Risk Reduction Management Research Articles

Measuring Livelihood Resilience in Multi-Hazard Regions: A Case Study of the Khuzestan Province in the Persian Gulf Coast

Assessing community-level resilience and implementing strategies to enhance it are essential for maintaining fundamental community functions, coping with and mitigating risks, effectively reducing hazards, and promoting sustainable regional development. Accordingly, this study aimed to measure hazard exposure and livelihood resilience in the counties of Khuzestan Province. Hazard exposure to earthquakes, flooding, and drought was evaluated using decision-making techniques within a geographic information system (GIS). Additionally, a multi-criteria decision-making approach incorporating eight indicators was employed to calculate the integrated livelihood resilience indicator for the counties. The results indicated that the northern and northeastern counties exhibit the highest potential for flooding and earthquake hazards, whereas the southern and southwestern counties are most vulnerable to flooding and drought. Moreover, Dezful, Shadegan, and Ahvaz counties demonstrated the highest levels of livelihood resilience, while Lali, Haftkel, and Andika counties exhibited the lowest levels. Assessing hazard exposure and livelihood resilience represents critical steps in risk reduction management programs and initiatives. Evaluating community-level livelihood resilience in multi-hazard areas is a vital component in advancing the global objectives of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sustainable Development Goals.

An Analysis of the Disaster Management Program of Selected Higher Education Institutions in Cavite, Philippines: Towards the Development of a Disaster Risk Reduction Management Model for Schools

This study sought to analyze the Disaster Management Program of selected Higher Education Institution in Cavite to develop a Risk Reduction Management Model for Schools. A mixed method research design specifically triangulation using validating quantitative data was utilized in this study. Seven Higher Education Institutions in Cavite, Philippines were involved.

Disaster Safe Education Unit Program As An Effort To Reduce Disaster Risk In School

Various sectors experienced losses as a result of the disaster. Education is one sector that is badly affected by disasters, especially when disasters occur during school hours. Students, who are the country's future assets, are the biggest victims. In addition, accidents can cause damage to the learning process, school documents, and school facilities. For this reason, disaster risk reduction management must be in place. One way to do this is by providing education about disaster risk reduction. This research uses a qualitative approach, which means describing and explaining what schools are doing to reduce disaster risk by implementing a disaster-safe education unit program. Steps to describe and explain data by referring to expert opinions. This study shows that the Disaster Safe Education Unit (SPAB) program is very important to implement in schools because it can increase the school community's understanding of matters related to disasters. It is hoped that the implementation of the SPAB program will enable schools to remain safe and comfortable and increase students' understanding of how to deal with disasters

Seismicity and fractal analysis in Aswan region, southern Egypt

Seismic activity in Aswan is influenced by the complex interactions of tectonic plates, the accumulation of stress, and the presence of geological fault systems. It revealed that epicenters are well distributed along four fault segments in a conjugate pattern, indicating a prominent E-W compressional stress. This research aims to explore the characteristics of seismicity and seismotectonics, with a focus on assessing their implications for risk reduction and disaster management in this densely populated region. A data review from the Egyptian National Seismological Network (ENSN) identified 464 earthquakes occurred between 2000 and 2021, with local magnitudes ranging from 0.3 to 4.4, and depths up to 25 km. The calculated Gutenberg-Richter b-value is approximately 0.87 ± 0.05, indicating a gradual stress accumulation. The current analysis shows a more consistent level of moderate seismic activity, unlike previous studies in Aswan region that reported a wide range of b-values from 0.554 to 1.07. This suggests that while earlier research captured a wider range of seismic behaviors, recent data indicates a stabilization in earthquake frequency and intensity. Additionally, the fractal dimension (Dc) calculated at 1.57 ± 0.04 shows an intermediate level of complexity and reflecting a clustering pattern of earthquakes. The variations in the b-value with different magnitudes and depths signify the involvement of active smaller faults, responsible for earthquakes up to magnitude 2.2, which then transition to fractured zones inducing earthquakes up to magnitude 2.5. This transition is followed by a decline in seismic activity, indicating regions that are potentially more likely to experience larger earthquakes. Moreover, stress disparities at various depths contribute to smaller earthquakes within the 5–10 km depth range. Return period analysis suggests that the earthquakes of magnitude 3.7 or higher are expected to occur approximately once every decade in Aswan. These findings are of utmost importance for earthquake risk reduction, hazard assessment, and the sustainable development of Aswan area.

2024 Winning Abstracts

FOREWORD Each year, PCNA invites nurses and other healthcare professionals to submit abstracts on the topic of cardiovascular risk reduction and disease management for presentation at the Cardiovascular Nursing Symposium. Abstracts fit into three categories: original research, innovative projects, or graduate capstone. In 2024, we proudly accepted a record-breaking 41 abstracts. The below 9 abstracts are from the top-scoring abstracts in each category, and the first and second-place showcase winners from applicable categories.

Impact of Non-performing Corporate Assets on Shareholder’s Equity and Return on the Application of AI and Block Chain Technologies

One of the major challenges for banks, NPAs have an adverse impact on profitability, stability, and shareholders' equity. The current study, therefore, is an attempt to explore the impact of NPAs on shareholders' equity and returns, with special emphasis on the application of AI and block chain technologies as innovative solutions to the problem. It considers takaful principles in examining Fintech Corporations characterized by high NPAs and focuses on the main external and internal factors behind NPAs high interest rates, inadequate monitoring, natural calamities, willful defaults, recession, and unhealthy competition. The study uses AI-based predictive analytics to project potential NPAs and proactive measures in enhancing asset management processes. Block chain helps to introduce transparency and security of financial transactions, providing an immutable ledger that will help in creating accurate record-keeping and auditability. Taken together, these technologies offer robust solutions for the management of NPAs, risk reduction, and financial stability. Results underline the huge impact AI and block chain can have in attenuating the negative impact of NPAs on shareholder equity and returns. These technologies, therefore, stabilize and make the banking sector more effective by addressing these interrelated external and internal factors. This research thus follows the journal's focus on the implementation and management of advanced information systems to improve socio-economic environments related to the potentials AI and block chain can bring into the process of financial management.

Predicting beach profiles with machine learning from offshore wave reflection spectra

Predicting beach profiles with machine learning from offshore wave reflection spectra

Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Students’ Awareness

Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Students’ Awareness

Combining machine learning (ML) and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) for disaster risk preparedness (DRP): Evidence from the poorest region of Luzon, Philippines

Combining machine learning (ML) and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) for disaster risk preparedness (DRP): Evidence from the poorest region of Luzon, Philippines

Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Malaysia: Overview of Costing and Incentives

This study addresses the critical challenges and initiatives in solid waste management (SWM) within the context of sustainable urban development in Malaysia. Acknowledging the complicated nature of SWM, the research explores municipal planning, transportation systems, water and sanitation, disaster risk reduction, education, and waste management. The literature review incorporates global perspectives, highlighting SWM hierarchies, institutional effectiveness, sustainability challenges in diverse regions, and practical guidelines. The Malaysian context underscores the nation's dedication to sustainable development, regulatory structures, and the growing expenses associated with SWM. The discussion highlights the limitations of landfills in Malaysia, urging consideration of alternative solutions like waste-to-energy plants. The study aims to investigate SWM practices, operators' costs, and government incentives in Malaysia, providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject for informed policymaking.

Awareness and Preparedness of Pupils Towards Disaster Risk Reduction Management: Basis for Intervention Program

Awareness and Preparedness of Pupils Towards Disaster Risk Reduction Management: Basis for Intervention Program

Ensemble‐based monthly to seasonal precipitation forecasting for Iran using a regional weather model

AbstractMonthly and seasonal precipitation forecasts can potentially assist disaster risk reduction and water resource management. The aim of this study is to assess the skill of an ensemble framework for monthly and seasonal precipitation forecasts over Iran by focusing on system design and model performance evaluation. The ensemble framework presented in this paper is based on a one‐way double‐nested model that uses Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) modelling system to downscale the second version of the NCEP Climate Forecast System (CFSv2). The performance is evaluated for October–April period at 1‐, 2‐ and 3‐month lead time. Multiple initial conditions, model parameters and physics are used to construct ensemble members. Using quantile mapping (QM) method, the outputs of the model are bias corrected. This methodology is applied for two periods: (i) climatology from 2000 to 2019 to evaluate the model's ability to precipitation forecast on a monthly and seasonal time scale; (ii) the forecast for 2020 to evaluate the model's performance operationally. The model evaluation is performed using the continuous (e.g., RMSE, r, MBE, NSE) and categorical (e.g., POD, FAR, PC, Heidke skill score) assessment metrics. We conclude that model outputs were improved by the QM bias correction method. According to results, the proposed ensemble framework can accurately predict amount of monthly and seasonal precipitation in Iran with an accuracy of 58 to 45% for lead‐1 to 3. For all three lead times, the averaged NSE, CC, MBE, and RMSE were 0.4, 0.56, −15.5, and 41.6, indicating that the framework has reasonable performance. Our results suggest that precipitation forecast accuracy varies with lead time, so the accuracy for lead‐1 is higher than lead‐2 and lead‐3. Additionally, the model's accuracy differs in various regions of the country and decreases in the spring. Using the approach for an operational case, it was found that the spatial features of precipitation predicted by the framework were close to those observed.

Disaster Management and Emergency Response: Improving Coordination and Preparedness

Disasters pose significant challenges to communities worldwide, necessitating effective disaster management and emergency response systems. This study aims to evaluate current practices in disaster management and emergency response, focusing on enhancing coordination and preparedness. Through qualitative analysis, including literature review and library research, this study assesses existing strategies and identifies areas for improvement. The findings underscore the importance of robust coordination mechanisms among various stakeholders involved in disaster management, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community groups. Moreover, the study highlights the critical role of preparedness measures in mitigating the impact of disasters and facilitating timely and effective response efforts. By synthesizing insights from existing literature and case studies, this research provides valuable recommendations for enhancing disaster management and emergency response frameworks. The results emphasize the need for comprehensive planning, capacity-building initiatives, and the integration of technology to strengthen resilience and response capabilities. Furthermore, the study underscores the significance of community engagement and public awareness campaigns in fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience. Overall, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on disaster risk reduction and emergency management by offering insights into improving coordination and preparedness strategies in the face of natural and man-made disasters.

Landslide and flood disaster: Causes and its responses

This paper attempts to overview the practices of human responses and adaptation strategies to natural hazards, particularly from landslides and floods. Moreover, it also aims to find out the appropriate response measures for developing countries like Nepal. This paper is prepared by the systematic reviews of related articles published in different peer-reviewed and scientific journals. Initially, the relevant papers were selected using keywords like hazards, disasters and human response to natural disasters. Then, the 64 papers were chosen and this paper was developed. There are different factors to determine the occurrence of disasters on the earth such as geology, topography, climate, topographic aspects, slope and biological activities. Processes and causes contributing to landslides can be put into three categories such as geological/morphological, physical, and human/anthropogenic causes. This study will be very helpful to entire developing countries in general and Nepal in particular as well as agencies and organizations involved in disaster risk reduction and disaster management. The impact of disasters is exacerbated by the lack of appropriate measures for mitigating their impacts. Hence, it will be the foundation for disaster risk reduction in Nepal.

Basic Concepts of Disaster Management and Hazard Risk Vulnerability Profile of Gurgaon Based on District Disaster Management Plan 2020

To understand the process of disaster risk reduction and disaster management it is very important to know the usage meaning and difference between the basic concepts of disaster management. While hazard refers to probable event that can occur, disaster is actual occurrence of the event. Any event becomes a disaster after occurrence when it has very wide impact in terms of loss of life, injury to people, damage and destruction of physical structures and environment. Similarly, vulnerability is situation it can be physical, social or economic but risk is calculation of probable impact of disaster. Capacity improvement can lower the vulnerability, lower the risk and lower the total impact of disaster. Capacity improvement by building strong structures and creating awareness among communities will help in building a resilient society to cope with disasters. In this paper we tried to understand the meaning of these basic concept with illustrations from District Disaster Management Plan 2020 of Gurgaon District of Haryana

Level of readiness of employees of Systems Plus College Foundation (SPCF) on Disaster Risk-Reduction Management (DRRM).

To determine the level of readiness on disaster risk-reduction management among employees of an educational institution. The descriptive, evaluative study was conducted from March to April 2022 at 6 branches of Systems Plus College Foundation, Philippines, in Balibago, Rizal, Miranda, San Fernando, Caloocan and Cubao after approval from the ethics review committee of the Our Lady of Fatima University, Philippines, and comprised employees who were associated with the college for at least 6 months. Data was collected using Google Forms, and a validated tool was used to assess the disaster risk-reduction management readiness. The responses were categorised into 5 groups, ranging from 'very much ready' to 'not ready'. Gathered data was analysed by using SPSS version 20. Mean results were derived and presented with standard deviation. The responses suggested moderate readiness regarding structural safety codes 3.02±0.98, non-structural safety codes 3.02±1.04, availability of emergency supplies and equipment 2.84±1.09, and servicing and maintenance 2.85±1.03. Increasing the level of readiness related to disaster risk-reduction management must be given priority to ensure the safety of the employees in a higher education institution.

Persistent Vulnerability after Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Response: The Case of Salgar, Colombia

Community-based disaster management (CBDM) has replaced traditional models of disaster risk reduction (DRR), giving the community a more participatory role in the planning and implementation of risk mitigation and preparedness strategies, disaster response, and post-disaster recovery measures. This shift in disaster response approaches has impacted understandings of vulnerability and resilience, leading scholars and policy makers to move away from a physical definition of vulnerability and to incorporate social variables. However, in Colombia, a traditional DRR approach still prevails. The National Risk Management Policy employs a top-down approach to risk reduction and disaster management, relying on the action of governmental authorities without community participation in the design or implementation of risk management planning and strategy. This article reveals the deficiencies of traditional DRR approaches. The Colombian government’s post-disaster resettlement project after a 2015 landslide in Salgar, Antioquia that resulted in 98 people dead or missing did not contribute to the reduction of vulnerability for the resettled community. To accurately measure post-disaster vulnerability and resilience, a new holistic model of indicators that includes both social and biophysical variables that illustrate and measure the relevance of preexisting vulnerabilities was developed. Local data was collected through 178 surveys administered to the inhabitants of Salgar’s three post-disaster resettlement sectors—La Habana, La Florida, and Las Margaritas—to construct an accurate picture of the populations affected by the disaster. Our results show that in the case of Salgar, social vulnerabilities persist even in the physical components of the resettlement sites where new infrastructure would be expected to reduce hazardous conditions and exposure to risk.

Multistakeholder Participation, Collaboration, and Networking in Disaster Risk Reduction and Pandemic Management: Insights and Future Policy Framework

The natural and manmade disasters impact a society with loss of assets and human lives. Disasters leavepeople in vulnerable conditions and an overall economic slowdown is observed. The impact of disasters is highly complex and multidimensional in nature. It becomes imperative to handle the complexity of issues with comprehensive approach. Managing disasters effectively is one of the important challenges any government faces when it tries to be prepared with appropriate mitigation, rescue, and relief strategies. The unexpected nature and urgency related to Disaster Risk Reduction makes it important and relevant to involvemultistakeholders. This will help to bring down the severity and impact of the disaster on human lives and losses. Disaster Risk Reductionrequires meticulous planning and sharing of the responsibility among multistakeholders through networking so as to bring down the severity and minimize the negative impact of a disaster. Many research studies have suggested the multistakeholder approach in addressing the disasters. There are several gaps such as inefficiency of vertical management to deal the issues, involvement of multiple stakeholders, and lack of local public supportfor disaster. This paper, considering the case of COVID-19 as a pandemic and disaster, discusses the importance of multistakeholder participation. The paper presents an extensive review of the papers on the relevance ofparticipation of multistakeholdersin Disaster Risk Reduction and explores the scope and challenges involved and suggests policies to address the disasters, which utilizes Multistakeholder Participation.

Constraints on Mechanical Fuel Reduction Treatments in United States Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy Priority Landscapes

Abstract The USDA Forest Service recently launched a Wildfire Crisis Strategy outlining objectives to safeguard communities and other values at risk by substantially increasing the pace and scale of fuel reduction treatment. This analysis quantified layered operational constraints to mechanical fuel reduction treatments, including existing vegetation, protected areas, steep slopes, and administrative boundaries in twenty-one prioritized landscapes. Results suggest that achieving the objective to treat 20%–40% of high-risk area is unlikely in most landscapes under a business-as-usual approach to mechanical fuel reduction treatments. Increased investment in steep-slope systems and expanded road access opens sufficient acreage to meet treatment objectives in eighteen of twenty-one priority landscapes. Achieving treatment objectives in the remaining three landscapes will require both increased investment to overcome physical constraints and navigating administrative complexities within reserved land allocations to implement fuels treatments at the pace and scale needed to moderate fire risk to communities. Study Implications: Legal, operational, and administrative factors have hindered the implementation of proposed wildland fire risk reduction management actions. Investing in steep-slope systems, expanding use of temporary roads, and revising administrative rules to allow for appropriately tailored mechanical thinning in special conservation areas are possible ways to meet fuel reduction treatment objectives of the USDA Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy in twenty-one landscapes across the western United States. Broadening the land base available for mechanical treatment allows for flexibility to develop treatment plans that optimize across the multiple dimensions of effective landscape-scale fuel treatment design and restore fire as a key ecosystem process.

School Heads’ Socio-Psychological Perspectives, Organizational Culture, and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management: Input to Community Resiliency Program

School Heads’ Socio-Psychological Perspectives, Organizational Culture, and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management: Input to Community Resiliency Program