National Disaster Risk Reduction Research Articles

Economic Benefits and Uses of Indigenous Seasonal Weather Forecasts in Zimbabwe

This study presents a seminal contribution regarding the economic value of indigenous seasonal weather forecasts in Zimbabwe. Many farmers (58%) use indigenous seasonal weather forecasts to make maize farming decisions such as selecting suitable varieties. The main indicators used for indigenous seasonal weather forecasts are flowering and fruition of specific trees. Based on travel cost analysis, which incorporates a multi-purpose visit scenario, the study establishes the economic importance of indigenous seasonal weather forecasts with a consumer surplus of US$1,044 per year among the 290 farmers using the forecasts. There is therefore a need to integrate indigenous weather forecasts into national seasonal weather forecasting and disaster risk reduction systems to complement modern seasonal weather forecasts. Co-production of seasonal weather forecasts with farmers is proposed in this regard. This further calls for the need to digitally document, visualize, and disseminate indigenous seasonal weather forecast indicators to a wider audience to increase their use.

Vietnamese migrants’ engagement in disaster risk reduction: The relevance of social capital

Researchers commonly employ the concept of social capital to examine how people engage with disaster risk reduction. This approach has generated useful knowledge to improve the effectiveness of disaster risk reduction for the general population. However, disaster risk reduction knowledge and practices designed for the general population might not speak to Vietnamese migrants because they do not reflect Vietnamese cultural practices and norms. This paper contributes to the literature by presenting findings from a narrative inquiry into Vietnamese migrants’ experiences of disaster risk reduction in the Wellington Region, Aotearoa New Zealand. The participants’ narratives suggest that Vietnamese migrants employ bonding and bridging social capital to gain knowledge about natural hazards and disaster risk reduction. Their disaster risk reduction reflects certain socio-cultural norms and values as well as family and gender dynamics among Vietnamese migrants. The findings also indicate that, for Vietnamese migrants who do not have well-established social networks, social capital-based disaster risk reduction might be less effective.

Drivers of natural disaster risk-reduction actions and their temporal dynamics: Insights from surveys during an imminent hurricane threat and its aftermath.

To improve preparedness for natural disasters, it is imperative to understand the factors that enable individual risk-reduction actions. This study offers such insights using innovative real-time (N = 871) and repeated (N = 255) surveys of a sample of coastal residents in Florida regarding flood preparations and their drivers during an imminent threat posed by Hurricane Dorian and its aftermath. Compared with commonly employed cross-sectional surveys, our methodology better represents relationships between preparedness actions undertaken during the disaster threat and their drivers derived from an extended version of Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). The repeated survey allows for examining temporal dynamics in these drivers. Our results confirm the importance of coping appraisals and show that risk perceptions relate more strongly to emergency protection decisions made during the period of the disaster threat than to decisions made well before. Moreover, we find that several personal characteristics that we add to the standard PMT framework significantly relate to undertaking preparedness actions, especially locus of control and social norms. Significant changes in key explanatory variables occur following the disaster threat, including a decline in risk perception, a potential learning effect in coping appraisals, and a decline in risk aversion. Our results confirm the advantage of the real-time and repeated survey approach in understanding both short- and long-term disaster preparedness actions.

Bridging gaps between disaster risk reduction and drowning prevention

Drowning is a form of silent and neglected disaster. Hundreds of thousands die every year from drowning, with cumulated fatalities surpassing that of large-scale disasters. However, research on drowning is largely absent from disaster studies and global and national disaster risk reduction policy frameworks rarely mention drowning risk and the related strategies for strengthening water safety. Drowning is mainly framed as a public health issue being studied predominantly by scholars from injury prevention, public health, and medicine. This paper argues that both disaster studies and disaster risk reduction policies have a critical role to play in progressing drowning prevention. It reviews the existing drowning literature and highlights trends, challenges, and opportunities to bridge gaps in knowledge, policy, and practice for reducing drowning risk. The article highlights the strong conceptual underpinnings that characterize both the disaster risk and drowning fields, the need for data sharing, the potential for community-approaches to drowning risk reduction, and ultimately recommends a more systematic integration of drowning in disaster risk reduction initiatives. The paper ends by underlining some of the barriers and requirements to foster collaboration between the disaster risk domains and drowning prevention.

Disaster risk reduction on stage: An empirical evaluation of community-based theatre as risk communication tool for coastal risk mitigation and ecosystem-based adaptation

The Sendai Framework highlights the need for an all-of-society effort to reduce the societal burden of flooding, with a focus on those being disproportionately affected. In this context, community-based organizations shall contribute to and support public awareness, a culture of prevention and education on disaster risk. Participatory theatre could be a promising means to that end, but quantitative evaluations are currently lacking. We provide a systematic literature review on participatory theatre in the context of natural hazards and disaster risk reduction. Moreover, we quantitatively evaluate to what extent community-based theatre implemented by the Women's Union in Central Vietnam could contribute to public awareness and foster societal engagement. 10 theatre performances in five coastal communes were evaluated using pre- and post-performance surveys among 635 visitors, mainly women. We find that community-based theatre enhanced risk perceptions, perceived flood knowledge, self-efficacy, and the importance of social participation. No significant effect was found on intentions to engage in (collective) risk reducing behavior. We conclude that participatory theatre is an effective risk-communication tool for community-based organizations, which should be embedded in broader activities addressing societal resilience against flooding. Future research should explore the sustainability of the observed increases and the long-term dynamics of behavioral changes.

Community-Based Strategies for Disaster Preparedness in Mauritius

Mauritius is Small Island Developing State (SIDS) of volcanic origin which lies in the South-West Indian Ocean Basin and is vulnerable to the consequences of global environmental challenges. The fourth priority action of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 is to consolidate disaster preparedness for an effective response and to have a Build Back Better agenda that will improve recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. This research aimed at examining the disaster management system in Mauritius through community-based approaches. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre’s (NDRRMC) involvement with the community living in high-risk zones was investigated. This study used quantitative data gathered from secondary sources and included the number of field training simulation exercises, training of volunteers under the Community Disaster Response Programme (CDRP), awareness campaigns and formulation of contingency plans based on documentation across Mauritius. The NDRRMC identified 109 high-risk zones across Mauritius out of which 13.7 per cent benefitted from all four forms of mitigation activities. Results indicated that contingency plans in Mauritius were evidence-based and had been developed after identification of disaster risk in selected regions, and therefore, they were limited to some types of disasters only. Findings also revealed that flooding was the most common type of simulated disaster exercise undertaken. The greatest number of field simulation exercises was carried out in Poste de Flacq. Results also demonstrated that only 38.5% of the community were exposed to disaster-related awareness campaigns, making it the least common form of disaster risk reduction (DRR) activity in Mauritius.

Flood Susceptibility Assessment of Chandpur Sadar Upazila using Analytical Hierarchy Process and Frequency Ratio Model

Flood susceptibility is a critical aspect of natural hazard assessment and disaster risk reduction. The objective of this study find out flood risk zone of chandpur sadar upazila using the Flood frequency ratio (FFR) and Analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The article explore the complex idea of flood susceptibility, focusing on analytical techniques used. The integration of twelve spatial data layers, such as Sediment Transport Index (STI), elevation, Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), slope, aspect, Land Use Land Cover (LULC), soil type, rainfall patterns, Normalize Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), drainage density and distance from the river, is required for the assessment of flood vulnerability. A flood inventory map was buildup and using these methods, two vulnerability map was created, it was discovered that 60% & 48% of Chandpur's territory is categorized by very high to high risk zone. Flood has dangerous effect on livelihood. I was hoped that it will be a helpful study for researcher and people of this upazila will be benefited.

Pamanang Haraya (Inherited Vision): a videographic manifest content analysis of Philippine Local Government Units’ (LGUs) tourism practices during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT The research assessed the tourism practices of the Philippine local government units (LGUs) during the COVID-19 pandemic through a videographic manifest content analysis of 29 videos produced that were nominated for the ATOP Pearl Awards 2021. Through qualitative research, the researchers identified the similarities and differences between these tourism practices and projects, including the use of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015–2030, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) Framework, and concepts from previous tourism pandemic actions as its foundation. A Repertory Grid and 5C Thematic Network Analysis in concept-driven and data-driven development were utilized to conduct the information analysis. The results of the study paved the way for a new pandemic framework, the PAMANA Framework for Philippine tourism recovery from a disaster or pandemic highlighting its eight thematic processes to determine the effectiveness of a practice or program. This tourism-specific framework aims to address risks brought about by biohazards as the researchers found that previous studies focused on crafting hazard-specific actions to mitigate natural disaster risks. The framework draws a line between several existing frameworks to depict advantages and new proposed practices. Thus, the framework is beneficial for other LGUs, future researchers, and concerned stakeholders working on the recovery of a community to a new normal that includes social, economic, environmental, and cultural areas.

Blueprints for resilience: Middle East/North Africa countries' disaster risk reduction education through experts' eyes

Abstract Background: All the existing frameworks of Health-Emergency Disaster Risk Management have put great emphasis on the use of educational strategies to be used as a mean of disaster risk reduction (DRR). Thus, this study was conducted to formulate experts' consensus on DRR educational strategies for Middle East/North Africa (MENA) countries. Methods: A Delphi study on expert's opinion for DRR educational strategies was carried out through surveys in two consecutive rounds through convenient sampling technique. Results: A total of 60 responses were included in this study. Most of the participants were Saudi nationals, physicians (36.7% vs. 33.3% in round 1 and round 2, respectively), and males (73.3%) with experience in disaster management (56.7%) of 5-10 years (60% vs. 53.3% in round 1 and round 2, respectively). Around 80% participants suggested that graduate health professional education should be through problem based learning (PBL) approach (36.7%) (P-value = 0.007). Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework implementation required provision of multiple means of engagement as priority (P-value = 0.007). Best learning situation category was institution based (60%) with best approach for DRR learning as planned scheduled learning (P-value = 0.000). It was found that best learning situations were lectures and small group sessions (73.3% each) (P-value = 0.165) that were delivered through learning management system (90%) (P-value = 0.103), while the major stakeholders that should be involved in national DRR educational planning were Ministry of Health (90%) (P-value = 0.881). Conclusion: Experts have consensus opinion on DRR Educational strategies in MENA countries.

Blueprints for resilience: Middle East/North Africa countries' disaster risk reduction education through experts' eyes

Abstract Background: All the existing frameworks of Health-Emergency Disaster Risk Management have put great emphasis on the use of educational strategies to be used as a mean of disaster risk reduction (DRR). Thus, this study was conducted to formulate experts' consensus on DRR educational strategies for Middle East/North Africa (MENA) countries. Methods: A Delphi study on expert's opinion for DRR educational strategies was carried out through surveys in two consecutive rounds through convenient sampling technique. Results: A total of 60 responses were included in this study. Most of the participants were Saudi nationals, physicians (36.7% vs. 33.3% in round 1 and round 2, respectively), and males (73.3%) with experience in disaster management (56.7%) of 5-10 years (60% vs. 53.3% in round 1 and round 2, respectively). Around 80% participants suggested that graduate health professional education should be through problem based learning (PBL) approach (36.7%) (P-value = 0.007). Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework implementation required provision of multiple means of engagement as priority (P-value = 0.007). Best learning situation category was institution based (60%) with best approach for DRR learning as planned scheduled learning (P-value = 0.000). It was found that best learning situations were lectures and small group sessions (73.3% each) (P-value = 0.165) that were delivered through learning management system (90%) (P-value = 0.103), while the major stakeholders that should be involved in national DRR educational planning were Ministry of Health (90%) (P-value = 0.881). Conclusion: Experts have consensus opinion on DRR Educational strategies in MENA countries.

Differential ethnic approach in disaster risk reduction and management: The case of Colombia

Colombia is a multicultural country, with ethnic minorities comprising 13% of its population. These ethnic groups have high vulnerability to disasters, not only due to their geographic location, but also because of inequities that exacerbate the vicious cycle of poverty. However, they have developed knowledge and tools to face these disasters that are responsive to their specific needs and should be incorporated into national and sub-national disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) policies and strategies to ensure inclusion and institutionalization. This article aims to understand the current incorporation of the differential ethnic approach in the DRRM system of Colombia. A literature review of journal articles and grey literature directly relevant to the differential ethnic approach in DRRM in Colombia was conducted on December 2022 and January 2023. Out of 1067 records, only 20 were eligible: 15 (75.0%) grey literature and 5 (15.0%) journal articles. Majority of the records (19, 95.5%) were on disaster prevention or mitigation. Results showed that official national DRRM policies and plans recognize the cultural diversity of Colombia, mandating several activities that require the inclusion of ethnic minorities. Narratives of DRRM activities where ethnic minorities were involved were found. However, challenges in adopting the guidelines at the national and local levels were found, highlighting the need to increase efforts to strengthen the integration of the differential ethnic approach in the DRRM system. The low number of scoped records also highlights the lack of documentation, monitoring, evaluation, or research that can provide insights that can contribute to this topic.

Assessing vulnerability in ethnic Munda community: A study on a cyclone-prone area of Bangladesh

Despite the much research on cyclone vulnerability in Bangladesh, few papers have addressed the assessment of cyclone vulnerability. Furthermore, there has been no study of the vulnerability of the Munda minority in the Southwestern part of Bangladesh. The Sundarbans, the Gorai River, the Rupsa-Pasur River, and the coastline region are visible in Bangladesh's Southwest. It is often referred to as the Ganges Tidal Plain and consists of a delta that is only partially active. Numerous creeks and canals run through it. This study assesses the vulnerability of the Munda community to cyclones using 28 social, economic, physical, institutional, and cultural indicators. After the cyclone Aila, the education level of 84 Munda households in Gabura and Munshiganj Unions of Shyamnagar Upazila, Satkhira District, increased. Many members of the Munda community live in poverty (less than US$100 monthly income). About 70% of them rely on agriculture and fishing as their primary source of income. They also have alternative sources of income, such as daily labor. However, they were physically vulnerable. Only 7% of Munda houses were semi-pucca (partially concrete houses). Additionally, 85% of Munda houses were built over a decade ago. Cyclones severely damaged approximately 89% of houses in the past. Many (88%) did not have access to proper sanitation. The physical vulnerability was also found to be significantly greater (P < 0.05) in Gabura Union (0.54 ± 0.09) than in Munshiganj Union (0.48 ± 0.13). However, they reported strong institutional support for disseminating cyclone warning messages, information on cyclone shelters, and evacuation procedures during cyclone emergencies. National and international disaster risk reduction strategies should encompass all people of all races, ethnicities, and nationalities.

Flood vulnerability analysis using different aggregation frameworks across watersheds of Ardabil province, northwestern Iran

Flood-vulnerable-area selection could be interpreted as an intricate multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. Lacking systematic flood vulnerability maps in Iran usually leaves the National Disaster Management Organization and provincial authorities to rely on limited knowledge to inform their emergency actions. Therefore, the present study was conducted as pioneer research in flood problematization for solving disaster issues that have not been adequately considered in the country. To obtain a more trustworthy and safer decision, a complex set of multivariate flood vulnerability assessments was done for 26 watersheds of Ardabil province using the novel-ensemble MCDM frameworks. Towards this, the complex proportional assessment of alternatives (COPRAS) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) approach was integrated with widely used weighting methods of Shannon's entropy (Entropy) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Finally, four different aggregation frameworks of COPRAS-Entropy, COPRAS-AHP, DFID-Entropy, and DFID-AHP were developed and compared based on 19 criteria and three factors (exposure, sensitivity, and resilience). The flood vulnerability was obtained as 0.70 ± 0.13, 0.66 ± 0.18, 0.17 ± 0.10, and 0.20 ± 0.15, respectively, based on COPRAS-Entropy, COPRAS-AHP, DFID-Entropy, and DFID-AHP. As can be seen, higher values were estimated according to COPRAS-based frameworks rather than DFID-based frameworks, except for resilience. The top-ranked watersheds in terms of exposure (i.e., Mashiran) and sensitivity (i.e., Samian) produced by aggregation frameworks match entirely. However, the top-ranked watersheds based on resilience and flood vulnerability slightly mismatch among the used aggregation's frameworks. These findings help the responsible authorities for natural disaster risk reduction to promote sustainable development processes and equitable access to financial resources.

Insights into the complementarity of natural disaster insurance purchases and risk reduction behavior.

While flooding is the costliest natural disaster risk, public-sector investments provide incomplete protection. Moreover, individuals are in general reluctant to voluntarily invest in measures which limit damage costs from natural disasters. The moral hazard hypothesis argues that insured individuals take fewer other preparedness measures based on their assumption that their losses will be covered anyway. Conversely, the advantageous selection hypothesis argues that individuals view insurance and other risk reduction measures as complements. This study offers a comprehensive assessment of factors related to the separate uptake of natural disaster insurance and the flood-proofing of homes as well as why people may take both of these measures together. We use data from a survey conducted in Paris, France, in 2018, after several flood events, for a representative sample of 2976 residents facing different levels of flood risk. We perform both main effects regressions and interaction analyses to reveal that home adaptation to flooding is positively associated with comprehensive insurance coverage, which includes financial protection against natural disasters. Furthermore, actual and perceived risks, as well as awareness of official information on flood risk, are found to explain some of the relationship between home adaptation and comprehensive insurance purchase. We suggest several recommendations to policymakers based on these insights which aim to address insurance coverage gaps and the failure to take disaster risk reduction measures. In particular, groups in socially vulnerable situations may benefit from subsidized insurance, low interest loans, and decision aids to implement costly adaptation measures.

Priorities for natural disaster risk reduction in Central America

Priorities for natural disaster risk reduction in Central America

Big Data, Small Island: Earth Observations for Improving Flood and Landslide Risk Assessment in Jamaica

The Caribbean region is highly vulnerable to multiple hazards. Resultant impacts may be derived from single or multiple cascading risks caused by hydrological-meteorological, seismic, geologic, or anthropological triggers, disturbances, or events. Studies suggest that event records and data related to hazards, risk, damage, and loss are limited in this region. National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) planning and response require data of sufficient quantity and quality to generate actionable information, statistical inferences, and insights to guide continual policy improvements for effective DRR, national preparedness, and response in both time and space. To address this knowledge gap, we review the current state of knowledge, data, models, and tools, identifying potential opportunities, capacity needs, and long-term benefits for integrating Earth Observation (EO) understanding, data, models, and tools to further enhance and strengthen the national DRR framework using two common disasters in Jamaica: floods and landslides. This review serves as an analysis of the current state of DRR management and assess future opportunities. Equally, to illustrate and guide other United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) priority countries in the Pacific region, known as Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to grapple with threats of multiple and compounding hazards in the face of increasing frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme weather events, and climate change impact.

The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on Natural Disaster Risk Reduction in Indonesia

Indonesia has geographic, demographic, and sociological conditions that cause Indonesia to have a relatively high percentage and risk of natural disasters. The Ministry of Finance noted that every year losses due to natural disasters reach Rp. 20 trillion. In addition, the impact of natural disasters on society is also negatively affected by economic conditions. This condition creates a real urgency for the role of all levels of society in making social contracts to help each other during emergencies. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program is a form of corporate responsibility in paying attention to the welfare of the community as a form of corporate social and economic responsibility in carrying out its operations. Currently, the awareness of business entities in preventing natural disasters is still not optimal and the role of CSR is still limited to charity. This journal will review the role of companies through Corporate Social Responsibility (CRR) in reducing the risk of natural disasters in Indonesia.

World Organisation for Animal Health Members' Capacity to Deal With Animal Welfare Emergencies During Natural Disasters in Europe.

Little is known about individual European countries or regional capacity to respond to animal welfare emergencies during natural disasters; therefore, it is important to establish baseline information (eg, types of disasters, training) to enable more focused and data-driven actionable support for future disasters. A 55-question survey was distributed by an email link to the 53 World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) European Region Members plus 1 observer country. Forty-nine countries (91%, n = 54) responded to the survey. Fifty-one percent (25/49) indicated they incorporated animal welfare into their national disaster regulatory framework, whereas 59% (29/49) indicated animal welfare was incorporated in the Veterinary Service National Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Plan. Thirty-nine percent (19/49) indicated they had "no" or "limited" legal authority to manage animal emergencies in natural disasters. Floods, forest fires, and snowstorm/extreme cold were the 3 most commonly reported disasters over the last 10 years with 79% (27/34) reporting Veterinary Services was involved in managing these disasters. The survey results indicated a wide range in the capacity of WOAH European Member Countries to respond to animal welfare in natural disasters, highlighting the gaps and potential areas of improvement in this arena.

Relationship between Payment for Ecosystem Services Programs and Disasters in Southeast Atlantic Forest region, Brazil

Ecosystem services significantly contribute to ecosystems resilience and stability. In this sense, payment for ecosystem services can be designed and applied to prevent or decrease environmental disaster risks. This study aimed at verifying whether municipalities taking part in PES programs present higher number of natural disasters (flood, drought, landslide and fire) between 2009 and 2020 in the Paraíba do Sul river basin. We expected that municipalities having more disaster events would take part in more projects, which we found. Programs can be implemented in response to the increase in natural disasters. We also expected PES calls to explicitly target natural disaster prevention measures and actions, which we did not observe. We found actions related to soil conservation and vegetation cover that might prevent risks, but there were no mentions of disasters. It is concerning that PES in Vale do Paraíba Paulista programs have not been addressing natural disaster risk reduction in a landscape, where floods, droughts, anthropogenic fires and erosion problems associated with hilly reliefs have been increasing in the last years.

Extreme Rainfall and Flood Risk Prediction over the East Coast of South Africa

Extreme rainfall associated with mid-tropospheric cut-off low (COL) pressure systems affected the entire east coast of South Africa during April 2022, leading to flooding and destruction of homes, electricity power lines, and road infrastructure, and leaving 448 people confirmed dead. Therefore, this study investigated the evolution of the two COLs and their impacts, including the occurrence of extreme rainfall and cold weather over the southeast coast of the country. We analysed observed and reanalysis meteorological data and mapped areas at risk to impacts of flood hazards on the east coast of South Africa. Extreme rainfall (&gt;500 mm) accumulated over 16 days was observed along the east coast, with the amount of rainfall progressively decreasing inland. We found that the rainfall associated with the first COL was significantly enhanced by the interactions between a strong low-level onshore airflow across the Agulhas Current and the coastal escarpment, resulting in deep convection and lifting. An unusual surface cyclone with tropical characteristics developed over the subtropical southwest Indian Ocean, driving onshore southeasterly winds which enhanced low-level convergence. Moreover, the flood risk results revealed that, amongst others, land cover/use (52.8%), elevation (16.8%) and lithology (15.5%) were the most important flood predictor variables in this study. Much of the study area was found to have very low (28.33%), low (31.82%), and moderate (21.66%) flood risk, whilst the high- and very-high-risk areas accounted for only 17.5% of the total land area. Nonetheless, the derived flood risk map achieved an acceptable level of accuracy of about 89.9% (Area Under Curve = 0.899). The findings of this study contribute to understanding extreme rainfall events and the vulnerability of settlements on South Africa’s east coast to flood risk, which can be used towards natural disaster risk reduction.