Disaster Risk Assessment of Schools in Mato Grosso

Overview & Synopsis

The report presents a disaster risk assessment of 75 public schools in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS) that integrates geospatial, environmental, climatic, and educational data, the study analyzes schools’ exposure to climate-related hazards and identifies priority areas for resilience-building measures. The assessment combines historical disaster records from 1991–2022 with spatial analysis, hydrological modeling, and climate projections to evaluate four key threats: floods, windstorms, heat waves, and forest fires. The findings indicate that hydrological events are the most frequent disasters in Mato Grosso, while windstorms account for a disproportionate share of damage to school facilities, particularly roofs. The analysis also highlights growing exposure to heat-related risks in the southern region of the state under future climate scenarios. Although no direct damage from forest fires was identified, several schools are located near recent fire outbreaks, raising concerns about air quality and community health. The report concludes with recommendations to strengthen disaster preparedness, enhance school infrastructure resilience, and support climate adaptation planning in the education sector.