Strong disaster resilience is built through networks, collaboration, and shared learning. The Disaster Resilience Symposium brings together attorneys, emergency managers, policymakers, and community leaders working to strengthen disaster preparedness and recovery. Click here to watch some of the informative sessions from our 2025 Disaster Resilience Symposium. Planning for our 2027 Symposium is already underway!
Mark your calendars for March 15-17, 2027 at the Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, FL. Sign up below to receive updates about registration and programming.
The Disaster Resilience Program mobilizes lawyers and law students to provide free civil legal aid in disaster-prone areas. It has provided over 6,600 individuals with legal services and secured over $7.5 million in economic benefits. Learn more about the Disaster Resilience Program and meet the Fellows here.
Interested in becoming a host organization? Click here.
“Given the current measures to restructure our national disaster response framework, including emergency management workforce reductions and the elimination of risk mitigation programs, it is our responsibility as a legal community to closely monitor these decisions and assess their impact on our communities so that we can build legal systems that can respond swiftly, equitably, and compassionately when communities face a crisis.”
“In a world of increasing repeat impact or multiple impacts, disaster resilience is incredibly important and something we as the Red Cross address at every phase of the disaster cycle. Partnering with organizations such as Equal Justice Works helps build capacity in local communities, ensuring community-driven legal networks are able to evolve alongside disaster risk.”
“With the growing frequency and intensity of disasters, investing in resilience is more critical than ever. CDP’s State of Disaster Philanthropy report found that only 6% of philanthropic disaster giving in 2023 went toward disaster resilience, risk reduction and mitigation. CDP is proud to support Disaster Resilience Awareness Month to highlight the need to increase philanthropic investment in building resilience, especially among marginalized communities.”
“Disaster resilience is critical for our shared future. At the Danaher Foundation, we invest in resilience to strengthen the capacity of communities to withstand and recover from disasters. We support humanitarian response efforts that reduce human and economic harm and support recovery.”
“Disaster resilience is not an attitude, but a process of intentional collaboration between community service providers before, during and after disaster strikes. Many disaster-related issues have complicated legal components that people cannot navigate on their own, like insurance denials and replacing destroyed documents. Legal services are a crucial part of the equation in helping people recover.”
“Through prioritizing resilience, National VOAD and our members help ensure that collaboration before disasters strikes leads to more coordinated response efforts and faster, more equitable recovery outcomes nationwide.”
“Legal assistance is critical in the wake of disasters. PLI’s pro bono-focused programs prepare attorneys to help people and communities when they need it most.”
“How we collectively prepare for disasters, including the legal support, expertise, and collaborative efforts we put in place, can help ensure that all survivors have the opportunity to return home, regain stability, and see their communities rebuilt and reinvested in.”
