Topic 1: Disaster Risk Management

Natural disasters increasingly affect communities, especially in less developed countries, leading to heightened vulnerability due to socio-economic conditions, demographic changes, and climate change. To address this, disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts must be strengthened through policies and programs that promote sustainable development and minimize exposure to hazards.

Approaches to Disaster Risk Management (DRM):

1. Traditional Approach: Focuses on post-disaster recovery, including relief, recovery, and reconstruction phases.

2. Current Approach: Emphasizes DRR through risk assessments, the creation of DRM plans, and early warning systems (EWS), recognized as more cost-effective for saving lives.

The UN's International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (now UNDRR) provides the foundational framework for this course, promoting resilience and sustainable development through disaster risk management.

UNDRR Mission and Goals:

• Mission: Lead global efforts to reduce disaster risk and impact, fostering resilient communities and sustainable development.

• Key Goals:

  • Raise awareness of disaster risks and their impacts.

  • Strengthen governance to manage disaster risk.

  • Advocate for investments in risk reduction.

  • Improve preparedness for effective disaster response.

A disaster is a severe disruption to a community or society caused by hazardous events interacting with exposure, vulnerability, and capacity, leading to human, material, economic, and environmental losses. The impacts can be immediate or widespread and may exceed a community's ability to cope, necessitating external assistance.

Key Definitions:

• South African Disaster Management Act (2002 & 2015): Defines a disaster as a sudden or progressive occurrence that threatens life, property, or the environment and exceeds the community's capacity to cope.

• Namibian Disaster Management Act (2012): Defines a disaster as a significant disruption that poses a widespread threat to life, health, property, or the environment, exceeding local resources.

Key Insights:

• Kofi Annan (1999) emphasized that human behavior often turns natural hazards into "unnatural disasters." Factors such as poverty, urbanization, and environmental degradation increase vulnerability to disasters.

• Disasters can be preventable and managed to minimize loss of life and property damage.

• The term "disaster" should be used responsibly, avoiding exploitation for personal or political gain.

 Different countries have their own disaster management laws, defining "disaster" in various ways. This module follows the UNDRR terminology.

Challenges from Disasters (Sendai Framework 2015–2030): The Sendai Framework aims to reduce disaster risk and losses over 15 years. It focuses on:

• Preventing new risks and reducing existing ones through inclusive policies in various sectors (economic, social, environmental, etc.).

• Improving capabilities in developing countries to manage risks.

• International cooperation to support national efforts.

Seven Global Targets:

1. Reduce global disaster mortality by 2030.

2. Lower the number of affected people globally.

3. Decrease economic losses from disasters relative to GDP.

4. Reduce damage to critical infrastructure and services.

5. Increase countries with local disaster risk reduction strategies.

6. Enhance international cooperation for disaster risk management.

7. Improve access to early warning systems and disaster risk information.

Disaster Risk: Disaster risk is the potential for loss of life or damage to assets, depending on hazards, exposure, vulnerability, and community capacity.

Components of Disaster Risk:

• Hazards: Natural or human-made events that can cause harm (e.g., floods, earthquakes).

• Vulnerability: Conditions that increase susceptibility to hazards, often related to poverty or lack of resources.

• Capacity: Resources and abilities that help communities cope with hazards.

Understanding disaster risk involves recognizing the social context and differences in perceptions of risk. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) aims to prevent and manage risks to build resilience and support sustainable development.

Disaster Risk Management (DRM)

DRM is a systematic approach to managing uncertainties and potential losses from disasters. It includes:

• Risk Assessment: Analyzing potential hazards and vulnerabilities.

• Strategy Development: Creating plans to control and reduce risks.

• Preventative Measures: Implementing actions at all societal levels to manage risks, such as:

  • Educating communities about safe land use (e.g., avoiding flood plains).

  • Setting construction standards for resilient buildings.

  • Establishing early warning systems and response plans.

  • Utilizing insurance for risk transfer.

The goal is to enhance community resilience and minimize disaster losses. Though these proactive efforts may not receive media attention, they are crucial in reducing the impact of hazards.

Historical Examples of DRM:

• Ancient Innovations: The Chinese developed a seismograph nearly 200 years ago and built dykes over 1000 years ago to manage flooding.

• Netherlands: Known for its sea dykes protecting against flooding since the 18th century.

• Inca Terracing: Used in the Andes to conserve soil for agriculture.

• Pacific Islander Housing: Constructed with lightweight materials to withstand severe weather.

International Agreements and Frameworks:

• UN Initiatives: Various frameworks have been established, including:

  • International Framework of Action for Natural Disaster Reduction (1990–1991).

  • UN Convention on Biological Diversity (1992).

  • Convention to Combat Desertification (1994).

  • Hyogo Framework for Action (2005–2015): Focused on building resilience at national and community levels.

  • Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030): Adopted in 2015, it emphasizes reducing vulnerabilities and risks through stakeholder collaboration.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 goals aimed at promoting peace and prosperity while addressing climate change and preserving natural resources.

Disaster Risk Management (DRM)

DRM involves applying Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) policies and strategies to:

• Prevent New Disaster Risks

• Reduce Existing Risks

• Manage Residual Risks

These efforts aim to strengthen community resilience and minimize disaster losses.

Key Components of DRM:

1. Mitigation:

   • Defined as the act of lessening or minimizing the adverse impacts of hazardous events.

   • Includes engineering techniques, hazard-resistant construction, improved environmental and social policies, and public awareness.

   • Note: In climate change contexts, "mitigation" specifically refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Preparedness:

   • Refers to the knowledge and capacities developed by governments, organizations, and communities to effectively respond to and recover from disasters.

   • Aims to build necessary capacities for efficient emergency management and smooth transitions from response to recovery.

Modern Risk Management Approach:

• Programming should integrate risk management into organizational practices, not treat it as an isolated action.

• Recognizes a variety of hazards (geological, meteorological, environmental, technological, and socio-political) that affect societies in complex ways.

• Disasters are viewed as long-term problems that require planning and proactive measures, rather than just unfortunate events requiring reaction.

Legislative Context:

• South Africa’s Disaster Management Act (2002) establishes a coordinated disaster management policy focused on preventing and reducing disaster risks, creating disaster management centers at various government levels.

• Southern African Development Community (SADC) Disaster Preparedness and Response Strategy (2016-2030) aims to enhance coordination for effective disaster response and resilience among member states.

The goal of DRM is to promote a culture of risk avoidance through public awareness and a sense of responsibility in disaster management efforts.

The Disaster Risk Management Cycle

The Disaster Risk Management (DRM) cycle is a comprehensive, multidimensional process aimed at improving community safety and environmental resilience. It emphasizes that all activities in DRM are interconnected and highlights the continuous nature of risk management before, during, and after disaster events.

Key Characteristics:

• Iterative Process: The cycle is continuous and involves multiple phases and activities focused on reducing vulnerability, enhancing preparedness, and building resilience to disasters.

• Short-term vs. Long-term: Emergency response initiatives are typically short-term, while recovery efforts can take months or years to complete.

• Intervention Packages: Instead of isolated actions, it is crucial to develop coordinated measures or "intervention packages" to enhance effectiveness.

Five Interconnected Areas of Operation:

1. Risk Assessment: Identifying and analyzing risks to understand their potential impacts.

2. Disaster Prevention and Mitigation: Implementing strategies to prevent disasters and reduce their severity.

3. Disaster Preparedness: Preparing communities and systems to effectively respond to disasters when they occur.

4. Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction: Integrating disaster preparedness into the recovery process to rebuild better.

5. Mainstreaming DRM in Development: Incorporating disaster risk management into various development cooperation sectors.

Additional Activities:

• Raising Awareness: Educating communities about disaster risks and preparedness.

• Strengthening Local DRM Capabilities: Enhancing the skills and resources of local entities involved in disaster management.

 The Disaster Risk Management Process

Effective coordination within the DRM process is crucial for successful disaster management, involving collaboration from various disciplines. The DRM process focuses on anticipating potential risks and implementing plans to minimize negative outcomes while maximizing positive ones.

Key Steps in the DRM Process:

1. Establish the Context:

   • Understand the strategic context influencing disaster risk, including political, social, economic, cultural, technological, and legal factors.

   • Conduct an environmental scanning process and perform a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

2. Identify Risks:

   • Identify all possible hazards affecting the assessed area.

   • Establish the vulnerabilities of the potentially affected community.

3. Analyze Risks:

   • Determine existing control mechanisms for identified hazards and vulnerabilities.

   • Assess the likelihood and consequences of each hazard to estimate the level of risk.

4. Evaluate and Prioritize Risks:

   • Compare risks against established criteria, such as fatalities and financial impacts.

   • Set threshold criteria to identify when risks become unacceptable, allowing for prioritization and remedial actions.

5. Treat Risks:

   • After prioritization, determine acceptable risk levels and explore treatment options.

   • Consider whether risks can be avoided, reduced, transferred (e.g., through insurance), or managed through specific treatment measures.

6. Monitor and Review:

   • Continuously monitor risks and review decisions to ensure timely feedback and adaptations to the risk management plans.

7. Communicate and Consult:

   • Engage with all relevant stakeholders from the beginning, particularly in community settings, to leverage indigenous knowledge and ensure informed decision-making.

Risk Assessment Formula:

• The risk assessment process evaluates disaster risk using the formula: Risk=Hazards×Vulnerability\text{Risk} = \text{Hazards} \times \text{Vulnerability}Risk=Hazards×Vulnerability

Tools in Risk Assessment:

• Historical data and disaster records

• Community accounts and indigenous knowledge

• Scientific studies and environmental data

• Hazard maps and vulnerability profiles

• Demographic information and infrastructure assessments

Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management in Development Cooperation:

• Engage all stakeholders in the risk management process, including political decision-makers, affected populations, and experts.

• Raise Awareness: Educate communities about risks and vulnerabilities, highlighting the costs of disasters.

• Strengthen Local DRM Capabilities: Leverage indigenous knowledge and train communities to enhance their disaster resilience.

1.8 Types of Hazard

Distinction Between Hazards and Disasters:

• Hazard: A process, phenomenon, or activity that may cause adverse impacts (loss of life, property damage, etc.).

• Disaster: An event that overwhelms a community's capacity to cope with the hazard.

Characteristics of Hazards:

• Location

• Intensity or Magnitude

• Frequency and Probability

1.8.1 Natural Hazards:

• Hydrometeorological Hazards: Atmospheric or climatological phenomena (e.g., floods, storms).

• Geological Hazards: Natural earth processes (e.g., earthquakes, volcanic eruptions).

• Biological Hazards: Organic processes, including disease outbreaks (e.g., pandemics, infestations).

1.8.2 Human-Induced Hazards:

• Technological Hazards: Resulting from industrial activities and failures (e.g., chemical spills, nuclear accidents).

• Environmental Hazards: Caused by environmental degradation and pollution.

Types of Hazard

Summary

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) is essential for protecting lives, safeguarding assets, and promoting sustainable development. By reducing the risk and impact of disasters on communities, DRM focuses on prevention, preparedness, and resilience-building. This proactive approach enables countries to create safer and more resilient societies capable of withstanding and recovering from various hazards and threats.

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