SGG 6: Community Resilience and Disaster Preparedness
A core pillar of the Agenda for Social Equity 2074, establishing a universal reference standard for community‑level resilience, preparedness, and adaptive capacity in the face of social, environmental, and systemic shocks.
Goal Statement and Definition
Goal Statement
Ensure that communities possess the capacity, resources, and institutional support necessary to anticipate, withstand, respond to, and recover from shocks and crises, while safeguarding human dignity, social cohesion, and continuity of essential functions.
Definition
For the purposes of Agenda 2074, community resilience and disaster preparedness refers to the collective ability of local societies to manage risks posed by natural hazards, climate impacts, public health emergencies, socio‑economic disruptions, and institutional failures. Resilience includes preventive planning, inclusive preparedness, rapid response mechanisms, and recovery processes that strengthen, rather than erode, social equity and trust.
Strategic Rationale
Communities are the first line of impact when crises occur, and often the last line of recovery. Where preparedness is weak and response systems are fragmented, shocks amplify inequality, disproportionately affecting low‑income households, women, children, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups. Unmanaged crises erode social trust, disrupt essential services, and generate long‑term developmental setbacks.
Agenda for Social Equity 2074 therefore treats community resilience as a structural equity condition, not a technical contingency exercise. Resilience depends on inclusive planning, transparent governance, and the integration of social considerations into risk management. Disaster preparedness must protect lives and livelihoods while preserving dignity, participation, and social cohesion. Strengthened community resilience enables societies to navigate climate change, pandemics, economic shocks, and systemic failures without sacrificing equity or legitimacy.
Targets
In order to realise this goal, institutions across the public, private, cooperative, and civil‑society spheres should, as a minimum:
- Establish inclusive community‑level risk assessments and preparedness plans covering natural, social, health, and systemic hazards.
- Ensure continuity of essential services and social support during crises through tested contingency protocols.
- Build local response capacity through education, training, and accessible communication systems.
- Protect vulnerable populations through targeted preparedness and recovery measures that prevent disproportionate harm.
- Ensure transparent decision‑making, public information, and grievance mechanisms related to disaster response and recovery.
Targets are adaptable to context and scale, provided that preparedness and response are inclusive, equity‑driven, and institutionally accountable.
Indicative Indicators
Progress under SGG 6 may be illustrated through proportionate, non‑financial indicators, including but not limited to:
- Existence and public availability of community‑level risk and preparedness plans.
- Coverage and participation in preparedness training and awareness initiatives.
- Continuity performance of essential services during crisis events.
- Accessibility of early‑warning and emergency communication systems.
- Post‑crisis recovery processes that incorporate community feedback and redress.
Indicators emphasize preparedness, continuity, inclusion, and trust rather than incident frequency alone.
Alignment with Global and Regional Frameworks
Social Global Goal 6 reinforces the resilience and risk‑reduction dimensions of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well‑Being), by framing community preparedness and response as equity‑critical governance functions.
The goal aligns closely with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, notably Aspiration 1 (A Prosperous Africa Based on Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development) and Aspiration 7 (Africa as a Strong, United, Resilient and Influential Global Player), by strengthening local resilience, institutional capacity, and community‑driven preparedness.
In European contexts, SGG 6 complements the European Green Deal by addressing the social resilience dimensions of climate adaptation and systemic transition. It emphasizes community‑level preparedness, inclusive recovery, and continuity of essential services as preconditions for a just and sustainable transformation.
Position within Agenda 2074
