Disaster Risk Reduction Framework Research Articles

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.

Climate-Related Vulnerability Assessment Toward Disaster Risk Reduction: Insight from Pakistan

Abstract Globally, climate-related disasters (CRDs) have become a common phenomenon in the last few decades, increasing vulnerability and causing disaster mortality. To manage disaster risk, the global Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction (SFDRR) provides a solid action plan for disaster risk reduction (DRR) considering all the dimensions of vulnerability. However, countries are still less receptive at the local level to adopting the SFDRR. Also, the global research community did not explore vulnerability features based on the Sendai Framework nor integrated such features with the four priorities of SFDRR. Based on the case of Pakistan, this study seeks to bridge the gap through three objectives. The first objective of the study is to identify the vulnerability features cited in the SFDRR. In addition, the research aims to develop a new vulnerability model by integrating SFDRR’s four priorities. As a second objective, it is intended to develop a decision support framework for ranking and evaluating each of the SFDRR priority action areas under local conditions. A third objective is to assess the impact of climate-induced environmental, socioeconomic and political vulnerabilities on climate-driven mortality. To meet these three different objectives, the authors have adopted a multi-method approach by using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and binary logistic regression method (BLRM). Based on the assessment, the authors suggested some policy implications.

Households’ level considerations in the vulnerability to potential learning loss among school children in Ghana

Generally, most children became vulnerable to potential learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, empirical evidence on households as vulnerability factor to children’s potential learning loss in Ghana does not exist to guide policy decisions and scholarly discourse. Through a national household survey underpinned by a disaster risk reduction framework, this paper examines the vulnerability of Ghanaian school children to perceived learning loss during the COVID-9 pandemic school closures. The findings of this study indicate that household efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the risk of potential learning loss among school children varied disproportionately across wealth quintiles and geographic locations. It is, however, revealing that about 29% of households in the richest wealth quintiles did not take deliberate actions to mitigate the risk of potential learning loss among their children. Against these revealing findings, we conclude that households’ decisions to support their children’s learning during the pandemic-induced school closures may not be based on economic reasons alone. Consistent with this finding, we recommend the exploration of additional factors and dynamics of understanding potential and perceived learning outcomes.

Enhancement of disaster preparedness: Approaches of place attachment and behavior to “build back better” mosque as tsunami evacuation building in Banda Aceh City, Indonesia

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 emphasizes the importance of learning from experiences to strengthen preparedness and “Build Back Better” through risk reduction in the phases of recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. On December 26, 2004, Aceh Province in Indonesia was affected by an earthquake and tsunami that caused infrastructure damage and resulted in the death of 160,000–200,000 people. Mc. Caughey simulation (2017) showed that 50% of respondents in Banda Aceh, preferred mosques as tsunami evacuation sites in the future. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the function of mosques as tsunami evacuation buildings through a community-based approach. The method involved participatory observation and in-depth interviews, guided by the principles of Sense of Place Attachment and Behavior Theory. The results showed that the Baitul Musyahadah Mosque satisfied the criteria for serving as a tsunami evacuation facility. A significant proportion of the community (38%) selected mosques as their preferred evacuation sites, considering factors such as ease of horizontal access (22%), ease of vertical access (22%), the call to prayer (12%), and the available space (4%). The analysis of sociodemographic factors indicated that individuals aged 20–30 expressed attachment towards the physical aesthetics of the mosques, while those aged 31–50 exhibited attachment towards the symbolic significance. This study recommended integrating the design concept of mosques to accommodate worship activities and emergency evacuation, thereby contributing to national and international endeavors aimed at mitigating tsunami risks.

Advancing Resilience and Fostering Sustainable Development through Strategic Investments in Cutting-Edge Technology and Innovative Methodologies for Disaster Risk Reduction: Japan Experiences

This research paper explores Japan's experiences in advancing resilience and fostering sustainable development through strategic investments in cutting-edge technology and innovative methodologies for disaster risk reduction. Japan, a country prone to natural disasters, has developed a comprehensive approach that encompasses strong governance, continuous learning, community empowerment, public awareness, and international collaboration. Through a mixed-method research methodology incorporating qualitative and quantitative analyses, this study examines Japan's robust disaster risk reduction framework and the role of cutting-edge technology in mitigating the impacts of hazards. The findings highlight Japan's multi-hazard approach, stringent building codes, and resilient infrastructure, which have significantly reduced disaster risks. The integration of innovative methodologies, such as community empowerment and early recovery planning, has fostered resilience at the grassroots level. Furthermore, the research showcases Japan's use of advanced technologies including early warning systems, remote sensing, and geospatial technologies. The lessons learned from Japan's experiences provide valuable insights for countries seeking to enhance their disaster risk reduction efforts and promote sustainable development. By investing in cutting-edge technology and adopting innovative methodologies, countries can effectively reduce disaster risks, build resilience, and foster sustainable development in the face of evolving challenges and hazards.

Towards a Regenerative Role of Cultural Heritage in Climate Resilience; the Case of the Indian Water Infrastructure Heritage

Despite great efforts in facing climate change challenges—especially by the UN Paris Agreement, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and companion documents (Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the New Urban Agenda)—generally speaking, current policies on climate change and Disaster Risk Reduction at both national and international levels have not yet been centrally positioned in respective plans for heritage, and cultural heritage still does not have a central role in such policies. The main aim of this paper is to explore the culture/cultural heritage’s complex interrelationship with climate change by delving into critical issues/gaps and recommendatory encounters of heritage framework in climate change framework and vice versa at the international level and an example in India. Accordingly, this paper showcases a type of Indian Water Infrastructure Heritage; Stepwells, traditional underground water management systems in arid western India which, unfortunately, with modernization, lost their original function and hence, nowadays, most are abandoned. Thus, by the situational analysis of such an Indian urban-scale type of heritage, this paper concludes with critical reflections on the necessity of the systemic relationship among sustainability, conservation, and development, especially in practice and the need to recall the notion of sustainability again.

How Does the Central Government Make a Remark in the International Arena of Disaster Risk Reduction? Focusing on the Frequency of Statement Publication at the UN Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

This study aims to clarify the attitudes of each member state on disaster risk reduction (DRR), and the issues that need to be addressed in the international arena of DRR, to move forward with the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR). To this end, we focused on the last three United Nations meetings of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) after the agreement on the SFDRR and analyzed the frequency of publication of official statements by each member state. In addition, the status of these official statements was analyzed in terms of the actual geographical distribution of disaster risk. We clarified that (1) the GPDRR is not necessarily aware of the situation and opinions of all member states; (2) the trends between the frequency of official statement publication and the actual amount of risk are not always closely related; (3) the member states in the Asian and Pacific Ocean region were more active in presenting official statements than those of other continents; in other words, the attitudes of Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and some African member states, which also have high disaster risks, were shared less frequently in the international arena; (4) some least-developed member states are actively making official statements and expressing their intentions despite the limited human and financial resources. The results of this study would be helpful for member states that have not yet made official statements in the past GPDRR to advance their official statement publication and situations in the international arena.

Perspectives of racialized immigrant communities on adaptability to climate disasters following the UN Roadmap for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030

AbstractClimate Change‐induced risk events intensify vulnerability and disproportionately affect regions and racialized immigrant communities. Understanding the multiple dimensions of disaster and risk, especially how these are embedded in a broader social‐political context, and translated into risk management strategies, have now been identified as priority areas under Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 and UN Research Roadmap for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. Drawing on a relational intersectional approach, this study explores the meanings of climate change disasters and risk reduction strategies from a racialized immigrant community's (i.e., Bangladeshi‐Canadian) lived experiences in Calgary, Canada. From our relational research, we learned that extreme climate events (such as forest fires/wildfires, heat waves, flash floods, severe colds, hailstorms, etc.) are the most common stressors unevenly impacting the household economy, physical health, and mental and psychological wellbeing of the racialized immigrant community in Calgary. The community's compounded vulnerability to disaster risks is further aggravated due to their intersectional positionality and structural inequality (systematic marginalization) rooted in the lack of explicit anti‐racist policy guidelines in Canada. The community members adapt diverse strategies (mostly reactive) based on their family income, severity and frequency of the exposure to risks, social support system, geographic location (residence), cultural practices, and involvement with community networks. While proposing solutions, they suggested that community‐engaged tailored disaster intervention strategy could play an instrumental role in addressing social vulnerability (determinants) and enhancing adaptive capacity at the local level. Moreover, this study calls for a more holistic account of the differential vulnerability context to better understand the structural root causes and emphasizes that upscaling land‐based practices and knowledge transmission, ensuring deliberate participation of visible minorities, fostering collective action and integrating local community associations into all stages of disaster management should be the priority for the state agencies to support long‐term resilience.

Improving Disaster Preparedness Services for People with Disabilities

Lack of disaster preparedness has contributed to many disaster victims, especially people with disabilities, who are often neglected in making disaster risk reduction plans. In light of the recent World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) in Sendai, Japan, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015-2030, which establishes new priorities for disaster risk reduction over the next 15 years, this issue has become a hot topic since then. This paper aims to contribute ideas to the Indonesian government in reforming and improving disaster preparedness services for people with disabilities based on successful theories, research, and practices developed in several countries. Through reviewing literature studies related to the issue and interviewing relevant informants in Indonesia, both data sources coped with six strategies that may contribute to improving disaster preparedness for disabled individuals. The strategies as the results of this study are intended to be used as reference material, particularly by the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), in order to aid in the creation of a framework to better comprehend the communication, mobilization, transportation, and medical requirements of people with disabilities in the context of preparing disaster preparedness program scenarios.

Territorial Digital Twins: A key for increasing the community resilience of fragile mountain inner territories?

AbstractAreas suffering territorial imbalances are at risk, as climate change and inherent social‐spatial vulnerabilities bring uncertainty over their capacity to achieve sustainable development. To enable policy‐makers' vision for them, the paper proposes adopting digitally‐enhanced disaster risk reduction practices which promote civic engagement and evidence‐based decision‐making. The study introduces the concept of Territorial Digital Twins (TDTs) demonstrating the potential benefits of networking distributed information resources and enabling their integration in two paradigmatic Italian inner mountain areas, which are linked to different priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (SFDRR). This contribution argues the importance of complementing the technical approach with the social perspective in the development of TDTs oriented at increasing the community resilience of territorially imbalanced areas. It then illustrates the usefulness of exploiting TDTs (from photogrammetry, GIS mapping, Space Syntax analysis) to overcome the barriers to the SFDRR, and enable its effective implementation in localities.

Application of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Food Security During Flood Disaster in Malaysia: A Narrative Review

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) plays essential roles in ensuring food security to avoid adverse social, economic and financial implications to the disaster victims. This article aims to review existing DRR strategies in food security during flood disasters and recommend strategies that can be adapted into policies in Malaysia according to the Sendai Framework. Sendai Framework provides comprehensive, globally recognized priority themes in DRR while highlighting governmental and stakeholders’ responsibility. A literature review was carried out by searching available published literatures from online databases and selected information used in this review is taken from articles, journals, reports, national reports, news, and thesis regarding the topic from November 2021 to January 2022. This review revealed that DRR strategies of food security during flood disasters in Malaysia lack one out of 14 work areas in four priorities in the Sendai Framework, which is the national-level risk and vulnerability assessment system and tools. This article proposed 19 recommendations to improve eight work areas across all four priority areas to enhance national food security during flood disasters.

Cultural Heritage Protection from Disaster Impacts: A Review of Global Disaster Risk Reduction Frameworks

Cultural heritage inheritance was a valuable asset passed down through many centuries. Nevertheless, the assets were in significant danger of suffering damage in the case of a disaster, which might have been caused by either naturally occurring or man-made risks. The fragility of the cultural heritage has not yet received sufficient protection from the massive disaster risk management that is being done all over the world, despite the frequency of natural disasters growing because of climate change. This paper aims to investigate whether or not the current methods of disaster risk reduction (DRR) are sufficient to protect cultural assets. The existing gap in the improvement of the inclusion of cultural heritage protection into the current disaster risk management was identified through a comparative study of already extant worldwide DRR frameworks. The protection of cultural assets receives less priority throughout the many components of the disaster risk management plan, according to an analysis of multiple DRR frameworks, including the most recent Sendai Framework 2015-2030.

Disaster risk analysis of technological failure of industrial estate: a case study

The world has agreed on reducing disaster risks through Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015–2030. Efforts to reduce disaster risks are one way to attain Sustainable Development Goals related to "sustainable cities and communities." The first points of disaster risk reduction priorities inscribed in the SFDRR 2015–2030 incorporate disaster risk studies. While studies on natural disaster risks have been widely conducted, non-natural (manmade) disaster risk studies are relatively scant, parti­cularly for technological failure disasters. In this paper, the author investigates the levels of technological failure disaster risks in Gresik Regency, Indonesia, one of the National Strategic Areas in East Java Province. This study employs a disaster risk analysis encompassing aspects of hazard and vulnerability through map overlays with the help of a Geo­graphical Information System (GIS) to identify areas with risks of techno­logical failure. Results illustrate that a high risk is predominantly spread in areas with high hazards, which is 60 m radius of the industrial area. The findings in this study may help shed light on the hazards that may arise due to technological failures that span not only around the source of hazard, i.e., the industrial areas, but also beyond them, and also conclude that the higher the disaster risk is, the higher the vulnerability of an area will be.

Citizen Science for Disaster Risk Governance: Towards a Participative Seismological Monitoring of the Mayotte Volcanic Crisis

The United Nations (UN) Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 aims to mitigate natural disasters, specifically in developing regions. It promotes the adoption of people-centered disaster risk reduction approaches. Hence, citizen science represents an interesting tool to engage populations in the mitigation of disaster risk, through data collection and analysis, and in the dissemination of scientific and safety information. Herein, we evaluate the potential and feasibility of a citizen science project on the island of Mayotte (in the Mozambique Channel). Mayotte has been experiencing an unexpected volcano-seismic crisis since 2018, which has generated strong anxiety in the population. To address this, we have developed a citizen seismology program to engage Mayotte’s inhabitants in seismic data processing. First, we conducted an initial test of our protocol to identify seismic events with a set of university students. We then conducted 15 interviews with members of local administrations and associations to assess the potential for engaging the general population in this project. The results show that we are able to collect reliable data from citizens with non-professional backgrounds using the protocol designed in the project. We also show a strong demand for scientific information from Mayotte’s inhabitants, associated with a robust trust in science and scientists, despite the circulation of alternative explanations for the seismicity among the population. Based on these results, our citizen science project could be positively received by Mayotte’s inhabitants, if advertised adequately. Finally, we discuss the value of these results for disaster risk reduction in vulnerable territories.

Comprehensive landslide susceptibility map of Central Asia

Abstract. Central Asia is an area characterized by complex tectonics and active deformation; the related seismic activity controls the earthquake hazard level that, due to the occurrence of secondary and tertiary effects, also has direct implications for the hazard related to mass movements such as landslides, which are responsible for an extensive number of casualties every year. Climatically, this region is characterized by strong rainfall gradient contrasts due to the diversity of climate and vegetation zones. The region is drained by large, partly snow- and glacier-fed rivers that cross or terminate in arid forelands; therefore, it is also affected by a significant river flood hazard, mainly in spring and summer seasons. The challenge posed by the combination of different hazards can only be tackled by considering a multi-hazard approach harmonized among the different countries, in agreement with the requirements of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. This work was carried out within the framework of the Strengthening Financial Resilience and Accelerating Risk Reduction in Central Asia (SFRARR) project as part of a multi-hazard approach and is focused on the first landslide susceptibility analysis at a regional scale for Central Asia. To this aim the most detailed landslide inventories, covering both national and transboundary territories, were implemented in a random forest model, together with several independent variables. The proposed approach represents an innovation in terms of resolution (from 30 to 70 m) and extension of the analyzed area with respect to previous regional landslide susceptibility and hazard zonation models applied in Central Asia. The final aim was to provide a useful tool for land use planning and risk reduction strategies for landslide scientists, practitioners, and administrators.

Fostering Social Entrepreneurial Resilience: A Pathway towards Integrated Disaster Risk Management

Social entrepreneurship (SE) has gained recognition as a key driver of the economy significantly contributing to innovation and inclusive growth. It is increasingly seen as a practical and effective solution to address a range of physical, social, economic and environmental challenges. Its role has also been critical in groundbreaking innovations toward sustainable development. Disaster risk management (DRM) planning is crucial for building resilience in the entrepreneurial ecosystem as SEs are highly vulnerable to the impacts of disasters, particularly in absence of DRM planning. This study explores the impact of disasters on SE and argues for the need for integrating DRM approaches to enhance the resilience of SE in line with the priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. Despite India's strong performance in terms of supportive business start-up ecosystems, vulnerability to natural disasters and poor preparedness pose significant challenges to its development efforts. There is a need for greater attention to be paid to DRM planning in the SE sector in order to build resilience and ensure the long-term sustainability of SE initiatives.

An Earth Observation Framework in Service of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (SFDRR) proposed seven targets comprising 38 quantified indicators and various sub-indicators to monitor the progress of disaster risk and loss reduction efforts. However, challenges persist regarding the availability of disaster-related data and the required resources to address data gaps. A promising way to address this issue is the utilization of Earth observation (EO). In this study, we proposed an EO-based disaster evaluation framework in service of the SFDRR and applied it to the context of tropical cyclones (TCs). We first investigated the potential of EO in supporting the SFDRR indicators, and we then decoupled those EO-supported indicators into essential variables (EVs) based on regional disaster system theory (RDST) and the TC disaster chain. We established a mapping relationship between the measurement requirements of EVs and the capabilities of EO on Google Earth Engine (GEE). An end-to-end framework that utilizes EO to evaluate the SFDRR indicators was finally established. The results showed that the SFDRR contains 75 indicators, among which 18.7% and 20.0% of those indicators can be directly and indirectly supported by EO, respectively, indicating the significant role of EO for the SFDRR. We provided four EV classes with nine EVs derived from the EO-supported indicators in the proposed framework, along with available EO data and methods. Our proposed framework demonstrates that EO has an important contribution to supporting the implementation of the SFDRR, and that it provides effective evaluation solutions.

A redução de risco de desastres, a agenda dos Objetivos Sustentáveis e os princípios do SUS, no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the connections between the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the principles of Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) in the context of the public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential implications for population health. This qualitative, cross-sectional, exploratory study collected data from health professionals with experience in emergency and disaster risk management and treatment practices, which were then processed using the Iramuteq software for lexical analysis. The textual corpus was presented through a descending hierarchical classification that resulted in seven classes grouped into three categories: disaster response in the context of SUS; prevention of future disaster risks; and preparedness and recovery actions based on the Sendai Framework and the SDGs. The study highlighted aspects related to the direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges related to disaster risk reduction as advocated by the Sendai Framework, emphasizing the need to strengthen the culture of safety and sustainability within the SUS, which aligns with the ODS and social determinants of health.

Disaster risk reduction, the Sustainable Goals agenda and the principles of the SUS, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

The aim of this study was to analyze the connections between the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the principles of Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS) in the context of the public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential implications for population health. This qualitative, cross-sectional, exploratory study collected data from health professionals with experience in emergency and disaster risk management and treatment practices, which were then processed using the Iramuteq software for lexical analysis. The textual corpus was presented through a descending hierarchical classification that resulted in seven classes grouped into three categories: disaster response in the context of SUS; prevention of future disaster risks; and preparedness and recovery actions based on the Sendai Framework and the SDGs. The study highlighted aspects related to the direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges related to disaster risk reduction as advocated by the Sendai Framework, emphasizing the need to strengthen the culture of safety and sustainability within the SUS, which aligns with the ODS and social determinants of health.

The Climate-Proof Planning towards the Ecological Transition: Isola Sacra—Fiumicino (Italy) between Flood Risk and Urban Development Prospectives

The increasing concentration of people and economic activities in urban areas intensifies the pressure on the urban environment and hastens environmental degradation processes. Therefore, addressing the impact of climate change on cities is an urgent matter that demands the immediate attention of policymakers, researchers, and the general public, not only for its environmental but also socioeconomic ramifications. Within this framework, the research focuses on the effects of climate change on coastal cities and aims to define guidelines for the innovation of urban planning tools from a climate-proof perspective. Specifically, the study analyses the effects of two phenomena related to climate change: heavy rainfall, river overflow, and sea-level rise, to establish a replicable approach for updating the documents that constitute the cognitive framework of the Local Urban Plan through the preparation of a multi-risk map (that considers different time horizons) and consequently the prescriptive apparatus of the Plan through the definition of a toolkit of site-specific design actions oriented towards urban adaptation. The proposed methodology is tested on the case study of Isola Sacra, Fiumicino (Italy), and is intended to apply to other territorial contexts. The aim of this study, in accordance with the principles of the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) framework, is to furnish theoretical-methodological and operational guidelines to translate risk knowledge, despite its limitations due to variables and uncertainties in measurements, into effective urban adaptation measures.