote community participation, build on local knowledge and encourage collaboration to create safer and more resilient environments.
“Preparedness must begin before a crisis occurs. Communities need the knowledge and support to understand the risks they face and take action to protect themselves and their families. At MERCY Malaysia, we believe building resilience is a collective responsibility. It means strengthening preparedness among our own staff and volunteers, and working alongside communities, government agencies and humanitarian partners to reduce risks and protect lives. Our responsibility goes beyond responding when disasters strike. It includes helping communities prepare for the challenges ahead,” said Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President of MERCY Malaysia.
On this International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, we call on communities, government agencies, the private sector and humanitarian partners to strengthen collective efforts in disaster preparedness and risk reduction. Through continued collaboration and sustained investment in prevention, preparedness and community capacity-building, we can help communities reduce their vulnerabilities and be better prepared for future disasters.
Resilience starts with preparedness, and MERCY Malaysia will keep working alongside the communities it serves to build it.
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For further information, please contact:
Muhamad Shukur bin Suhaimi, Senior Communications Officer, MERCY Malaysia
E: [email protected] | M: +60 17 3206195
