Abstract
At the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, Hyogo, Japan, in January 2005, the international community adopted a 10-year plan to make the world safer from disasters. The resultant Hyogo Framework for Action is the global blueprint for disaster risk reduction with the goal of substantially reducing disaster losses in human lives and socio-economic assets. What is the signi!cance of the HFA for the adoption of disaster prevention, management and risk reduction frameworks in African States? Since 2005, what has been the attitude of African States to the promise of the HFA? In terms of policy and planning, how should African States engage the HFA towards securing human lives and properties against natural and human-induced disasters? With the myriad challenges of mass poverty and underdevelopment across Africa, what implications does the HFA hold for disaster risk reduction and management in African States? This article attempts to address this plethora of questions, drawing on lessons learned in Africa and beyond. The article examines the background of the HFA and its progress in shaping the global policy agenda towards disaster management and reduction. While the article acknowledges some of the inherent weaknesses in the promise of the HFA, it nonetheless accentuates its inimitable implications for broad legal and policy strategies towards ameliorating the usual horrific aftermath of disasters in Africa.
Highlights
It is beyond polemics that from human-induced to natural, all over the world there have been series of disasters that have wrought devastation on lives and resources
From the World Conference on Disaster Reduction and especially the agreed expected outcome and strategic goals, five priorities for action are stated as part of the HFA, together with some illustrative and research-specific sub-items, namely (1) to ensure that disaster risk reduction is a national and a local priority with a strong institutional basis for implementation; (2) to identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning; (3) to use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels; (4) to reduce the underlying risk factors; and (5) to strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels
Subsequent to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the international community recognised the lack of disaster preparedness from not having a proper warning system in place, which resulted in the failure to mitigate harm to the people in disaster-stricken regions
Summary
It is beyond polemics that from human-induced to natural, all over the world there have been series of disasters that have wrought devastation on lives and resources.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
