Minding Mental Health in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management: Enhancing Resistance Through Disaster Prevention, Mitigation, and Preparedness

2020 ◽  
pp. 53-71
Author(s):  
Elirozz Carlie Labaria ◽  
Avegale Acosta ◽  
Charlotte Kendra Gotangco
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Prevention

An Approach to Next-Generation Water Disaster Study – In Commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of ICHARM –

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1031-1031
Author(s):  
Toshio Koike ◽  
◽  
Kuniyoshi Takeuchi ◽  
Shinji Egashira
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Prevention ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation ◽  
Drought Prediction ◽  
Water Disaster

In March 2015, the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction adopted the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction with a two-part goal: to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks through the implementation of integrated and inclusive measures that prevent and reduce hazard exposure and vulnerability to disaster, and to increase preparedness for response and recovery, thus strengthening resilience. The first priority for action was given to ”understanding disaster risk,” including focusing on the collection and use of data, risk assessment, disaster prevention education, and awareness raising. The stance of emphasizing science and technology was clearly expressed. In September 2015, the UN Summit meeting adopted the 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Four of the 17 goals include targets related to disaster prevention and mitigation, which has given rise to active discussions over measurement methods and indicators for the targets. The Paris Conference of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21), held from the end of November to early December 2015, placed an emphasis on the importance of science and technology in both mitigation and adaptation. In light of these international discussions and their outcomes, we called for papers on the following three topics for this special edition featuring water disasters. (1) Prevention of new water disaster risks: rainfall prediction, flood and drought prediction, river bed change prediction, climate change, land use plans, etc. (2) Reduction of existing water disaster risks: disaster data and statistics, risk monitoring, risk assessment, etc. (3) Resilience reinforcement and inclusive measures: disaster recovery, risk communication, competence development, etc. Nineteen papers were applied to this special issue. All papers were peer reviewed, and sixteen papers are included herein. We received invaluable comments and suggestions for all applications from the points of view of various fields from many experts in Japan and overseas. We would like to express our gratitude for these.

scholarly journals Tailoring Disaster Risk Reduction for Adolescents: Perspectives from China and Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s71-s71
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Newnham ◽  
Xue Gao ◽  
Jessica Tearne ◽  
Bhushan Guragain ◽  
Feng Jiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Adolescent Participation

Introduction:More than half of the world’s youth live in the Asia Pacific region, yet efforts to reduce disaster risk for adolescents are hindered by an absence of age-specific data on protection, health, and engagement.Aim:China and Nepal have faced a recent escalation in the number of climatic and geological hazards affecting urban and rural communities. We aimed to examine disaster-related threats experienced by adolescents and their caregivers in China and Nepal, determine the scope for adolescent participation, and elicit recommendations for improving disaster risk reduction.Methods:Sixty-nine adolescents (51% female, ages 13-19) and 72 adults (47% female, ages 22-66) participated in key informant interviews and focus group discussions in disaster-affected areas of southern China and Nepal. Using inductive content analysis, several themes were identified as key to adolescents’ needs.Results:Security and protection emerged as a central issue, interlinked with preparedness, timely and equitable disaster response, psychosocial support, and adolescent participation. The mental health risks emerging from trauma exposure were substantial. Adolescents made extensive contributions to disaster response including involvement in rescue efforts and delivering first aid, rebuilding homes and caring for family members. Participants forwarded a number of recommendations, including investing in psychological support, skills training, and stronger systems of protection for those at risk of family separation, trafficking, or removal from school.Discussion:The findings informed a multilevel, interconnected model for disaster risk reduction tailored to adolescents’ needs. Supporting adolescents’ recovery and long-term resilience after humanitarian crises will require coordinated efforts in preparedness, security, and mental health care.

Introductory Remarks by Katja Samuel

2019 ◽  
Vol 113 ◽  
pp. 127-128
Author(s):  
Katja Samuel
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Prevention ◽  
Cost Estimates ◽  
Insurance Sector ◽  
Sendai Framework

The scale and impact of disasters is rising exponentially, with insurance sector cost estimates for “natural” disasters increasing from $188 billion (2016) to $300 billion (2017). In response, the global shift since the 1990s, reflected in the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (2015–2030), has been toward concentrating resources on disaster prevention and mitigation, including through improved preparedness and response mechanisms.

Consideration of Evacuation Drills Utilizing the Capabilities of People with Special Needs

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 794-801
Author(s):  
Takashi Sugiyama ◽  
Katsuya Yamori ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Special Needs ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Mountainous Area ◽  
Disaster Prevention ◽  
Mountainous Regions ◽  
Evacuation Drills ◽  
Evacuation Behaviors

People with special needs are at higher risk during a disaster than those without because of delayed disaster evacuation behaviors. Therefore, one of the top priorities in the field of disaster risk reduction is implementing evacuation support for the people with special needs. However, assistance is often limited, especially in areas with declining and aging populations. In addition, past evacuation activities for people with special needs have tended to focus on the barriers they face and assistance they need during evacuation rather than their utilizable capabilities. Therefore, this study considers evacuation drills that utilize the capabilities of people with special needs. An “indoor evacuation drill” was developed and the evacuation behaviors of residents with special needs were analyzed. An indoor evacuation drill is defined as an evacuation activity that participants carry out within their own homes – for example, evacuating from the bedroom to an exit. In coastal areas, such a drill helps residents prepare to evacuate their homes in case of a tsunami, while in mountainous regions, it helps them prepare for evacuation to the upper floors in case of a landslide. The study participants were residents of Hamamachi ward (a coastal area) and Kumai ward (a mountainous area) in Kuroshio town, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. The results indicate that an indoor evacuation drill conducted in the participants’ living area, such as the entrance or second floor of their home, is easier to implement than usual disaster evacuation drills, and helps people with special needs regain autonomy in disaster risk reduction activities. Moreover, the participation rate of the target population in local evacuation drills increased after participating in the indoor evacuation drills. Existing evacuation drills often overlook people with special needs, and delays in disaster prevention for this population are often associated with their lack of interest in related activities. However, the results of this study suggest that disaster prevention activities themselves sometimes overlook the challenges faced by people with special needs and prevent them from participating.

scholarly journals The Integration of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and Disaster Risk Reduction: A Mapping and Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon Gray ◽  
Fahmy Hanna ◽  
Lennart Reifels
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Current Implementation ◽  
Awareness Raising ◽  
Mapping Exercise

The field of disaster and emergency management has shifted in focus towards the goal of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). However, the degree to which the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) field has followed this trend is relatively unknown. Therefore, the objectives of this review were to identify relevant projects, materials, and publications relating to MHPSS and DRR integration and define current domains of action in this integration. A review was conducted using a two-pronged approach for data collection. This approach included 1) a mapping exercise eliciting relevant documentation and project descriptions from MHPSS actors, and 2) a database and internet literature search. The mapping exercise was conducted between January and November 2019, while the literature search was completed in March 2019. The majority of identified materials concerned actions of capacity and systems building; preparedness; policy development, consensus building, and awareness raising; school- and child-focused DRR; inclusive DRR; and resilience promotion. Results also suggested that relatively little consensus exists in terms of formal definitions of and frameworks or guidance for integrating MHPSS and DRR. Moreover, domains of action varied in terms of current implementation practices and empirical evidence. Materials and projects are reviewed and discussed in terms of implications for advancing the integration of DRR and MHPSS and expanding MHPSS approaches to include building better before emergencies.

scholarly journals Sustainable Community Development for Disaster Resilience and Human Resources Development for Disaster Risk Reduction – Growth and Community Contribution of the Katahira Children’s Board for Community Development –

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 931-942
Author(s):  
Takeshi Sato ◽  
Aiko Sakurai ◽  
Yuki Sadaike ◽  
Risa Yanagiya ◽  
Hitoshi Konno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Development ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Human Resources Development ◽  
Disaster Prevention ◽  
Sustainable Community Development ◽  
Community Contribution ◽  
Resources Development

This paper describes the Fourth Disaster Prevention Treasure Hunt, which took place at the Second World Bosai Forum in November 2019, as an event related to the Sendai Disaster Prevention Future Forum. In particular, we focus on the growth and community contribution of the Katahira Children’s Board for Community Development, among other efforts in human resources development for disaster management undertaken by the Katahira Community Development Association. In tandem with Children’s Board, the “Disaster Risk Reduction × Treasure Hunting Game” serves as a model for sustainable activities for disaster risk reduction. We believe that this model can contribute to the global promotion of community-based, self-directed, and sustainable activities for disaster risk reduction.

Linking mental health and psychosocial support and disaster risk reduction

Intervention ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ananda Galappatti ◽  
Stephen M. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Disaster Risk

scholarly journals Incorporating Mental Health Research into Disaster Risk Reduction: An Online Training Module for the Hazards and Disaster Workforce

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1244
Author(s):  
Candace M. Evans ◽  
Rachel M. Adams ◽  
Lori Peek
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Training ◽  
Training Module ◽  
Health Training

There is an expansive and growing body of literature that examines the mental health consequences of disasters and large-scale emergencies. There is a need, however, for more explicit incorporation of mental health research into disaster risk reduction practices. Training and education programs can serve as a bridge to connect academic mental health research and the work of disaster risk reduction practitioners. This article describes the development and evaluation of one such intervention, the CONVERGE Disaster Mental Health Training Module, which provides users from diverse academic and professional backgrounds with foundational knowledge on disaster mental health risk factors, mental health outcomes, and psychosocial well-being research. Moreover, the module helps bridge the gap between research and practice by describing methods used to study disaster mental health, showcasing examples of evidence-based programs and tools, and providing recommendations for future research. Since its initial release on 8 October 2019, 317 trainees from 12 countries have completed the Disaster Mental Health Training Module. All trainees completed a pre- and post-training questionnaire regarding their disaster mental health knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests demonstrated a significant increase in all three measures after completion of the training module. Students, emerging researchers or practitioners, and trainees with a high school/GED education level experienced the greatest benefit from the module, with Kruskal–Wallis results indicating significant differences in changes in knowledge and skills across the groups. This evaluation research highlights the effectiveness of the Disaster Mental Health Training Module in increasing knowledge, skills, and attitudes among trainees. This article concludes with a discussion of how this training can support workforce development and ultimately contribute to broader disaster risk reduction efforts.

scholarly journals Mini Special Issue on NIED Frontier Research on Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience 2021

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1045-1045
Author(s):  
Haruo Hayashi ◽  
Hiroyuki Fujiwara
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Slope Failure ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Flood Damage ◽  
Mode Shapes ◽  
Disaster Prevention ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Survey Report

We are very pleased to publish this Mini Special Issue, dedicated to NIED Frontier Research on Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience 2021. Three papers and one survey report are included. Miura et al. indicate the scope of disaster prevention covered by the new courses of study in the field of disaster prevention. By visualizing the contents of classification and analysis, they propose how to handle the scope of disaster prevention in disaster prevention learning in consideration of the comprehensiveness to solve the problems. In the second paper, a case study on flood damage in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture, Mizui and Fujiwara analyze a method of immediately determining the amount of waste disposal work and the number of residents and disaster volunteers required in the event of a disaster. Fujiwara et al. study the feasibility of estimating damage to large-spanned building structures by conducting shake table tests on a small gymnasium model with simulated damage and measuring the natural frequencies and mode shapes. Onoue et al., in a work published as a survey report, present a method for analyzing slope displacement by using the distance image data of a depth camera. They indicate the possibility of detecting minute changes that can precede slope failure. We hope this issue provides information useful to all readers who study natural disasters.

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