Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance Research Articles

How can the Sendai framework be implemented for disaster risk reduction and sustainable development? A qualitative study in Iran

BackgroundThe Sendai Framework is the United Nations’ most significant approach to reducing the risk of disasters from 2015 to 2030. This framework designed for all communities. However, communities should create operational and remedial strategies based on their unique circumstances. Considering the gaps in the implementation of Sendai framework strategies in Iran, as a developing country, the present study was designed.MethodThis study was conducted by using a qualitative direct content analysis method to find out the expert’s opinions on the implementation of the Sendai framework in Iran from 2021 to 2023. 35 experts in the focus group discussion and 9 experts in the interview were the participants of the study.ResultsStudy findings were merged and reported as one main theme entitled Executive actions for implementing the Sendai Framework, four categories, and 37 codes. Eleven codes for the strategy of understanding disaster risk, 11 codes for the strategy of strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk, eight codes for the strategy of Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, and finally, seven codes for the strategy of enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction were identified as implementation solutions.ConclusionThe Sendai Framework has not provided any detailed implementation solutions because the countries’ economic, social, level of development, etc., are different. The study’s findings can be used as a guide for other developing countries.

Involvement and Design of Strengthening Policy Actors in Tsunami Disaster Risk Governance in Padang City

This paper is based on research that describes the involvement and design of strengthening policy actors in tsunami risk governance in Padang City. This paper also describes the policy design for strengthening disaster risk governance based on these actors' participation in research findings. The approach used in this research is a qualitative method with data collection through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and data studies. Data processing and analysis were performed using matrix coding and model design on the NVivo 12 Plus. The research findings illustrate that the involvement of local government actors is at the highest level in disaster risk governance policies in Padang City. Furthermore, non-governmental organisations, communities, vertical governments, digital communities, and business sector actors have successive roles in disaster risk policies. Recommendations for the involvement of local communities can be made by increasing capacity and engaging in disaster risk governance actions. On the other hand, the recommendation of non-governmental organisations (NGOs') participation should be maintained and facilitated by designing regulations that reduce the risk of a tsunami disaster. Local governments are involved in strengthening budgeting, coordination, and partnerships as the leading sector in disaster governance.

Reducing community risk to coastal erosion with managed relocation

As climate change escalates and coastal populations increase, adaptation to ongoing risks to coastal communities due to rising sea levels and storm surges must be reassessed. In Australia, over $25 billion of coastal property is at substantial risk from inundation and erosion. The response by governments to coastal hazards has been to construct artificial sea barriers in a hold-the-line approach of investing in sea walls and beach nourishments1 to protect beachfront residential properties. However, are such structures reducing the long-term risk in an era of climate uncertainty? Is sand renourishment of beaches a sustainable solution to increasing erosion on the coast? Can planned relocations be implemented in planning policies? Sea walls perpetuate ongoing threats to coastal development and a shift in the methodology of land-use planning and adaptation for coastal communities must occur. This would be in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (UNDRR 2015) goal of strengthening disaster risk governance. A greater emphasis must be placed on strategic planning that directs people away from high-risk beachfronts. This research uses qualitative case studies to understand how local governments in New South Wales address the increasing risks to coastal residential development and the connection between government and risk hierarchies. A framework is proposed to integrate national risk hierarchies into state and local government planning to assist in managing strategic relocations and implementing nature-based solutions.

Enhancing Resilience in Coastal Regions from a Socio-Ecological Perspective: A Case Study of Andhra Pradesh, India

Addressing the second priority of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) for strengthening disaster risk governance, this paper considers coastal regions from a Socio-Ecological System (SES) perspective. It identifies the drivers of risk and critical linkages between various key components of coastal SESs that can potentially influence the resilience of coastal regions. The study considers that, in a coastal area, where the system is complex with numerous stakeholders, any decision taken in the form of developmental policy or as an adaptive practice is critical for system changes, thereby making risk anticipation and its management difficult. To further conduct a detailed investigation of this subject, seven settlements along the coastal Andhra Pradesh (India) region were methodically selected. Herein, focus group discussions were conducted to prepare fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM), which were further analyzed through the mental modeler online platform. By analyzing the structural metrics of the FCM, saltwater intrusion was identified as a significant system component. Furthermore, the study also analyzed the effects of change on the characteristics of selected SES components regarding the effectiveness of existing governance strategies and, conversely, the impact of implementing governance strategies on the identified critical components of SES. By critically examining the various scenarios thus generated, the research identifies various components, generating vulnerabilities in human systems. The derived results were cross-validated through community consultation, and the temporal variations in the state of system components were mapped. The study is expected to provide considerable input to policymakers for enhancing decision-making in coastal regions from an SES perspective.

An Empirical Study on Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance through Leadership and Effective Risk Communication

An Empirical Study on Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance through Leadership and Effective Risk Communication

Barriers to Enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction and Community Resilience: Evidence from the L’Aquila Disaster

Building sustainable and resilient societies is a multidimensional challenge that affects achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In crises and disasters, civil protection authorities typically use emergency powers and a command-and-control approach to manage resources and to design and implement disaster management interventions. They centralise knowledge, technologies and responsibilities for prevention, mitigation and monitoring, while stifling the capacities of local communities to reduce disaster risks and impacts. The mechanism they enact leads to a poor understanding of the capacities of local people to learn and transform, and of how community wellbeing, vulnerabilities, and resilience influence disaster risks. The mechanism does not strengthen the role of local communities in disaster risk reduction. Instead, it facilitates disaster capitalism at all levels of society. Drawing on the disaster risk reduction and resilience paradigm and on our analysis of the disaster management interventions conducted before and after the 6 April 2009 earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy, we discuss the main constraints to implementing the four Priority Areas in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: (1) Understanding risk in its multiple dimensions; (2) strengthening disaster risk governance; (3) investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience; and (4) enhancing preparedness and build back better in response, recovery and reconstruction. We discuss how top-down, emergency-centred civil protection approaches create second disasters, and fail in all four priorities. We suggest that shifts in paradigm and investment are required in disaster management and development practice from centralised civil protection systems to decentralised, socially sustainable community empowerment systems.

Regional Policy for Disaster Risk Management in Developing Countries Within the Sendai Framework: A Systematic Review.

The recently concluded World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) in Sendai, Japan and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (SFDRR) have set renewed priorities for disaster risk reduction (DRR) for the next 15 years. This framework is the main guiding instrument for Disaster Risk Management (DRM) within the scope of sustainable development and the eradication of poverty. Disaster management policies and practices should be based on an understanding of risks, not just on an ideological level. Gap and key challenges identified include Still weak coordination, cooperation and linkages among the sectors related to DRR, Lacks of skills in loss assessment and post disaster needs, lack of strategic research agenda, absence of consensus regarding terminology, and limited coordination between stakeholders. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of why disaster risk reduction efforts undertaken by regional policy often fail to improve future disaster responses. These findings can be used to help guide to improve regional policy in disaster risk reduction processes. This research is a systematic review study by collecting articles that are relevant to International Journal of Disaster Risk Science. From the analysis, we found that all four priorities for action in the Sendai Framework are relevant to Disaster Risk Management (DRM) field as follows: 1). Understanding disaster risk; 2). Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk; 3). Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience and 4). Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Challenges in Implementing Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Poland

Currently, weather conditions and extreme weather are becoming more frequent and more intense. Along with climate change, the vulnerability of society and individual regions to the risk of various types of threats also increases. The objectives of “The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030”, are the first global political frameworks of the United Nations program designed for the period post-2015. The original priority objectives of the Framework are: Understanding disaster risk, strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk, investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, and enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. The provisions contained in the document are an essential step towards building global political coherence with an apparent reference to health, development, and climate change. The article is briefly reporting current Disaster Risk Reduction related programs and policies in Poland, contributions as part of The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction implementation, and its challenges.

Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance to Manage Disaster Risk: Output of the Global Forum on Science and Technology for Disaster Resilience 2017

The importance of disaster risk governance was stated in the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) in 2005. However, effective measures towards strengthening disaster risk governance from the science and technology community have not been sufficiently implemented since then. In the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) in 2015, “strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk” was established as one of the four action items, and many roles for the science and technology community were stated in the SFDRR. This report introduces the discussions and outcomes regarding the role of the science and technology community in strengthening disaster risk governance at the Global Forum on Science and Technology for Disaster Resilience 2017.

Special Issue on Global Forum on Science and Technology for Disaster Resilience 2017

The Global Forum on Science and Technology for Disaster Resilience was held in Tokyo from 23 to 25 November 2017 with 228 participants from 42 countries. To implement the priorities for action in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) 2015–2030, the Forum aimed to encourage all stakeholders to develop guidelines for supporting national platforms for DRR by making the best use of science and technology and producing a synthesis report on disaster science and technology. During the Forum, seven working groups held presentations and panel discussions that corresponded to the four priorities for action in the Sendai Framework (1. Understanding disaster risk; 2. Strengthening disaster risk governance; 3. Investing in DDR; and 4. “Build Back Better”), as well as on Interdisciplinary collaboration, National platforms, and Synthesis report. At the end of the Forum, seven policy briefs, as well as “Tokyo Statement 2017,” were adopted. In this special issue of the Journal of Disaster Research, co-chairs of the working groups summarize their discussions and recommendations for each working group. Additional papers on the role of private sectors and Nation’s Synthesis are also included in the issue. We thank all the authors and reviewers of the papers, as well as all the participants of the Forum for their valuable contributions.

Evolution of disaster risk governance in Greater Manchester: a case study from the UK

In the face of 21st century challenges including globalisation, urbanisation, climate change and anti-microbial resistance, disaster risk governance must ensure top-level buy-in from city leaders. The Sendai Framework calls for focused action in strengthening disaster risk governance. Over the last decade Greater Manchester has transformed its disaster risk governance to reflect a more sophisticated understanding of resilience. At the start of this century, the UK experienced a series of crises that led to modernisation of its civil protection arrangements. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 enabled Greater Manchester to formalise existing partnership structures to strengthen the local platform for disaster risk reduction. This created the multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder Greater Manchester Resilience Forum which coordinates civil protection activities for nearly 3 million residents. The UK recognises that local and national platforms need to work together and this alignment is delivered through a specialist Government team working closely with the Forum. In 2014 Greater Manchester joined the UNISDR’s Making Cities Resilient Campaign. Use of the campaign’s toolkit led to a review of governance and renewed trans-disciplinary collaboration across multiple thematic local partnerships. A role model city within the campaign, Greater Manchester also participated in an EU-funded project (USCORE) to pilot the UNISDR’s Disaster Resilience Scorecard. Outcomes highlighted the importance of place-based assurance together with relevant metrics to inform decisions. This case study draws on this experience of strengthening disaster risk governance arrangements, a journey which will continue as Greater Manchester works with the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities initiative.

Disaster prevention, disaster preparedness and local community resilience within the context of disaster risk management in Cameroon

Cameroon was one of the 57 countries that participated in the Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR) Views from the Frontline (VFL) 2013 project on everyday disasters, community resilience and disaster preparedness. Working with 6 other civil society organizations, Geotechnology, Environmental Assessment and Disaster Risk Reduction administered 400 questionnaires to frontliners in 7 administrative regions of the country on 14 disaster indicators that assessed the underlying causes of disasters and the level of preparedness and resilience of the communities. Scores from the 89% of informants who responded show that Cameroon occupied the 43rd position globally, was 15th out of the 23 African countries, and was 7th out of the 9 West African countries surveyed. Cameroon average scores for all 14 indicators were lower (poorer) than the West African average, suggesting that a lot more effort is needed in managing disaster risks in the country, i.e., reducing vulnerabilities and increasing preparedness and resilience. At the national level, the Center and Adamaoua Regions recorded the lowest scores of the survey. Above-average scores recorded for some indicators in the Southwest, Northwest and Far North Regions are interpreted to be due to disaster prevention activities like monitoring via early warning systems, resilience building and outreach exercises carried out for disasters like landslides, floods, gas explosions from lakes, and volcanic eruptions, in these areas. Cameroon presently has many laws relating to disaster risk management matters, but an analysis of how the laws are applied shows that the expected results have not been attained, mainly because of over-centralization and a reactive, rather than a proactive approach to disaster risk management. Given her current disaster risk profile, Cameroon has to increase research, better manage, and make disaster risks a central tenet in her development project decision-making, if the goal earmarked in her development vision to become a newly industrialized country by 2035 has to be realized. We propose the creation of an autonomous statutory National Disaster Risk Management Agency which will have a local community-driven bottom-top approach to disaster risk management, and disseminate appropriately tailored disaster risk information to promote a proactive community-based resilience and disaster prevention framework. This will fulfill the post-2015 Sendai framework priority of action No. 2 (strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk) and appropriately prepare Cameroon to face the challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Congratulatory Message

The tenth anniversary of the Journal of Disaster Research presents a worthy occasion for noting the Journal’s ongoing contributions to progressively reducing disaster risk while improving emergency preparedness. The Journal’s 58 issues have offered an efficient and enlightened venue for researchers, NGOs, NPOs, and officials to report findings, new methodologies, risk problems, and calls for collaborations related to disasters. Through mutual interactive learning processes, the Journal effectively encourages greater international opportunities for coworking and codesigning new agendas for research topics related to disaster. Every new disaster happens challenges us to work toward a greater understanding of natural hazards, physical and social vulnerability, human behavior, and the coping capabilities of our society. The fact that gaps are always to be found in our understanding requires that we make joint efforts to fill these gaps through the cross-boundary sharing of knowledge and experience. Within the last ten years, increasingly frequent and devastating catastrophes have pushed ever onward to identify areas of interdisciplinary collaboration for developing integrated, broadspectrum solutions for reducing disaster risk and enhancing resilience. The advocacy of cross-cutting synergy among the social sciences, natural sciences, traditional engineering and information technology is one of the keys focused on and implemented by the authors and editors of the Journal of Disaster Research in exploring new approaches to understanding disaster risk. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) in March endorsed moving forward based on the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). The SFDRR emphasizes increasingly active global participation of science and technology in fulfill the priorities pointing in key directions for our work. The first among the four top issues is “understanding risk,” followed by “Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk,” “Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience,” and “Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to ‘Build Back Better’ in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.” No matter whether you are a scientist, engineer, social worker, volunteer or government official, you will be taking part in creating and sharing illustrative and effective measures motivating and supplementing efforts in disaster risk reduction. The adverse, cascading impact wrought by disasters are evolving with the swift pace of population growth, urbanization, economic development, environmental degradation, and climate change. Their expanding impact requires ever more diverse and tailor-made solutions. Knowledge transformation changing mindsets must be based on solid research output such as that published in the Journal of Disaster Research. To solve problems, we must work hard to foster teamwork with decision makers who hold the keys to disaster risk management. Ensuring the best communication in disaster risk depends on how we work to change the landscape of disaster risk reduction. A demand-based approach to answering the inquiries of decision makers should be designed and developed to leverage policies and evidence-based knowledge. The concept of the common operating picture, for example, is an ideal tool for raising comprehensive situational awareness in emergency operations. Because scientific output is well organized and systemically displayed on geospatial platforms, disaster response efficiency and effectiveness have made great strides in modern science and technology. Likewise, collaboration with grassroots-level residents and stakeholders includes the obligation by the scientific community to build up and support these efforts. I expect the Journal of Disaster Research to continue leading the disaster research community in synergizing efforts and crystallizing wisdom making our world ever safer and more resilient.