Disaster preparedness of private social services: case Finland

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-51
Author(s):  
Merja Rapeli ◽  
Helena Mussalo-Rauhamaa
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Institutional Care ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
Sheltered Housing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Housing Services

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.

scholarly journals Stop going around in circles: towards a reconceptualisation of disaster risk management phases

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Bosher ◽  
Ksenia Chmutina ◽  
Dewald van Niekerk
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
End Point ◽  
Management Concept ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Disaster Event

PurposeThe way that disasters are managed, or indeed mis-managed, is often represented diagrammatically as a “disaster cycle”. The cyclical aspects of the disaster (risk) management concept, comprised of numerous operational phases, have, in recent years, been criticised for conceptualising and representing disasters in an overly simplistic way that typically starts with a disaster “event” – and subsequently leads onto yet another disaster. Such cyclical thinking has been proven to not be very useful for the complexities associated with understanding disasters and their risks. This paper aims to present an alternative conceptualisation of the Disaster Risk Management phases, in a way that can better factor in the underlying root causes that create differential levels of vulnerability.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual paper developed, through a review of the literature and discussions between the authors, as a counterpoint to the pervasive “disaster cycle”.FindingsThe “Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Helix” is presented as an alternative way of conceptualising the DRM phases. The helictical conceptualisation of DRM phases presented in this paper is intentionally presented to start a discussion (rather than as an end point) on how best to move away from the constraints of the “disaster cycle”.Originality/valueIt is envisaged that the helictical conceptualisation of DRM can be suitably malleable to include important factors such as temporal considerations and the underlying root causes that create differential levels of vulnerability. It is, thus, the intention that the DRM Helix can provide a catalyst for exciting discussions and future adaptations of the diagram that can better capture the dynamic (non-cyclical) nature of disasters and their root causes.

scholarly journals Assessing Importance of Disaster Preparedness Factors for Sustainable Disaster Risk Management: The Case of the Slovak Republic

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 9121
Author(s):  
Michal Titko ◽  
Jozef Ristvej
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
General Public ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
The Public

Regarding the prognoses of disasters in the future connected with climate change, disaster risk management (DRM) is becoming one of the decisive elements of sustainable development. The possibility of involving the general public to DRM implementation is, currently, a frequently discussed topic. In particular, population preparedness for the involvement of the public is questionable and, therefore, the understanding of the conditions that facilitate public preparedness for disasters is decisive. This article presents the results of research that investigates the factors affecting (1) the objective preparedness of the population, as well as (2) the subjective perception of our preparedness for disasters. The statistical analysis discovered that both sides of the public’s preparedness depended especially on their experience with disasters, the awareness of the possible risks and appropriate procedures to solve situations, and the economic potential of the households. The results emphasize the need to support the process of increasing the awareness of risks and the possible preventive procedures that can be carried out before disasters by the public, including the more economically vulnerable groups. In this area, the collaboration of the responsible authorities and general public is very desirable. Therefore, our study and its results can serve as a support for creating the DRM policies and sustainable development.

Considering socio-cultural factors of disaster risk management

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 464-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Oliver Kasdan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
National Level ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Emergency Managers ◽  
Research Scholarship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between factors of socio-cultural contexts and disaster risk. Recent efforts by international organizations and research scholarship have emphasized that applying contextual understandings of human behavior can improve the effectiveness of disaster risk management (DRM). Design/methodology/approach – The research employs multiple correlation analysis to find significant relationships between two sources of socio-cultural data and the World Risk Index scores. Findings – There are interesting relationships between various measures of socio-cultural context and disaster risk, such as correlations with levels of individualism, self-expression, and secular-rational values. Research limitations/implications – While using the broadest sample available with the data sources, generalizations about the relationships must be tempered as inherently anecdotal and needing greater depth of study. The national level of analysis is controversial. Practical implications – Emergency managers can extend the knowledge about socio-cultural influences on disaster risk to tailor policy for effective practices. Social implications – Societies may recognize their behaviors as being conducive or obstructive to DRM based on their socio-cultural characteristics; governments may operationalize the findings into policy responses for more nuanced mitigation efforts. Originality/value – This research adds to the momentum for considering non-technical approaches to DRM and expands the potential for social science derived variables in DRM.

Barriers to risk reduction: Dontse Yakhe, South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 651-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Harte ◽  
Merle Sowman ◽  
Peter Hastings ◽  
Iraphne Childs
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Management Policies ◽  
Stakeholder Interactions

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.

Governance in the Sendai: a way ahead?

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Raju ◽  
Karen da Costa
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sendai Framework

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify how governance and accountability have been addressed in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015-2030. Design/methodology/approach The research is mainly based on the analysis of the SFDRR; scientific literature, particularly recent publications covering the SFDRR. The paper also takes into account grey literature. Findings The SFDRR does address issues of governance and accountability in disasters. However, more needs to be done to translate it into practice – particularly with regard to accountability. Originality/value The paper covers a topic that has not attracted considerable academic attention, despite the fact that the need to address accountability in disaster risk management, notably in DRR, has been generally acknowledged. By addressing governance and accountability in the most recent international DRR framework the paper adds value to the literature.

Reconstruction of heritage in Bhaktapur, Nepal: examining tensions and negotiations between the “local” and the “global”

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanicka Arora
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Disaster Recovery ◽  
Local Politics ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Built Heritage ◽  
2015 Gorkha Earthquake ◽  
Post Disaster

PurposeCultural heritage, specifically built heritage – including monuments, urban ensembles, religious and palatial complexes – has emerged as a central focus of tensions and negotiations within the post-disaster recovery landscape in Nepal following the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake. This not only reflects a growing recognition of heritage within international disaster risk management frameworks, but also responds to the critical role played by heritage at national, regional and local levels. The paper aims to examine the entangled realities of “local” and “global” operating in ongoing reconstruction of built heritage in Bhaktapur, Nepal.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is an account of reconstruction practices observed in Bhaktapur between 2018 and 2020. It is based on data collected by layering ethnographic methods with textual and historical analysis. In seeking to analyse manifestations of global and local, the author presents reflections from fieldwork carried over seven months in Bhaktapur and describes the micro-politics enacted out between researcher, heritage custodians, translators, intermediaries and participants.FindingsReconstruction of built heritage in Bhaktapur negotiates between developmentalist-paradigms of post-disaster recovery, heritage conservation discourses as well as religious and quotidian practices of care. It is simultaneously informed by global institutions and policy and local politics and aspirations that operate in constant tension and negotiation.Originality/valueThe current study responds to the call for reframing research agendas and practices set out in the Disaster Studies Manifesto by critically engaging with ideas of local and global. The study builds on the growing body of research linking heritage with disaster risk management.

Building Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia: A Way Forward

2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-147
Author(s):  
Earl Kessler
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
Disaster Mitigation ◽  
Urban Disaster ◽  
Domestic Capital

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) was established in 1986. It was restructured in July 2003 to focus on specific technical areas: climate variability and change management, urban disaster risk management, public health in emergencies, building national and provincial disaster management systems, and community based disaster risk management (CBDRM), promoting regional cooperation, identifying disaster risk management (DRM) needs in the region and developing strategic solutions. The consolidation enables ADPC's teams to work more effectively with stakeholders and build cross-team inputs into their work. Multiple hazards under this new thematic approach are a key concept along with new areas of importance to DRM that include chemical, biological and radio-nuclear risks, heritage and disaster mitigation, and the role of domestic capital markets in financing improvements in the built environment to create a safer, more disaster-resilient world. The terms “risk management”, “risk reduction”, “vulnerability reduction”, “capacity building” and “mitigation” began replacing the reactive term “disaster management”, thus making pro-active DRM in Asia part of the development agenda that must deal with the growing variety and intensity of hazards. It was a shift from short-term, reactive, charity-driven responses to long-term, proactive, development initiatives. Making the right development choices requires coordinated efforts by committed leaders who have the political will and determination to include risk reduction measures in their policies and plans; a corporate sector that will prioritise risk issues and include them into their business plans; scientists who will provide the knowledge and understanding of current and new areas of risk reduction; committed non-government agencies that advocate for risk reduction; educators who are responsible for shaping the awareness of future generations; a mass media that has the power to influence and change behaviour; and informed citizens who make choices about the risks in their lives.

scholarly journals Planning of a Health Emergency Disaster Risk Management Programme for a Chinese Ethnic Minority Community

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1046
Author(s):  
Greta Tam ◽  
Emily Chan ◽  
Sida Liu
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
Oral Rehydration ◽  
Minority Community ◽  
Disaster Experience ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Interactive Workshop

Rural populations living in poverty are the most vulnerable to disaster. Despite this increased risk of recurrent disaster, previous disaster experience is not a good predictor for disaster preparedness in these populations. This was evidenced on 31 August 2012, when a major flood occurred in Sichuan, China. A health needs assessment carried out in December 2012 showed that residents of Hongyan village, a Yi-minority community in Sichuan lacked disaster preparedness. This indicated that measures were necessary to improve Health Emergency Disaster Risk Management (Health-EDRM) in the community. Nutbeam’s planning model for health promotion was used to guide the development of a Health-EDRM programme at Hongyan Village, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan. Relevant information was obtained from sources such as literature review, household surveys and stakeholder interviews. A team of stakeholders conducted an interactive workshop to train villagers on disaster preparedness in March 2014. Disaster kits and equipment for Oral Rehydration Solution preparation were handed out to villagers.

Learning lab on disaster risk management for sustainable development (DRM-SD)

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 600-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Firdaus Ahmad Shabudin ◽  
Sharifah Nurlaili Farhana Syed Azhar ◽  
Theam Foo Ng
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Analytical Skills ◽  
Planning Framework

Purpose A series of “learning lab” projects on disaster risk management for sustainable development (DRM-SD) have been accomplished from 2014 to 2016 in Malaysia, Vietnam, Lao PDR and Cambodia by the Centre for Global Sustainability Studies. The project is designed for professionals from the disaster risk management field to encourage integration of sustainable development (SD) concerns into the larger planning framework for DRM. As a case study for capacity building (CB) evaluation, the central purpose of this study is to explore the approaches, feedbacks and implications of the DRM-SD CB project that have been developed and carried out. Design/methodology/approach Three methods have been used which are participation observations, surveys and document analysis. The results show that the project had successfully applied seven different tools to enhance analytical skills and professional knowledge of development practitioners in specific areas of DRM-SD. Findings Based on the survey, the project received positive response and valuable information from participants for future project development. Regarding the perspective of outcomes, the result indicates that south–south, ASEAN regional and triangular cooperation and role of higher education in DRM-SD are significant impacts from this project which can bring several benefits and should be promoted as an approach for the DRM-CB project as a whole. Originality/value It is hoped that this study will serve as a transfer learning initiative to provide approach guidelines and innovative mechanisms for DRM practitioners who will have the know-how and potential for leadership in DRM-SD.

Assessment of disaster risk management in Mexico

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio O. Saldana-Zorrilla
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
Agricultural Insurance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Suggestions ◽  
Risk Reduction Measures ◽  
Integral Assessment ◽  
National Governments

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a set of policy suggestions for integrating risk management and increasing risk reduction measures and planning. Design/methodology/approach – It bases on a brief description of the disaster risk management programs in Mexico, a review of their recent available assessments as well as it makes a brief economic analysis of their performance to conclude with some policy suggestions. Findings – Despite its novel design, the still low penetration of governmental instruments for disaster risk reduction in Mexico has led to high society’s reliance on post-disaster measures. It has encouraged moral risk among potential victims. Even when crop insurance has increased coverage over the past decade, disaster prevention instruments are still underused. Accessing to prevention funding requires project proposals from national and sub-national governments based on concrete risk assessments. However, the prevailing lack of institutional capacity to elaborate proposals from sub-national governments seems to explain it at a large extent. The paper provides a set of suggestions on this regard. Originality/value – There is no recent integral assessment of disaster risk in Mexico. Although there is a recent OECD review of the National Civil Protection System, its analysis leaves out the catastrophic agricultural insurance, critical part of comprehensive risk management of a country. On the other hand, there are recent evaluations of programs public for disaster risk management, but these consist of only individual program evaluations, lacking integrative and comparative analysis. Thus, this paper provides a comprehensive view of government risk management and concludes with a series of policy recommendations.

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