Disaster Risk Management Framework Research Articles

The COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Its Impact on Post-Corona Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management in Türkiye

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the entire world, has not only created a number of emerging issues for each country, especially in the field of public health, but has also provided a number of opportunities for risk management, alternative strategies and completely new ways of looking at challenges. This brief report examines the COVID-19 pandemic response in Türkiye and the possible implications of the experience for future responses to other health emergencies and disaster risk management, based on the lessons learned. This study uses publicly available literature from government, private sector and academic sources to analyse the conflicts, changes and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, which are components of the World Health Organization (WHO) Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (Health EDRM) framework. The COVID-19 experience in Türkiye has several aspects, including the significant role of healthcare workers, the existence of an effective health system accustomed to emergencies, applications based on information technologies, the partial transparency of public authorities in providing information and a socio-cultural environment related to cooperation on prevention strategies, including wearing masks and vaccination. Challenges in Türkiye include distance learning in schools, lockdowns that particularly affect the elderly, ensuring environmental sustainability, hesitation about the effectiveness of social/financial support programs, the socio-cultural trivialisation of pandemics after a while and the relaxation of prevention strategies. Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic include the value of transparency in public health/healthcare information, the strengthening of all aspects of the health system in terms of health workers and the importance of a balanced economy prepared for foreseeable risks.

Primary Health Care and Disasters: Applying a "Whole-of-Health System" Approach through Reverse Triage in Mass-Casualty Management.

In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (H-EDRM) framework detailing how effective management of disasters, including mass-casualty incidents (MCIs), can be achieved through a whole-of-health system approach where each level of the health care system is involved in all phases of the disaster cycle. In light of this, a primary health care (PHC) approach can contribute to reducing negative health outcomes of disasters, since it encompasses the critical roles that primary care services can play during crises. Hospitals can divert non-severe MCI victims to primary care services by applying reverse triage (RT), thereby preventing hospital overloading and ensuring continuity of care for those who do not require hospital services during the incident. This study explores the topic by reviewing the literature published on early discharge of MCI victims through RT criteria and existing referral pathways to primary care services. A scoping literature review was performed and a total of ten studies were analyzed. The results showed that integrating primary care facilities into disaster management (DM) through the use of RT may be an effective strategy to create surge during MCIs, provided that clear referral protocols exist between hospitals and primary care services to ensure continuity of care. Furthermore, adequate training should be provided to primary care professionals to be prepared and be able to provide quality care to MCI victims. The results of this current review can serve as groundwork upon which to design further research studies or to help devise strategies and policies for the integration of PHC in MCI management.

Applying a “Whole-of-Health-System” Approach in Mass Casualty Management

Introduction:In 2019, the World Health Organization published the Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (H-EDRM) framework, detailing how all actors in the health system can contribute to reducing negative health outcomes of emergencies and disasters, including mass casualty incidents (MCI). The H-EDRM framework’s whole-of-health-system approach stresses the need for each level of healthcare systems to be involved in all phases of the disaster cycle, particularly preparedness and response. This approach highlights the critical role that lower levels of care, including primary healthcare, can play during MCI, demonstrating the need to integrate these into countries’ disaster plans. Nevertheless, countries’ disaster management plans have historically focused on hospitals and few recommendations exist for how to practically proceed with such an integration. This study explores what has been published on the topic of reverse triage (RT), namely the process used by healthcare workers (HCWs) to determine which patients can safely be discharged to lower levels of care, resulting in increased surge capacity at hospitals. The objective of this work is to collect evidence around existing criteria, tools or referral pathways used by HCWs during MCI, ultimately integrating lower levels of care in MCI management.Method:A systematic literature review was performed and a total of 12 studies were analyzed.Results:Literature focusing on RT towards lower levels of care during MCI is scant and limited to few case studies. There is no standardized tool or guidelines for how to perform RT and existing referral pathways are described in only isolated case studies.Conclusion:Published evidence on RT criteria is limited. The results of the current review can serve as groundwork upon which to design further research studies. It can be used to help devise strategies and policies for the integration of lower levels of care during MCI.

Disaster Preparedness at the Primary Health Care Level: The Proposal of a New Framework

Introduction:With the publication of the Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (H-EDRM) Framework in 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized the need for disaster preparedness in all sectors of the health system, including primary health care (PHC). PHC disaster preparedness plays a crucial role in guaranteeing continuity of care and responding to the health needs of vulnerable populations during disasters. While this is universally acknowledged as an important component of disaster management (DM), there is still a severe paucity of scholarship addressing how to practically ensure that a PHC system is prepared for disasters. The objective of this study is to propose a new framework that describes key characteristics for PHC disaster preparedness and lays the groundwork to deliver operational recommendations to assess and improve PHC disaster preparedness.Method:A systematic literature review including the following online scientific databases was performed: Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, National Library of Medicine, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Gray literature was also found by searching in: Trove, Mednar, and OpenGray. A total of 145 records were analyzed.Results:Twenty-five characteristics that contribute to a well-prepared PHC system were identified and categorized according to the WHO Health System Building Blocks to form a new PHC disaster preparedness framework.Conclusion:The findings will contribute to the elaboration of a set of guidelines for PHC systems to follow in order to assess and boost their disaster preparedness. This will hopefully help to raise awareness among international policymakers and health practitioners on the importance to design interventions that integrate PHC into overall DM strategies, as well as to assess the preparedness of PHC systems in different political, developmental, and cultural contexts. The proposed framework is currently being used by our research group as groundwork for the creation of an assessment tool for evaluating all-hazards preparedness at the PHC level.

Systematically Identifying and Evaluating Strategies for Strengthening Community Resilience

Introduction:Vulnerable populations were the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This included those with underlying health conditions, self-employed, low-income, people with limited access to health care, and the elderly. To capture these lessons and identify resilience actions, the Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (Health EDRM) Framework was used to guide the application of the Public Health System Resilience Scorecard (Scorecard).Method:This study was conducted in Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, Slovenia, Turkey, and the United States. Participants included emergency professionals, doctors, nurses, environmental health specialists, researchers, and government officials. The Scorecard was used to rank the level of preparedness from 0-5 (5 the highest) for the public health system resilience indicators. Following the individual workshops, recommendations were collated and interpreted to develop consolidated priority actions.Results:The priority actions related to surge capacity, mental health, ecosystems, societal needs, and high-risk populations. To address surge capacity issues, determining whether existing disaster structures have the capacity to provide support for hospitals during patient surges. This could include services that enable telehealth and primary health care to support hospitals during a crisis. Mental health services at the local government level should be evaluated and awareness of ecosystem risks in urban and rural areas needs to increase. Strategies for achieving reciprocal trust are required to enable uptake of public health information, and the extent at which pre-existing chronic health issues are likely to exacerbate needs to be understood and addressed.Conclusion:This study revealed several areas for strengthening public health system resilience. Priority actions relate to addressing needs relating to surge capacity, mental health, ecosystems, societal needs, and high-risk populations. This serves as a framework for transforming public health systems to become more adaptive, flexible, and focused on enabling societies to function at the highest possible level when responding to a disaster or pandemics.

Improving access to primary health care for refugee women and children using Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Framework during pandemic: a mixed method study in three countries

Improving access to primary health care for refugee women and children using Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Framework during pandemic: a mixed method study in three countries

The COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Its Impact on Post-Pandemic Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management in the United States

Among the impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the public health system in the United States has been a reevaluation of emergency response systems and procedures. This study uses publicly available literature from government, private sector, and academic sources to identify changes and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic in specific aspects of emergency response, namely human resources, health service delivery, and logistics, determined based on the World Health Organization Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (WHO Health EDRM) Framework. Major themes of changes implemented include those intended to increase mobility and flexibility of workforce and resources, integration of various parts of the health system, and effective communication, and are anticipated to be incorporated into response systems going forward.

Establishing a National Emergency Medical Team in the Republic of Palau

Background/Introduction:Palau is a small island/large ocean nation in the Pacific with a population of approximately 18,000 and a high level of vulnerability to natural or climate-related disasters. In June 2022, Palau became the smallest nation in the world by population to establish a national Emergency Medical Team (EMT). The team is named “Klemat,” after the rope that holds the sails of Palau’s traditional canoes.Objectives:To establish a national EMT capable of self-sufficient, high-quality clinical response to disasters and outbreaks that may occur locally or in neighboring jurisdictions.Method/Description:The development of Klemat required a multi-step process with support from technical and funding partners. Online orientation webinars and meetings were held in 2019 and 2020, and a national Technical Working Group (TWG) was formed in 2022. A national EMT coordinator was jointly hired by the WHO and the Ministry of Health and Human Services of Palau in 2022, and EMT Standard Operating Procedures were drafted.Results/Outcomes:Klemat is the nation’s deployable clinical response capacity, capable of fully self-sufficient tented out-patient and emergency care in the most austere disaster or outbreak circumstances. There are now 18 fully trained clinical and support team members. Klemat is working with relevant stakeholders to be codified in the national disaster risk management framework of Palau.Conclusion:Palau’s development of a national EMT demonstrates that even the smallest of countries can establish self-sufficient EMTs capable of national or regional response.

Primary health care disaster preparedness: A review of the literature and the proposal of a new framework

With the publication of the Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (H-EDRM) Framework in 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized the need for disaster preparedness in all sectors of the health system, including primary health care (PHC). PHC disaster preparedness plays a crucial role in guaranteeing continuity of care and responding to the health needs of vulnerable populations during disasters. While this is universally acknowledged as an important component of disaster management (DM), there is still a severe paucity of scholarship addressing how to practically ensure that a PHC system is prepared for disasters. The objective of this study is to propose a new framework that describes key characteristics for PHC disaster preparedness and lays the groundwork to deliver operational recommendations to assess and improve PHC disaster preparedness. A systematic literature review was performed and a total of 145 records were analyzed. Twenty-five characteristics that contribute to a well-prepared PHC system were identified and categorized according to the WHO Health System Building Blocks to form a new PHC disaster preparedness framework. The findings will contribute to the elaboration of a set of guidelines for PHC systems to follow in order to assess and then boost their disaster preparedness. This manuscript will hopefully help to raise awareness among international policymakers and health practitioners on the importance to design interventions that integrate the PHC system into overall DM strategies, as well as to assess the preparedness of PHC systems in different political, developmental, and cultural contexts.

Towards stronger local government and educational institutions in climate change impact mitigation: A policy paper on fiscal sustainability on climate change

Through a careful analysis of official government documents such as national statutes, national agency memorandum orders, policy directives reports, and national and local plans, among others, pertinent to the Philippine Government's response to climate change mitigation and adaptation, the paper elucidated the policy directions of the country concerning climate change response. Aimed at proposing recommendations to enhance the current legal, organizational, and fiscal frameworks of the Philippine Government in its efforts to mainstream its climate change strategy, the paper identified some of the gaps and possible areas of improvement in the standing legal and structural constellations of policies employed in the country. It has been found by the research that though there have been actions related to the international mandate of promoting sustainable development, there are still areas that can be reformed and revisited if the government programs and institutions are to remain in fidelity to the commitments of the Philippines to combat the impacts and mitigate the effects of climate change. As the title suggests, the paper offers policy directions to strengthen government and academic institutions to better respond to this daunting challenge.References2013 Typhoon Haiyan: Facts, FAQs, and how to help. (n.d.). World vision. https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/2013-typhoon-haiyan-facts.Asian Disaster Reduction Center. (n.d.). Information on disaster risk reduction of member countries. https://www.adrc.asia/nationinformation.php?NationCode=608&Lang=en.Asian Development Bank. (2012). Addressing migration and climate change in Asia and the Pacific: Final report. ADB.Blair, H. (2000). Participation and accountability in the periphery: Democratic local governance in six countries. World Development 28(1). 21-39.Brillantes, A. & Montes, R. (2007). Federalism: Logical step after devolution? Philippine Journal of Public Administration 51(1-4). 1-32.Brillantes, A. (1987). Decentralization in the Philippines: An overview. Philippine Journal of Public Administration, 31 (2): 131-148.Brillantes, A. (1998). Decentralized democratic governance under the local government code: A governmental perspective. Philippine Journal of Public Administration, 32(1&2): 38-57.Brown, K. (2012). Typhoon Pablo batters ‘typhoon-free’ Mindanao. The Asia Foundation. https://asiafoundation.org/2012/ 12/19/typhoon-pablo-batters-typhoon-free-mindanao/.Capuno, J. (2019). Tugs of war: Local governments, national government. Public Policy Journal, 16 & 17: 98-116.Cheema, S. & Rondinelli, D. (2007). Decentralizing governance: Emerging concepts and practices. Brookings Institution Press.Dorotan, E. & Carizo, J. (2014). Issues and critical actions in local governance. Galing Pook Foundation.Hannah, R. (2014). Climate change and human development. Zed Books Ltd.Griggs, G. (2017). Coasts in crisis: A global challenge. University of California Press.Jha, A. & Geddes, Z. (2013). Strong, safe, and resilient: A strategic policy guide for disaster risk management in East Asia and the Pacific. The World Bank.Local Government Academy of the Philippines. (2013). User’s manual for LGUs: Guidebook for the preparation of LCCAP. Fabi’s Enterprises.Manila Observatory for the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering. (2010). COMSTE Technical primer on climate change in the Philippines conference engineering resilience, confronting risk beyond adaptation. Sofitel ManilaMayon mud buries 100 in Bicol amid ‘Reming’ fury. (2006, Nov. 30). GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/22465/mayon-mud-buries-100-in-bicol-amid-remingfury/story/.National Climate Change Commission. (2021). 2020 Accomplishment Report: Adapting for a sustainable future.National Climate Change Commission. (2011). National climate change action plan.National Climate Change Commission. (2019). The Philippine national climate change action plan.NDCC: Typhoon ‘Frank’ damage estimate now at P 10B. (2008, July 1). GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/104407/ndcc-typhoon-frank-damage-estimate-now-atp10b/story/.Perez, R. (2017). Assessment of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in the Philippines coastal resources sector. Natural Disaster Reduction Branch – PAGASA.Remembering Milenyo’s wrath in 2006. (2014, July 15). Philippine Star. https://www.philstar.com/news-commentary/2014/07/15/1346515/remembering-milenyos-wrath-2006.Republic Act 9729, An act mainstreaming climate change into government policy formulations, establishing the framework strategy and program on climate change, creating for this purpose the climate change commission, and other purposes (2009). https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2009/10/23/republic-act-no- 9729/.Republic Act 10174, An act establishing the people’s survival fund to provide long-term finance streams to enable the government to effectively address the problem of climate change, amending for the purpose Republic Act 9729, otherwise known as the 'Climate Change Act of 2009', and for other purposes (2012). https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2012/08/16/republic-act-no-10174/.Republic Act 10121, An act strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System, providing for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management framework and institutionalizing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, appropriating funds therefore and for other purposes (2010). https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2010/05/27/republic-act-no-10121/.Republic Act 7160, An Act for a Local Government Code of 1991 (1991). https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1991/10/10/republic-act-no-7160/.Walker, R. & Mason, W. (2015). Climate change adaptation for health and social services. CSIRO Publishing.

Challenges of Data Availability and Use in Conducting Health-EDRM Research in a Post-COVID-19 World.

Disasters disrupt communication channels, infrastructure, and overburden health systems. This creates unique challenges to the functionality of surveillance tools, data collection systems, and information sharing platforms. The WHO Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (Health-EDRM) framework highlights the need for appropriate data collection, data interpretation, and data use from individual, community, and global levels. The COVID-19 crisis has evolved the way hazards and risks are viewed. No longer as a linear event but as a protracted hazard, with cascading and compound risks that affect communities facing complex risks such as climate-related disasters or urban growth. The large-scale disruptions of COVID-19 show that disaster data must evolve beyond mortality and frequency of events, in order to encompass the impact on the livelihood of communities, differentiated between population groups. This includes relative economic losses and psychosocial damage. COVID-19 has created a global opportunity to review how the scientific community classifies data, and how comparable indicators are selected to inform evidence-based resilience building and emergency preparedness. A shift into microlevel data, and regional-level information sharing is necessary to tailor community-level interventions for risk mitigation and disaster preparedness. Real-time data sharing, open governance, cross-organisational, and inter-platform collaboration are necessary not just in Health-EDRM and control of biological hazards, but for all natural hazards and man-made disasters.

Indonesia’s Climate-Related Disasters and Health Adaptation Policy in the Build-Up to COP26 and Beyond

In recent years, Indonesia has experienced rapid increases in severe climate-related disasters have dramatically impacted populations unevenly; the poor and the vulnerable populations are most affected, and adaptive measures are urgently needed to protect and mitigate the impact on their health. However, very little is known about the existing measures addressing climate-related disasters and health impacts among vulnerable groups. WHO established a Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management framework to urge governments and relevant actors to systematically collect evidence to develop science-based feasible adaptive strategies for priority groups. This study used scoping review methods to identify the action areas of Health-EDRM in policy documents in Indonesia, its content, and any potential gaps that require further study. The results from the documents’ review were then reported and discussed at a national stakeholder consultation meeting. This study has identified several achievements, lessons learned, and challenges from strategies and policies for health adaptation in facing climate-related disasters in Indonesia. This study also proposed strategies and recommendations to support mobilizing and accelerating health adaptation actions towards climate-related disasters in Indonesia.

AB007. Health-DRR nexus: where is the rub?—a case study on the Philippines’ response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic

Background: This paper reviews the theoretical, legal, and operational links between health emergency management and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the context of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. While the Sendai Framework for DDR recognizes epidemics and pandemics as among the biological hazards that should be addressed in DRR, there seems to be a disconnect in the way the world, and national governments treated DRR of the SFDRR and the Health Emergency Disaster Risk Management (Health-EDRM) framework adopted by the WHO in 2019. An initial study on the topic notes the “silo” between the two when it stated that “there is no mention of disaster at all within the WHO COVID-19 technical guidance” and “it is not clear whether COVID-19 is leading to collaboration between the WHO and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction”. At the country level, it has been noted that countries took dramatically different implementation approaches in managing the pandemic.

Reconstruction of heritage in Bhaktapur, Nepal: examining tensions and negotiations between the “local” and the “global”

PurposeCultural heritage, specifically built heritage – including monuments, urban ensembles, religious and palatial complexes – has emerged as a central focus of tensions and negotiations within the post-disaster recovery landscape in Nepal following the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake. This not only reflects a growing recognition of heritage within international disaster risk management frameworks, but also responds to the critical role played by heritage at national, regional and local levels. The paper aims to examine the entangled realities of “local” and “global” operating in ongoing reconstruction of built heritage in Bhaktapur, Nepal.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is an account of reconstruction practices observed in Bhaktapur between 2018 and 2020. It is based on data collected by layering ethnographic methods with textual and historical analysis. In seeking to analyse manifestations of global and local, the author presents reflections from fieldwork carried over seven months in Bhaktapur and describes the micro-politics enacted out between researcher, heritage custodians, translators, intermediaries and participants.FindingsReconstruction of built heritage in Bhaktapur negotiates between developmentalist-paradigms of post-disaster recovery, heritage conservation discourses as well as religious and quotidian practices of care. It is simultaneously informed by global institutions and policy and local politics and aspirations that operate in constant tension and negotiation.Originality/valueThe current study responds to the call for reframing research agendas and practices set out in the Disaster Studies Manifesto by critically engaging with ideas of local and global. The study builds on the growing body of research linking heritage with disaster risk management.

URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN STRATEGIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The article indicates that from the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the scientific community has been continuously trying to assess the virus, its socio-environmental impacts, regulatory/adaptation policies, and plans. The emergency is to develop pandemic-resilient city planning and management in order to tackle the infectious diseases during COVID-19. Such development includes the reframing of unsustainable urban patterns, hazards, and social inequalities to be prepared for the emerging cases. In this study, we focus on the assessment of disaster risk management (DRM), which will help to develop pandemic-resilient urban strategies (response, mitigation, and preparedness phase) through analyzing previously published literature. The article presents the Short- and long-term recommendations for pandemic resilience urban planning and design have also been provided. In the response phase, implementation of the smart and resilient city design and policies has been highlighted to identify disease transmission. In the mitigation phase, new technological approaches can be adopted for better management of present and future pandemics. The physical (urban access, infrastructure, environmental factors, and land use patterns) and non-physical (socio-cultural, governance, and economic factors) aspects of resilient urban strategies have been focused, which may help to develop understanding of health- and disaster-related risks in pandemic. In the preparedness phase, proactive measures such as capacity building of people toward any outbreak and different simulation processes (models of transmission pattern) can be adopted for future pandemics. We also discuss about the enhancement of urban resiliency in housing, public spaces, and cities that may bring the effective outcome of DRM framework to combat pandemic. The study focuses on the major lessons that can be adopted for post-pandemic urban resilient planning related to disaster management and climate change adaptation, preventing extensive challenges of sustainability apart. In the following months and years, it will be difficult to assess various changes to develop urban planning and design in the post-COVID-19 world. However, this study expresses the possibility of creating good opportunities for policymakers and city planners to undertake significant transformative and advanced actions during the three different phases of DRM. This study presents a novel approach to delineate the scope of DRM framework in achieving more resilient cities (RC) to tackle future pandemics. This study will also crucially help the planners and decision-makers in better assessing and addressing the strategic and resilient urban design and planning approach in future.

Narrative Review of Primary Preventive Interventions against Water-Borne Diseases: Scientific Evidence of Health-EDRM in Contexts with Inadequate Safe Drinking Water.

Waterborne diseases account for 1.5 million deaths a year globally, particularly affecting children in low-income households in subtropical areas. It is one of the most enduring and economically devastating biological hazards in our society today. The World Health Organization Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (health-EDRM) Framework highlights the importance of primary prevention against biological hazards across all levels of society. The framework encourages multi-sectoral coordination and lessons sharing for community risk resilience. A narrative review, conducted in March 2021, identified 88 English-language articles published between January 2000 and March 2021 examining water, sanitation, and hygiene primary prevention interventions against waterborne diseases in resource-poor settings. The literature identified eight main interventions implemented at personal, household and community levels. The strength of evidence, the enabling factors, barriers, co-benefits, and alternative measures were reviewed for each intervention. There is an array of evidence available across each intervention, with strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of water treatment and safe household water storage. Studies show that at personal and household levels, interventions are effective when applied together. Furthermore, water and waste management will have a compounding impact on vector-borne diseases. Mitigation against waterborne diseases require coordinated, multi-sectoral governance, such as building sanitation infrastructure and streamlined waste management. The review showed research gaps relating to evidence-based alternative interventions for resource-poor settings and showed discrepancies in definitions of various interventions amongst research institutions, creating challenges in the direct comparison of results across studies.

The Standardization Process as a Chance for Conceptual Refinement of a Disaster Risk Management Framework: The ARCH Project

Risks related to climate change and natural hazards increasingly affect urban areas such as historic towns, old urban quarters, villages, and hamlets. These, as well as historic landscapes, make up a significant part of an urban area’s identity and cannot just be rebuilt or significantly changed without taking into account the historic value, cultural background, and prescribed regulations. Systematic resilience building for historic areas is becoming essential, and research supporting it will be in the spotlight. However, questions still exist concerning how to best transfer research results into practice at the community level. Standardization of resilience-enhancing methods and tools deriving from research projects is one option, chosen, e.g., for the EU-Horizon 2020 project ARCH. Within the project, a disaster risk management (DRM) framework has been composed and then transferred into a standard, supported by a co-creation approach involving relevant stakeholders. This article outlines the project’s different standardization steps and its impact on the development of the ARCH DRM Framework. It highlights the systematic inclusion of project-external stakeholders who actively contribute to the validation and enhancement of the ARCH DRM framework to guarantee maximum applicability in historic areas, supporting them in their fight against the impacts of climate change and natural hazards.

Geospatial Data Utilisation in National Disaster Management Frameworks and the Priorities of Multilateral Disaster Management Frameworks: Case Studies of India and Bulgaria

Facing the increased frequency of disasters and resulting in massive damages, many countries have developed their frameworks for Disaster Risk Management (DRM). However, these frameworks may differ concerning legal, policy, planning and organisational arrangements. We argue that geospatial data is a crucial binding element in each national framework for different stages of the disaster management cycle. The multilateral DRM frameworks, like the Sendai Framework 2015–2030 and the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UNGGIM) Strategic Framework on Geospatial Information and Services for Disasters, provide the strategic direction, but they are too generic to compare geospatial data in national DRM frameworks. This study investigates the two frameworks and suggests criteria for evaluating the utilisation of geospatial data for DRM. The derived criteria are validated for the comparative analysis of India and Bulgaria’s National Disaster Management Frameworks. The validation proves that the criteria can be used for a general comparison across national DRM.

Integrating psychosocial and WASH school interventions to build disaster resilience

This paper reviews the key disaster risk management (DRM) frameworks used for protecting children's wellbeing in disaster settings and identifies a lack of consideration for (1) psychosocial and (2) water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) needs. It also demonstrates that these two domains are meaningfully linked, as access to adequate WASH provision may protect psychosocial wellbeing and promote community resilience. As support in both domains is vitally important to children's wellbeing, these gaps warrant immediate attention. Schools are uniquely situated to support these needs as part of disaster risk management and resilience building. Therefore, we consider the ASEAN Common Framework for Comprehensive School Safety (ACFCSS), which is an adaptation of the Comprehensive School Safety Framework (CSS) implemented in schools across the ASEAN region. While the CSS explicitly considers WASH, it only briefly considers psychosocial support; the ACFCCS lacks consideration of both domains. We argue revisions of the ACFCSS should prioritise the inclusion of psychosocial and WASH support and consider the role of schools beyond their capacity as educational institutions. We present an adaptation of ACFCSS with an additional framework pillar to guide this revision. Overall, we advocate for an integrated approach to DRM in schools based on an evidence-based, interdisciplinary perspective. We provide a series of evidence-based recommendations for DRM frameworks to consider, especially for those that intend to safeguard the wellbeing of children.

A gap analysis of the legislative, policy, institutional and crises management frameworks for disaster risk management in Cameroon

This paper evaluates and analyses Cameroon's contemporary legislative, policy, institutional, administrative, and governance/power structures for disaster risk management (DRM) to identify gaps for improvement. A qualitative research strategy was used to assess Cameroon's compliance with international DRM frameworks in order to determine their effectiveness. The Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction (SFDRR) provided conceptual guidance to the enquiries and systematic analysis. An evaluation of Cameroon's DRM legislation, policies, institutions, and governance suggests the existence of basic structures with on-paper provisions for a decentralised, multi-hazard and multi-disciplinary/agency DRM approach. Embedded in the structures are standard protocols for responding to natural hazards, crises/emergencies, or disasters. Yet, operationally, Cameroon's DRM system is yet to attain its full potential. A gap analysis reveals the frameworks are mainly natural hazard, crises/disaster driven. Details of stakeholder roles and responsibilities are either vague or not explicit in the statutory instruments. The inclusion of clearly defined guidelines for cross-sectoral and multi-stakeholder interventions in the DRM instruments is limited. The DRM frameworks are generally more reactive than proactive and adopts a hierarchical top-down decision making and power structure where lower administrative units are not sufficiently empowered to efficiently perform DRM functions. Generally, the contemporary DRM structures undermine the ability to enhance resilience to disaster risks. Recommendations from a gap analysis suggests that an overhaul of the DRM frameworks is inevitable to curb the rising disaster risks in the country. Any reorganisation must consider elevating the Directorate of Civil Protection to an independent/autonomous structure placed directly under the Prime Minister's Office or the Presidency.