On the role of government in integrated disaster risk governance—Based on practices in China

Abstract

This article outlines the roles of government in ensuring integrated disaster risk governance in China. In general, government plays important political, economic, cultural, and social roles in risk governance systems that include resource assurance, technical support, and disaster risk management. Three key aspects of governance relate to those roles: (1) Overall leadership. Politically, the government has a leading role for the overall rule and system design, including legislation, decision-making processes, and policy implementation mechanisms. Economically, the government’s primary responsibility is to strengthen resource assurance, including coordinating development and disaster reduction, and providing support for disaster reduction activities. Culturally, the government must increase risk awareness through disaster reduction education, training, and practice of emergency response skills, disaster risk research, and technical development. Socially, the government is vital to the improvement of integrated management, including disaster, risk, and emergency management systems. (2) Engaging civil society. Politically, the government is charged with the responsibility to engage and collaborate with civil society, such as NGOs. Economically, it is the role of the government to consolidate governmental and community resources. Culturally, the government needs to give the same importance to the functions of majority and minority cultures alike. Socially, it is the duty of the government to coordinate advantaged and disadvantaged social groups. (3) International cooperation. The government has an international humanitarian role politically to carry out disaster reduction diplomacy; economically to strengthen the catastrophe financial assurance system; culturally to improve the world safety culture, disaster reduction education, and technology assurance systems; and socially to increase the capacity for international disaster relief and assistance and volunteer services.