RedR UK disaster relief

, United Kingdom

Year

Founded 1980

Duration

45 years (and counting)

Cost

Unknown

Location

United Kingdom

Project achievements

Area improved

Wherever RedR UK goes there is going to be a positive improvement to local facilities.

Solved the problem

Deal with water, sanitation issues in extreme emergency environments.

Used engineering skill

Technical skills needed to deliver technical solutions to humanitarian need.

Prepare engineers to deliver timely, effective technical solutions in emergencies

RedR UK is an international non-governmental organisation and learning provider that strengthens the capacity of aid workers, agencies, and governments to prepare, respond and recover from disaster.

The organisation was founded by civil engineer Peter Guthrie at an ICE symposium in 1980 as the Register of Engineers for Disaster Relief (RedR).

Guthrie was inspired by his experience working with refugees in the Vietnam boat crisis in the late 1970s.

Based on what he saw, he wanted to concentrate engineering expertise in the places in the world where it was most needed.

Forty-five years later, RedR stands strong in the conviction that globally, engineers have a significant role to play in humanitarian response.

RedR UK

RedR UK was founded by civil engineer Peter Guthrie. He was volunteering in a camp for Vietnamese refugees and was the only engineer in the camp, helping provide water, sanitation and shelter for 40,000 people. The experience taught him that engineers’ expertise was vital in emergencies.

Did you know …

RedR trained 3,685 responders from 48 nationalities through nearly 300 world-class learning events in 2023-2024.
In 2023-2024, RedR equipped 932 engineers working in crisis contexts with tools to apply their technical expertise in humanitarian response.
RedR’s flagship climate training programme reached over 800 practitioners in 2023. The programme delivered critical skills in climate adaptation techniques, drought resilience, and disaster risk reduction for responders in East Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

How RedR UK works

Today, RedR works at the intersection of engineering, climate change, and disaster risk reduction, working to strengthen the long-term resilience of the built environment.

The organisation designs and delivers tailored learning programmes for engineers and aid professionals working in humanitarian and development contexts.

Through strong connections to leading engineering firms and networks such as the ICE, RedR continues to gather information, develop technical training, foster cultures of partnership, and set standards for good practice.

RedR’s work prioritises sustainability and local ownership. It makes sure that the skills and knowledge shared through training programmes gets passed on.

This approach amplifies impact and ensures that critical expertise remains in-country.

RedR services are supported by a diverse community comprising 200 expert associate trainers, 1,100 members, and strategic partnerships.

Together, they enable the delivery of high quality, contextualised, and relevant learning services.

Examples of RedR UK's work

RedR currently operates in East Africa, the Middle East, North Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Europe. This includes:

In the drought-affected regions of Somalia and Afghanistan, RedR equipped responders with practical skills in climate resilience tactics to reduce the need to rely on external aid and to strengthen local leadership. This included the implementation of low-water irrigation systems, sustainable farming techniques, and enhancing the seismic (earthquakes) safety of structures.
In Mali, RedR is equipping staff from local organisations with essential tools to strengthen the delivery of nutrition in emergencies and tackle extreme hunger.
In Ukraine, where war has disrupted essential infrastructure, RedR is collaborating with local water utility (vodokanal) teams to help provide sustainable water and sanitation services. The project, delivered in partnership with UNICEF, will enhance the technical and leadership capacity of over 780 engineers and management staff.
In Lebanon, where conflict has displaced thousands, RedR is providing targeted security management training to enable local responders to work safely.
RedR is leading the development of the third edition of the Engineering in Emergencies Handbook. This modernised, people-centred resource integrates diverse expertise to guide humanitarian engineers in planning, response, and recovery.