scholarly journals Towards understanding enabling environments for good practices in disaster risk management: an analysis of critical junctures in Manizales, Colombia

2021 ◽  
pp. 095624782110088
Author(s):  
Julia Wesely

The city of Manizales in Colombia has been widely recognized as a good practice case in disaster risk management (DRM). Previous research has sought to amplify learning from Manizales through examining the characteristics of its innovative practices. These are championed by an inter-institutional alliance that includes academia, the local government, the regional environmental authority and service providers. This paper argues that this learning needs to be accompanied by a nuanced understanding of the historical trajectories that have allowed Manizales to create and consolidate its current enabling environment for DRM. The argument derives from an analysis of fieldwork data, including semi-structured interviews, participant observation and secondary data, through a critical juncture approach. Focusing on the critical juncture of seasonal heavy rains in 2003, the paper illustrates how institutional changes configured cultural–cognitive, regulatory and normative conditions for the emergence of one of Manizales’ most recognized good practices, the Guardians of the Slope programme.

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 651-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Harte ◽  
Merle Sowman ◽  
Peter Hastings ◽  
Iraphne Childs

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify hazard risks and factors impeding the implementation of disaster risk management policies and strategies in Dontse Yakhe in Hout Bay, South Africa. Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach was selected for this research. Interviews were conducted with community leaders and other relevant government and civil society stakeholders. Insights and perceptions of Dontse Yakhe residents were obtained from a focus group interview. Secondary data sources were reviewed and field observations made. Findings – The findings reveal a number of key risks and a complex web of geographical, political, social and environmental factors, and stakeholder interactions, prioritisations and decision making that has created barriers to the implementation of the aims and objectives of disaster risk management policies and strategies in Dontse Yakhe. Originality/value – The contribution of the research is that it provides insight into the complex factors that are stalling development and infrastructure provision, and implementation of risk reduction strategies, in Dontse Yakhe as outlined in disaster risk management policies and strategies, demonstrating a gap between policy rhetoric and practice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s73-s74
Author(s):  
Mélissa Généreux ◽  
Marc Lafontaine ◽  
Angela Eykelbosh

Introduction:Canada, like many countries, increasingly faces environmental public health (EPH) disasters. Such disasters often require both short- and long-term responses, necessitate evacuation and relocation, cause major environmental impacts, and generate the need for specific knowledge and expertise (chemistry, epidemiology, risk assessment, mental health, etc.).Aim:Given the importance of evidence-based, risk-informed decision making, we aimed to critically assess the integration of EPH expertise and research into each phase of disaster risk management in several Canadian and other jurisdictions.Methods:In-depth interviews were conducted with 23 leaders in disaster risk management from Canada, United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, and were complemented by other methods (i.e. participant observation, information gathered from participation in scientific events, and document review). Three criteria were explored: governance, knowledge creation and translation, and related needs and barriers. An interview guide was developed based on a standardized toolkit from the World Health Organization. Data were analyzed through a four-step content analysis.Results:Six cross-cutting themes emerged from the analysis. These themes are identified as critical factors in successful disaster knowledge management: 1) blending the best of traditional and modern approaches, 2) fostering community engagement; 3) cultivating relationships, 4) investing in preparedness and recovery, 5) putting knowledge into practice, and 6) ensuring sufficient human and financial resources. A wide range of promising knowledge-to-action strategies was also identified, including mentorship programs, communities of practice, advisory groups, systematized learning, and comprehensive repositories of tools and resources.Discussion:There is no single roadmap to incorporate EPH knowledge and expertise into disaster risk management. Our findings suggest that beyond structures and plans, it is necessary to cultivate relationships and share responsibility for ensuring the safety, health, and wellbeing of affected communities while respecting the local culture, capacity, and autonomy. Any such considerations should be incorporated into disaster risk management planning.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osmar Shalih

The world has agreed that people resilience to immediately recover from disaster should be a priority, considering the increase of disaster hazards as well as scientific and technological advances. Disaster impacts and risks can be reduced along with increasing people or community resilience towards hazards. Many studies have examined and measured the level of disaster resilience but have not reached the holistic aspect of sustainable development on a community scale. This study was carried out in the Cisolok District, Sukabumi, a highly landslide-prone region. This study uses a qualitative approach with a conceptual foundation of interpretative geography and also uses primary and secondary data. Primary data are obtained from field observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation. Secondary data are obtained from literature studies in the collection of text and maps of published scientific works such as textbooks and study reports or research papers. The results of the study show that factors influence to disaster resilience are community capacities (social capital, disaster preparedness, and risk knowledge) and the roles of local institutions. Community resilience assessment efforts play a key role to identify less resilient regions as well as identify other factors that need to be considered by the government and all stakeholders to develop an inclusive and integrated disaster risk management framework in reducing disaster impacts and risks.


Author(s):  
Uma Shankar Prasad

Nepal is highly vulnerable to many disasters and substantially increasing every year. It has been creating an adverse impact on human lives, livelihoods, and infrastructures. The primary objective of this study is to state the human causalities and economic loss from disasters in Nepal and suggest institutional and system reforms for effective disaster risk management in the country. This is an analytical study based on secondary data. Data published from various government and non-government organizations are used to analyse the situation. Although the findings of the study reveal that the Government of Nepal has been continuously carrying out many efforts for fighting against various levels of disasters in the country, it concludes that additional efforts are needed from the federal to the local level at all phases of disaster management including preparedness, response, and recovery. It is also important to integrate disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation policies, plans and programmes into national development.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-51
Author(s):  
Merja Rapeli ◽  
Helena Mussalo-Rauhamaa

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the level of disaster preparedness of institutional care and sheltered housing services provided by the private sector in Finland. Design/methodology/approach A web-based questionnaire was completed by businesses producing institutional care and sheltered housing services in Finland. They answered questions on disaster preparedness, impacts of recent hazards, measures taken during the hazards and connections to disaster risk management actors and relatives of their residents during the hazards. Findings The study showed that only 19 percent of the private service providers had a disaster preparedness plan, and only 11 percent reported that it was a requirement agreed on with the service purchaser. The size of the unit predicted only partly the differences in the level of preparedness. The major impacts of storms were on energy supply, leading to disruptions in the daily activities of the services. Practical implications The most vulnerable to disasters are people dependent on others, which include those receiving social services. Consequently, this study recommends that preparedness planning should be legally mandated requirement for all social service providers. In addition, the local governments’ service purchasers should include private services in their disaster preparedness activities. Originality/value Private businesses are increasingly involved in producing social services in Finland; hence, their preparedness to face hazards and connection with disaster risk management partners is vital. This study increases knowledge of private institutional care and sheltered housing services’ disaster preparedness, which has seldom been the focus of studies.


2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bárbara Montoro ◽  
Pedro Ferradas ◽  
Miguel Muñoz ◽  
Douglas Azabache ◽  
Orlando Chuquisengo ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 759-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chung-Hung Tsai ◽  
Shu-Chuan LinLiu

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