Disaster Risk Management System Research Articles

Analyzing Vulnerabilities of Disaster Risk Management Systems of Local Governments in South Korea: Evidence from National Audit Office Reports

The capacity of local governments to act as frontline disaster management agencies is crucial to urban sustainability and disaster risk management systems. However, vulnerabilities in the management systems can hinder the effectiveness of disaster risk management, affecting the resilience and sustainable development of urban areas. This study examines vulnerable areas of disaster risk management from a practical perspective, based on audit findings conducted by the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI). The stages of disaster risk management are classified as prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. The disaster risk management activities that local governments should undertake at each stage have been identified and summarized. The vulnerabilities and associated cases related to disaster risk management were comprehensively analyzed by compiling the results of local government disaster risk management audits conducted after 2015. This study revealed vulnerabilities in areas such as disaster management funds, prevention facilities, safety inspections, forecasting and warning systems, and resident evacuation, all of which are integral to maintaining urban sustainability. To avoid the recurrence of these issues, this study suggests that local governments should develop and implement improvement measures for each vulnerable area. The findings of this study can serve as valuable guidelines for local governments on ways to enhance their disaster risk management systems.

Building parliamentary capacities for advancing the disaster risk reduction agenda: Notes and reflections from a capacity-building field training for parliamentarians of the Americas and the Caribbean

As the escalating impacts of climate change exert greater pressure on national governments and their constituents, particularly in marginalized communities, legislators will need to leverage their roles to support national and local efforts to build disaster resilience. This will require a better understanding of risk, but also of the interconnections between the climate and disaster agendas. This is vital for legislators to strategically apply their capabilities to achieving the targets outlined by their respective national governments. The role of individual national parliamentarians in advancing the priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction remains largely unexplored in scholarly research. However, these individuals play pivotal social and political roles with varying degrees of power, networks, and local influence. Such roles can enhance communities' capacity to participate in building disaster resilience. A significant hurdle for parliamentarians is comprehending the priorities and mechanisms necessary to develop a robust and coherent disaster risk management system. This involves navigating the intricate conceptual dimensions of the disaster risk reduction agenda and bridging these concepts with their everyday functions as parliamentarians. We contend that field briefings and co-production offer an effective platform for enhancing parliamentarians' capacity to grasp the concepts surrounding climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. This article presents reflections drawn from a parliamentary training on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction with insights from the three-day capacity-building workshop with national legislators from the Americas and the Caribbean. The project was done in partnership between the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and an inter-parliamentary organization.

Digital Twin Smart Cities for Disaster Risk Management: A Review of Evolving Concepts

Natural hazard-induced disasters have caused catastrophic damage and loss to buildings, infrastructure, and the affected communities as a whole during the recent decades and their impact is expected to further escalate in the future. Thus, there is a huge demand for disaster risk management using digitalisation as a key enabler for effective and efficient disaster risk management systems. It is widely accepted that digital and intelligence technologies can help solve key aspects of disaster risk management such as disaster prevention and mitigation, and rescue and recovery. Digital Twin (DT) is one of the most promising technologies for multi-stage management which offers significant potential to advance disaster resilience. Smart Cities (SCs) use pervasive information and communications technology to monitor activities in the city. With increasingly large applications of DTs combined with big data generated from sensors in a SC, it is now possible to create Digital Twin Smart Cities (DTSCs). Despite the increasing prevalence of DTSC technologies and their profound impact on disaster risk management, a systematic and longitudinal view of the evolution to the current status of DTSC for disaster risk management does not exist. This review analyses 312 titles and abstracts and 72 full papers. To begin with, a scientific review of DT and SC is undertaken, where the evolution of DTSCs is reviewed. In addition, the intelligence technologies used in DTSCs for disaster risk management are assessed and their benefits are evaluated. Furthermore, the evolution and technical feasibility of DTSC-driven disaster risk management is evaluated by assessing current applications of DTSCs in disaster risk management. It was found that despite the significant potential benefits offered by DTSCs, they also add a new layer of complexities and challenges inherent to these technologies to the already complex web of complexities involved in disaster risk management. These challenges can be addressed by understanding how the process of utilising DTSCs in disaster risk reduction and sustainability is designed, which is essential for comprehending what DTSCs may offer, how it is implemented, and what it means to all involved stakeholders. This paper contributes to the knowledge by improving the understanding of the current status of DTSC technologies and their impact on disaster risk management, and articulating the challenges in implementing DTSC, which inspires the professional community to advance these technologies to address them in future research.

Impact of COVID-19 on Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management System: A Scoping Review of Healthcare Workforce Management in COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries faced a shortage as well as maldistribution of healthcare workers and a misalignment between healthcare needs and worker skills. In this scoping review, we have sought to identify the country-level responses to health workforce shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the advantages/best practices and disadvantages/lessons learned. We have reviewed 24 scientific papers in four electronic databases: Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, and TRIP. The main strategies implemented by countries were financial coordination mechanisms, relaxing standards/rules, worker redeployment, recruitment of volunteers, fast-tracking medical students, and using other workforce resources such as the recruitment of inactive healthcare workers and returnees whose registration had lapsed within the preceding 1–2 years. These strategies demonstrated numerous advantages, such as establishing mutual support across nations and organizations, boosting motivation among healthcare workers, and creating a new staffing model for future pandemics. However, several important lessons were also learned during the implementation process. Managing volunteers, including ensuring their safety and allocating them to areas in need, required significant effort and high-level coordination, particularly in the absence of a comprehensive needs assessment.

The COVID-19 response and accountability in South Africa.

South Africa is a country that has undergone massive societal changes in the last 30 years. At the time coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) struck, the country was still facing challenges in terms of inequality and the disaster vulnerability of its population. During COVID-19, the provision of lifesaving personal protective equipment and other resources was marred by corruption and failings of the governmental officials. At the same time, the complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic required operational changes in the public health and disaster risk management systems. This study provides an overview of the public service accountability legislation and framework. Flexibility of the disaster management structures at the local government level and flexible information sharing as well as cooperation of all relevant stakeholders are critical for efficient management of the coronavirus pandemic and the maintenance of accountability in that space. Those experiences are captured at local and district municipality levels in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Best practices and lessons should be taken forward and identified.

Consistency between the subjective and objective flood risk and willingness to purchase natural disaster insurance among farmers: Evidence from rural areas in Southwest China

Floods pose significant threats to farmers, and engaging in effective disaster avoidance behaviors can mitigate some of these risks for farmers in flood risk areas (FRA). However, due to farmers' bounded rationality characteristics, they often have a cognitive bias of blindly overestimating or underestimating flood risk, thus failing to perform correct disaster avoidance behaviors. Based on survey data from 180 farmers in FRA in southwest China, this study constructs an assessment method for farmers' subjective and objective flood risk and analyzes the characteristics of farmers' subjective and objective flood risk. A probit regression model explores the correlation between subjective and objective flood risk consistency and farmers' willingness to purchase natural disaster insurance (WPNDI). Results showed that of the 180 farmers surveyed, 63.89% had inconsistent subjective and objective flood risks, mainly reflected in an underestimation of objective flood risk. Farmers' subjective and objective flood risk consistency was found to be positively and significantly correlated with their WPNDI. When other conditions remain unchanged, for every unit increase in the consistency of farmers' subjective and objective flood risk, their WPNDI increased by 0.601 units on average. This paper originally proposed the hypothesis that the consistency of farmers' subjective and objective flood risk is positively and significantly correlated with their WPNDI, and proved the reliability of this hypothesis through research. These findings can provide policy references for disaster risk management and resilient disaster prevention system construction in FRA.

Impact of Covid-19 in Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management System: Healthcare Workforce Management in Covid-19

Introduction:COVID-19 conforms to key baseline characteristics of disaster which is defined as “a situation or event that overwhelms local capacity, necessitating a request for national or international level of assistance.” Many countries faced shortages of health workforce, maldistribution, misalignment of needs and skills of healthcare workers.The research goal is to identify the country responses on the shortage of workforce, their best practices and the lessons learned that may help to better handle any similar crisis in the future.Method:The scoping review was conducted in four electronic academic databases, namely, Medline, Web of Science, EBSCO, and TRIP and 24 scientific articles were reviewed. This study is funded by the World Health Organization Centre for Health Development (WKC-HEDRM-K21001).Results:The main strategies implemented were a financial coordination mechanism, relaxing standards/rule, redeployment, recruiting volunteers, fast tracking medical students, and using other resources in the workforce such as: the recruitment of inactive healthcare workers, returnees whose registration has lapsed within the last 1-2 years and integration of internationally educated health professionals. All these strategies demonstrated advantages like establishing mutual support across nations, organizations, motivating healthcare workers, lessening the workload of healthcare workers, and creating a new staff model for the next pandemic. If a pandemic lasts longer, financial support mechanisms are no longer feasible and longer working hours result in burnout. Managing volunteers, including supervision of their safety and allocation to the area in need, required hard effort and high-level coordination, especially when a needs assessment is unavailable. Another problem was the absence of an available list of resources, including volunteers and retired medical personnel.Conclusion:To date, countries have not yet determined clear policies on how to ensure the sustainability and resilience of the workforce during major health shocks. A follow-up study investigating the strategies implemented is needed.

Cloud transformation algorithm and Copulas function coupling model for drought hazard comprehensive evaluation

Drought hazard is the initial inputting element of regional drought disaster risk management system, which will result in serious drought disaster loss and ecological degradation in combination with the interaction of drought disaster vulnerability factors including population, social economy and ecological environment. Additionally, drought hazard comprehensive evaluation and its variation characteristic analysis are of significant importance for implementing drought disaster resistance schemes. Therefore, given the advantages of Multi-dimensional Precondition Cloud Algorithm (MPCA) in quantifying the uncertainties of drought hazard system and Cloud Transformation Algorithm (CTA) in multivariate frequency distribution derivation, the MPCA, CTA and Copulas function were innovatively introduced to construct drought hazard comprehensive evaluation model (CTCF) aiming to conduct historical variation characteristic exploration and future drought hazard evolution trend prediction analysis. And eventually, the proposed CTCF model was further verified through its application in Anhui Province, China, and the results revealed that, (1) the frequency curve fitting result of drought hazard indicators basing on CTCF approach was effective, which had lower calculation error of RMSE as compared to the corresponding calculation results utilizing traditional normal distribution hypothesis. (2) light-type drought hazard event (Grade II) is the dominant type for the entire provincial area in the future, and the overall occurring probability of future drought hazard events will present gradually declining trend from north to south. The above results had better consistent variation properties with regional historical observed statistical data series of drought disaster system, which indicates that the proposed CTCF model is reasonable in the application of drought hazard comprehensive evaluation field, and will also be beneficial for the implement of drought disaster precaution strategies and construction of ecological environment.

Preface

Welcoming Speech by Vice Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah Greetings,I take this opportunity to congratulate all presenters and participants of this seminar. Well done for the organizing committee of Seminar Bencana Alam 2019 who work hard to make this seminar a success.Malaysia has been struck with air pollution due to cross-border haze from forest fire incidents. This has increased the rate of Air Pollution Index to an alarming level. In addition to forest burning, natural disasters that often occur in Malaysia such as floods, earthquakes, landslides and tropical storms also affect the lives of residents and also damage the environment. As such, proactive and sustainable measures need to be taken to ensure the impact of this natural disaster can be reduced to a minimum level.Cooperation from various parties and all levels of society is also very necessary to apply awareness and sensitivity to the importance of natural disaster management. In conjunction with IR4.0, Universiti Malaysia Sabah as one of the local universities in Malaysia has taken an initiative to move forward to meet the challenges of IR4.0. Various approaches in the form of technology and intelligent automation systems such as the use of information technology (IT), digital revolution, artificial intelligence (AI), automation robotics technology, data storage and internet technology can be fully used especially when dealing with natural disaster issues. It is hoped that through the organization of the Seminar Bencana Alam 2019, the existing disaster risk management system may be developed and provide proactive and accurate information to the public.List of Committees are available in this Pdf.

The COVID-19 pandemic response and its impact on post-corona health emergency and disaster risk management in Italy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted societies, influencing countries' Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (H-EDRM) systems. By taking Italy as a case study, this research aimed to investigate the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the changes made to the existing H-EDRM system, with an emphasis on human resources, health service delivery, and logistics and the forward-looking strategies for the next health emergencies and disasters. We performed a retrospective observational case study using qualitative methodology. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed considering the World Health Organization (WHO) H-EDRM framework. Multiple interviewees were selected to obtain a holistic perspective on the Italian response to COVID-19. Stakeholders from five different sectors (policy-making, hospital, primary care, third sector, lay community) from three of the most impacted Italian regions (Piemonte, Lombardia, and Veneto) were interviewed, for a total of 15 respondents. Results on human resources revolved around the following main themes: personnel, training, occupational health, and multidisciplinary work; results on health service delivery encompassed the following main themes: public health, hospital, and primary care systems; results on logistics dealt with the following themes: infrastructures, supplies, transports, and communication channels. Lessons learned stressed on the importance of considering pragmatic disaster preparedness strategies and the need for cultural and structural reforms. Stakeholders mentioned several implications for the post-pandemic H-EDRM system in Italy. Findings highlight that the interconnection of sectors is key in overcoming pandemic-related challenges and for future disaster preparedness. The implications for the Italian H-EDRM system can inform advancements in disaster management in Italy and beyond.

Japan’s Culture of Prevention: How Bosai Culture Combines Cultural Heritage with State-of-the-Art Disaster Risk Management Systems

Due to its geographical location, Japan is exposed to typhoons, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes. Since time immemorial, the survival of the Japanese people has depended on their ability to prepare for disasters, learn from those painful experiences, and transmit that knowledge from generation to generation as part of their cultural heritage. These elements combined have resulted in a unique Culture of Prevention, known in Japanese as “bosai culture”, encompassing technical measures and requirements, laws, and a strong civic culture that enables the country to face and learn from disasters. Exploring the roots of the Japanese Culture of Prevention by conducting a critical literature review, this article aims to improve our understanding of the Japanese perspective on Disaster Risk Reduction strategies and actions, by focusing on the cultural and religious influences, as well as on the solid national sense of belonging, embedded in the Japanese Disaster Risk Management system.

Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study from Italy

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted societies, influencing countries’ Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (H-EDRM) systems. By taking Italy as a case study, this research aimed to investigate the response to the pandemic focusing on challenges, response strategies, lessons learned and implications for H-EDRM, with an emphasis on health workforce, health services delivery and logistics. Methods This was a retrospective observational study using qualitative methodology. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed according to the H-EDRM framework. Multiple interviewees were selected to obtain a holistic perspective on the Italian pandemic response. Stakeholders from five sectors (policymaking, hospital, primary care, third sector, lay community) from three of the most impacted Italian regions (Piemonte, Lombardia, Veneto) were interviewed, reaching 15 interviewees in total. Results With regard to human resources, the main themes concerned the shortage of personnel, inadequate training, poor occupational health, and lack of multidisciplinarity. Regarding health services delivery, interviewees reported weakness of public health, hospital, and primary care systems. With regard to logistics, the following themes emerged: inadequate infrastructures, shortage of supplies, issues with transportation systems, and weak communication channels. Lessons learned stressed the importance of considering pragmatic disaster preparedness and the need for cultural and structural reforms. Conclusions Implications that emerged from this study can inform advancements in disaster management in Italy. Acknowledgments: This study was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Public Health and Health Policy, Hiroshima University, Japan and funded by the World Health Organization Kobe Centre for Health Development (WKC-HEDRM-K21001). *ALC and EP are both first authors Key messages • Findings show that great interconnection of sectors is key in overcoming challenges and for future disaster preparedness. • Lessons learned contribute to translating the H-EDRM precepts into practice.

Disaster risk management system in Vietnam: progress and challenges

BackgroundVietnam is one of the countries most impacted by disasters in Asia- Pacific. Floods, droughts and storms are the most common catastrophes. These risks endanger millions of lives and create massive financial and production losses. ObjectiveThis study aims at reviewing the disaster risk management (DRM) system in Vietnam, identifying progress and challenges of this system, hence making recommendations for improving the system for better responding with natural hazards. MethodThe study uses PSR model (Pressure- State- Response) in combination with DRM management framework by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to evaluate DRM system in Vietnam with 5 aspects: (i) DRM regulatory framework (ii) DRM organization (iii) DRM financial resources (iv) DRM integration in to plans at central and local levels (v) Disaster warning and education. The data collection consists of reviewing existing literature and interviewing key informants in DRM. ResultsDisasters is a serious threat to Vietnam’s socio economic development. To respond, Vietnam has made many efforts including develop a comprehensive legal framework for DRM which Law on Disaster Prevention and Control takes the key role. Vietnam has also established a fairly well organized DRM system from the central to local levels. The financial sources for DRM are arranged from State budget and sources outside State budget. Vietnam has developed major policies for integrating DRM into development plans centrally and locally. The disaster information and warning system is being modernized with the integration of disaster education in training programs. Challenges in DRM are identified, including institutional, financial and information issues. In addition, Vietnam is facing the increase of disasters and extreme climate events due to climate change. Covid 19 and its socio-economic consequences also lead to a lack of resources for DRM. Economic development moreover results in the decline of ecosystem-based disaster mitigation works and put more pressures on DRM. RecommendationsIn the future, Vietnam should develop an information-sharing network between ministries, sectors, localities and NGOs to support the policy formulation process and enhance the coordination of multi-stakeholders. The country should also establish more proper funding allocation mechanisms to fulfill DRM’s demands, especially for disaster preparedness and reconstruction phases.

Devastating Geohazards and Disaster Risk Management System in Cameroon

Cameroon is vulnerable to natural hazards which are exacerbated by encroachment of the inhabitants into risk zones. When these geohazards occur, they tend to be disastrous in most case leaving the victims desperate. This research is aimed at investigating the devastating geohazards that occurred in Cameroon and evaluate the government response system. Using data was generated through a review of Disaster Risk Reduction literature and policy documents from the government, research institutions, academic publications and internet sources, we were able to present a concise account of the typology and of the functionality of geohazards management systems in Cameroon. The findings reveal that volcanic, landslide and floods are the most devastating geohazards in Cameroon accounting for 27%, 25% and 12% of total deaths respectively. Some of these devasting events include volcanic (Nyos 1986, 1746 deaths and Monoun 1984, 37 deaths), landslides (Limbe 2001, 24 deaths, Magba 2003, 22 deaths, Ngouache 2019, 42 deaths) and floods (Douala 2020, 4 deaths). The frequency of landslide and floods has increase in recent decades and most of the affected are not resilient to these disasters. The Disaster risk management system in Cameroon is active and not proactive and very slow in implementation. The system is highly bureaucratic and not flexible. Critical decisions are taken only at the top level and takes time to reach those to implement in the field consequently. From the finding of this paper it is primordial to empower the councils and create a comprehensive disaster management system in Cameroon, which shall involve the mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery phases.

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). 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The influence of international agreements on disaster risk reduction

Global frameworks established in 2015 – including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Paris Agreement – provide a comprehensive foundation for states to improve disaster risk management. However, the degree to which these frameworks are driving necessary changes to public policies and practices for disaster risk reduction remains questionable. This article explores the influence of these frameworks on flood and drought risk management in two federal states, Canada and Australia, and from the perspective of government practitioners. Through two Delphi studies and semi-structured interviews, the research found that although international agreements are considered valuable to the maturation of disaster risk management principles and practices, their perceived application in flood and drought risk management has been more limited. Government practitioners warn that using these frameworks to drive meaningful change to disaster risk management systems and structures risks further politicizing the field because of existing complex and deeply entrenched socio-political infrastructures. The findings highlight the fact that the ability of these global frameworks to facilitate meaningful changes toward more equitable, resilient, and sustainable disaster risk management is challenged not only by the institutional design of these agreements, but by resistant institutional structures that are embedded across levels of governance.

Evaluating the usefulness of VGI from Waze for the reporting of flash floods

Using volunteered geographic information (VGI) to supplement disaster risk management systems, including forecasting, risk assessment, and disaster recovery, is increasingly popular. This attention is driven by difficulties in detection and characterization of hazards, as well as the rise of VGI appropriate for characterizing specific forms of risk. Flash-flood historical records, especially those that are impact-based, are not comprehensive, leading to additional barriers for flash-flood research and applications. In this paper we develop a method for associating VGI flood reporting clusters against authoritative data. Using Hurricane Harvey as a case study, VGI reports are assimilated into a spatial analytic framework that derives spatial and temporal clustering parameters supported by associations between Waze’s community-driven emergency operations center and authoritative reports. These parameters are then applied to find previously unreported likely flash flood-events. This study improves the understanding of the distribution of flash flooding during Hurricane Harvey and shows potential application to events in other areas where Waze data and reporting from official sources, such as the National Weather Service, are available.

A review of low-carbon adaptation model to climate change in rural farming households

Climate change is one of the greatest environmental issues of our time and involves complex interactions and changing likelihoods of diverse impacts. Individuals, communities and organizations have, through time, developed adaptive capacities to climate change impacts. This paper assesses by reviewing existing literature on the adaptation of the low carbon model to climate change by rural farming households in developing countries. It has identified the social, economic and environmental impacts of climate change from a vast review of the literature. The commonly used low carbon assessment models, from rural farming household’s point of view, have been identified as agricultural and economic models. It was found that farming practices were common and easy used adaptation models to low carbon situations. It was further indicated that complex economic models – partial equilibrium and general equilibrium - were used to assess the efficiency of adaptation options. Marker failures, policy failures and climate uncertainties were the main barriers to the low carbon adaption model. Although not easy, some remedies for adaptation barriers have been identified as policy reforms, government intervention, introducing various adaptation approaches such as early warning systems, disaster risk management, climate-smart agriculture and insurance systems.

Mainstreaming forecast based action into national disaster risk management systems: experience from drought risk management in Kenya

ABSTRACT Drought and food security crises heighten risks to lives and livelihoods in East Africa. In recent years, a shift towards acting in advance of such events has gained momentum, notably among the humanitarian and development community. This shift is premised on tools that link climate forecasts with pre-agreed actions and funding, known as Forecast-based Action (FbA), or anticipatory action more widely. While FbA approaches have been developed by a number of humanitarian agencies, the key to scaling-up is mainstreaming these approaches into national risk management systems. This paper addresses this gap in the context of drought risk management in Kenya. We analyse Kenya's current drought management system to assess the potential usability of climate forecast information within the existing system, and outline steps towards improved usability of climate information. Further, we note the critical importance of enabling institutions and reliable financing to ensure that information can be consistently used to trigger early action. We discuss the implications of this for scaling-up FbA into national risk management systems.

When Disaster Risk Management Systems Fail: The Case of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani District, Zimbabwe

On 14 March 2019, Zimbabwe was hit by Cyclone Idai, leaving immeasurable destruction of unprecedented magnitude in its wake. In Chimanimani District, many lives were lost, many people were reported missing, and others were displaced. The question that immediately comes to mind is: Was the country prepared to manage the Cyclone Idai disaster? Reflecting on the community experiences, the purpose of this research was to interrogate the strength of the disaster risk reduction legislation and institutions in Zimbabwe in the face of meteorological hazards. The research also evaluated the extent of the impact Cyclone Idai had on the Chimanimani communities and the factors that increased the vulnerability to the cyclone. A mixed method approach that involved 1180 participants was used. The study found that disaster risk management legislation and institutions in Zimbabwe are weak. Cyclone Idai resulted in the loss of many human lives, loss of livelihoods, and massive damage to infrastructure. The cyclone exposed capacity and policy gaps in Zimbabwe’s disaster risk management system. The study makes a number of recommendations, including strengthening disaster legislation and policy, and disaster risk governance. Given the communities’ response to the disaster occurrence, the study also recommends strengthening social capital.