"STOP DISASTERS!" is an interactive online simulation game developed by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). It serves as a pedagogical tool to teach children and adults the core principles of disaster risk management through high-stakes, scenario-based gameplay.
Map
STOP DISASTERS
General Information
ISIG
A global educational simulation that challenges players to act as disaster risk managers, tasking them with protecting communities against imminent natural hazards through strategic planning and resource management. In each 10-20 minute session, players navigate one of five scenarios - tsunami, hurricane, wildfire, earthquake, or flood - where they must decide how to spend a limited budget on structural and non-structural measures. By choosing where to build houses, reinforcing critical infrastructure like schools and hospitals, and deploying early warning systems, players experience the direct consequences of their decisions when the disaster strikes. The solution bridges the gap between theoretical risk concepts and practical land-use planning, making it a staple for classrooms and professional training worldwide.
Global disaster losses continue to rise, yet public understanding of the difference between a "hazard" (a natural event) and a "disaster" (the result of human vulnerability) remains low. UNDRR created this game to promote the Sendai Framework's priority of "Understanding Disaster Risk." The game targets the next generation of decision-makers, aiming to shift public perception from reactive emergency response to proactive risk reduction and long-term resilience.
The solution provides a digital environment for capacity building and the testing of risk reduction methodologies. It functions as a digital tool and training methodology to simulate the complex trade-offs in disaster management. The game focuses on risk communication and the engagement of young stakeholders in the DRR process. It addresses misinformation by teaching scientifically-backed mitigation strategies and provides a platform for community-level dialogue on risk.
Hazard Type
Geographical Scope - Nuts
Geographical Scope
Population Size
Population Density
Needs Addressed
The solution addresses the difficulty of teaching complex, systemic disaster risks to non-specialists. It targets the "knowledge-action gap" by allowing players to fail in a safe environment, thereby understanding why certain construction and planning choices are dangerous.
While the game is for the general public, it is specifically optimized for school-aged children (9–17) and educators. It includes scenarios that require protecting schools and hospitals, implicitly teaching the protection of vulnerable groups.
The tool is designed to be used within various governance frameworks, from national education systems to local community workshops. It is co-distributed by UN agencies, NGOs, and national governments.
The tool builds the foundational knowledge required for organized responses. It prepares the "mindset" of the player for more advanced physical preparedness.
As a digital solution, it requires standard internet access or can be cached for offline play. It requires PCs, tablets, or smartphones; recently updated to support mobile browser play.
To foster critical thinking and "shared language" between students, teachers, and parents regarding local risks.
Interactive gameplay, classroom workshops, and "debriefing" sessions using UNDRR lesson plans.
Players see the immediate impact of their "policy" choices in the game, empowering them to advocate for similar DRR measures in their real-life communities.
Academic studies (e.g., Rio de Janeiro, 2014) showed a significant increase in students' ability to read risk maps and understand mitigation logic after playing.
Vulnerable Groups
Governance
Emergency Preparedness
Infrastructure Readiness
Engagement Level
Empowerment Level
Implementation
The "serious game" approach gamifies the Sendai Framework. It uses a budget-restricted simulation which forces players to prioritize life-safety (e.g., early warnings) over aesthetics or rapid expansion.
Currently available in Chinese, Croatian, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish.
While this solution is implemented by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), it is transferable to the following types of implementers: National Ministries of Education, Civil Protection Agencies, International NGOs focused on DRR, and educational technology developers.
UNDRR is the United Nations focal point for disaster risk reduction and the custodian of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. The organization possesses decades of global experience in risk assessment, international policy coordination, and the development of educational standards for disaster resilience.
Hence, the implementing body for a solution of this nature must possess a strong mandate for public safety or education, access to peer-reviewed scientific data on natural hazards, and the institutional capacity to manage digital platforms and cross-border translations.
- Implementing Organisation: UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
- Transferable types: Educational institutions, Civil Protection departments, Media organizations.
- Scientific Scoping: Hazard experts defined the variables for each disaster scenario.
- Software Development: Originally built in Flash, later migrated to modern engines (Unity/Blender/HTML5) for cross-platform support.
- Educational Integration: Development of a "Teacher’s Pack" with lesson plans.
- Global Localization: Ongoing translation into 11+ languages (currently including Romanian, Croatian, Japanese, and Portuguese).
Sustainability is high as the tool is free to the end-user. The solution requires a server for hosting, professional game developers for updates, and a network of volunteer translators.
Continuous rollout and periodic scenario updates since 2007.
Experience of the Implementing Organisation in DRM
Target Audience
Resources Required
Timeframe & Phases
Participation Results
Interactive simulations are significantly more effective at knowledge retention than traditional lectures. Peer-to-peer learning (playing in groups) further enhances the understanding of negotiation and budget trade-offs.
- Challenge: Technology obsolescence (e.g., the end of Flash support).
- Strategy: UNDRR invested in a complete technical rebuild to ensure the game remains accessible on modern browsers and mobile devices.
- Risk: Gamification may "trivialize" real death and destruction.
- Mitigation: The game includes a "casualty counter" and emotional feedback loops to maintain the gravity of the decisions made.
Risk & Mitigation Plan
Scalability and Sustainability
The solution follows a Public-Information Campaign Model institutionalized within the UN. It is funded by UNDRR’s core budget and voluntary contributions from member states, ensuring it remains free and ad-free.
This is a highly scalable global solution. Any organization can host a "Stop Disasters tournament" or integrate the game into local curricula. It is adaptable to any language through the UNDRR volunteer translation program.
The game uses probabilistic risk modeling to ensure that no two playthroughs are exactly the same, reflecting the uncertainty of real-world hazards.
Budget figures for the initial development and recent mobile migration are internal to UNDRR. Direct costs are likely high: professional game development, 3D modeling, and UI/UX design.
Operational costs are likely moderate and involve: Global server hosting, multi-language maintenance, and help-desk support.
A critical lesson for the long-term viability of digital DRR tools is the necessity of technological evolution to prevent obsolescence; the transition of "Stop Disasters!" from Flash to modern HTML5/Unity engines was essential to maintain its reach as browser standards changed. Furthermore, the tool’s sustainability is driven by its integration into formal education systems; by providing "Teacher’s Packs" and structured lesson plans, the game moves from being a one-off entertainment product to a recurring component of school curricula. Finally, multi-language localization has proven vital for sustainability, as it allows local schools and NGOs to adopt the tool without ongoing translation costs or external technical support, fostering deep-rooted community ownership.