Stories and Statistics

The primary objective is to advocate for governments, policymakers, donors, and
potential partners to prioritise prevention and intervention measures within their
health, disaster, and social programmes.

The secondary objectives are:

1. To raise the visibility of disaster deaths, especially indirect deaths and missing
   persons.
2. To raise awareness of the specific causes and circumstances that lead to disaster
   deaths, thereby encouraging targeted interventions.
3. To promote the slogan 'Disaster Deaths Are Avoidable'.

Collecting stories

Avoidable Deaths [hyperlink title on landing page to sub-page 1]
Hero Stories [hyperlink title on landing page to sub-page 2]
Finish The Sentence [hyperlink title on landing page to sub-page 3]
Most Significant Change Impact [hyperlink title on landing page to sub-page 4]

Collecting Statistics

Avoidable Deaths

Raising Awareness of Avoidable Deaths
Each year this booklet will be extended, gradually increasing the number of
Avoidable Deaths being raised awareness of.

Raising Awareness of 23 Avoidable Deaths Booklet

Avoidable Disaster Deaths Framework

According to the Avoidable Disaster Deaths (ADD) framework, disaster deaths can
be broadly classified into three categories (although these distinctions are not always
clear in real life):

1. Preventable avoidable deaths
2. Amenable avoidable deaths
3. Disaster risk governance–related avoidable deaths (Ray-Bennett, 2025, p. 3).
   As Ray-Bennett (2025, pp. 49–50) explains, “Amenable and preventable deaths are
   caused by a lack of timely and preventive measures, while disaster risk governance
   deaths occur due to weak disaster risk governance measures.”
   For individuals interested in developing their own case studies, please refer to the
   following matrices:
4. Matrix of Causes and Circumstances of Avoidable Disaster Death (Ray-
   Bennett, 2025)
5. Matrix of Causes and Circumstances Surrounding Drowning Death (Ray-
   Bennett et al., 2025)
   A few examples of avoidable disaster deaths are presented as excerpts from the
   research monograph: Ray-Bennett, N.S. (2025). Avoiding Disaster Deaths: Why Do
   So Many People Die? Springer Nature, Switzerland.
   Avoiding Disaster Deaths: Why Do So Many People Die? Excerpts
6. Hero Stories

Every day, ordinary people take extraordinary actions to protect others, reduce
disaster risks, and strengthen their communities. Some save lives through
innovation. Others mobilise neighbours to solve neglected problems ignored during
or post disasters. Many work quietly, by driving a snakebite victim on their motorbike
to the nearest hospital without recognition, yet their impact saves lives and
transforms entire communities.

Our First Hero The ADN Hero Award 2025 went to ADN Regional Coordinator, Ms.
Tahira Khan for her amazing work to reduce avoidable deaths from well fall in
Pakistan.

In 2026, we invited ADN Members and the public to nominate individuals whose
courage, leadership, and commitment have prevented harm, protected lives, or
created safer futures. Whether they introduced a simple idea that changed
everything, rallied a community to act, or stood up when no one else would, their
story deserves to be told. Because they are unsung heroes.

Someone who has:
• Reduced preventable injuries or deaths
• Led a community-driven safety or risk-reduction initiative
• Overcome barriers to protect others
• Created measurable, lasting change

The Hero Awards are selected by an ADN Panel of Experts, chaired by the ADN
Presidents, Professor Nibedita Ray-Bennett and Dr. Hideyuki Shiroshita. The Panel
of Experts applies eight selection criteria, using the criterion most relevant to each
case.

Whilst there can only be one award winner, we feel that nominees who meet our
‘Hero Criteria’ will be featured on our website, with their stories shared to raise
awareness and inspire others.