Réseau Inondations InterSectoriel du Québec (RIISQ)

Quebec has been caught off guard this last years during major floods, despite years of active research and efforts in the field of flood protection. Research has remained restricted to disciplinary silos, and as a result, failed to provide integrated solutions to the complex issue of flooding.

The RIISQ network, in Quebec, funded by the Fonds de Recherche du Québec (FRQ), was therefore created. It’s a platform of exchange and integration that brings together all government stakeholders, socio-economic partners, as well as researchers from the social, scientific, technological, medical, economic and political fields, to improve Quebec’s ability to get prepared for and protect against floods.

Mission

The mission of the Réseau Inondations InterSectoriel du Québec (RIISQ) is to contribute to the reduction of flood risks and their consequences, and to facilitate the resilience of organizations, communities and individuals in the face of these events, which are worsening as a result of climate change. It promotes links between civil society and universities through the combined actions of (academic) researchers and government ministries, relying on new knowledge in science and technology, social and health sciences to develop concrete and sustainable solutions.

Vision

Become the scientific reference in Quebec in the development of knowledge and the training necessary for a society more resilient to floods.

Objectives

The primary objective of RIISQ is to contribute to the development of advanced transdisciplinary research on flood risk management and its consequences in the context of climate change. The ultimate goal is to provide answers and solutions to the needs of communities and individuals exposed to floods.

Specific objectives :

• To combine field expertise and research on flood risks, including lessons learned (post mortem);
  
• To improve the understanding of the risks of floods and their consequences (domino effect) on the populations;
  
• To improve our understanding of the vulnerability, adaptation, and resilience of individuals, organizations and communities to floods;
  
• To contribute to renewed and improved flood risk governance and management;
  
• To contribute to better awareness, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery from flood events for stakeholders;
  
• To synthesize existing knowledge and generate useful knowledge to provide decision-makers and populations with evidence-based and sustainable solutions;
  
• To train the next generation and highly qualified personnel in flood risk management.