The Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) program unveiled its first center in the Chinese mainland in Shanghai on Tuesday.

Located in Fudan University, the center will study the connections between extreme weather, climate and public health.

"We will provide advice for policymakers, publish reports, and organize training and conference to address the environmental hazards and their impact on human society," said Tang Xu, executive director of the center.

The center now has five research teams led by renowned professors. It has also formed partnerships with key national and municipal labs.

Riyanti Djalante, chair of the scientific committee of the?IRDR, said, "Public health issues, particularly in the era of COVID-19, and the ever-increasing impact of the climate change are the two great challenges we are facing globally. We hope important research outputs from Fudan University will be utilized by the global society."

IRDR is an international comprehensive research program sponsored by the International Science Council and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The program builds trans-disciplinary centers of excellence worldwide to facilitate global governance on disaster risk reduction through technical innovation, knowledge sharing and engagement in humanitarian assistance.