scholarly journals Uncovering ‘Community’: Challenging an Elusive Concept in Development and Disaster Related Work

Societies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Titz ◽  
Terry Cannon ◽  
Fred Krüger
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Practical Work ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
The People ◽  
Inherent Ambiguity ◽  
Elusive Concept

In all areas of academic or practical work related to disaster risk, climate change and development more generally, community and its adjunct community-based have become the default terminology when referring to the local level or working ‘with the people’. The terms are applied extensively to highlight what is believed to be a people-centred, participatory, or grassroot-level approach. Today, despite, or because of, its inherent ambiguity, ‘community’ tends to be used almost inflationarily. This paper aims to analyse the way the concept of ‘community’ has come into fashion, and to critically reflect on the problems that come with it. We are raising significant doubts about the usefulness of ‘community’ in development- and disaster-related work. Our approach is to first consider how ‘community’ has become popular in research and with humanitarian agencies and other organisations based on what can be considered a ‘moral licence’ that supposedly guarantees that the actions being taken are genuinely people-centred and ethically justified. We then explore several theoretical approaches to ‘community’, highlight the vast scope of different (and contested) views on what ‘community’ entails, and explain how ‘community’ is framing practical attempts to mitigate vulnerability and inequity. We demonstrate how these attempts are usually futile, and sometimes harmful, due to the blurriness of ‘community’ concepts and their inherent failure to address the root causes of vulnerability. From two antagonistic positions, we finally advocate more meaningful ways to acknowledge vulnerable people’s views and needs appropriately.

scholarly journals Enhancing resilience through capacity building in LCCAP formulation in the local government of Aurora, Philippines

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan M. Pulhin ◽  
Maricel A. Tapia-Villamayor ◽  
Catherine L. de Luna ◽  
Rex Victor O. Cruz ◽  
Aileen S. Peria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Collaborative Advantage

Climate Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) and Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) provide the scientific and legal platform for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the Philippines. This APN CAPaBLE project responds to the limited technical capacity of local government units (LGUs) to comply with this requirement through collaborative capacity building. Evaluation of CDRA and LCCAP led to a National Interagency Technical and Policy Forum to formulate action plans and fast-track preparations. The initial stage of the project demonstrated collaborative advantage as a condition for mobilizing human and financial resources was enabled. Collaborative inertia set in once the technical limitations of Aurora LGUs surfaced to complete the CDRA. This mirrored the results of the institutional capacity survey, administered to 87 disaster risk reduction and management Technical Working Group (TWG) members, highlighting the LGUs limitations in data availability and functional knowledge on climate change. Thus, a shift in capacity building strategy through focused mentoring and managing LGU expectations was done. The Aurora LGUs successfully completed its CDRA and LCCAP requirements through a lengthy and arduous process. It was acknowledged that CDRA preparation has a steep learning curve and competes heavily with other multiple functions and pressing demands from the LGUs. The national interagency forum resolution suggested that the CDRA be assigned to another government agency while LGUs shift capacity development initiatives to understanding and mainstreaming scientific assessment into local plans. The project experience highlights the difficult, yet promising, path to human security development and resilience building and underscored prudence and urgency of adaptation planning at the local level.

Community-based Disaster Management and Its Salient Features: A Policy Approach to People-centred Risk Reduction in Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Abul Kalam Azad ◽  
M. Salim Uddin ◽  
Sabrina Zaman ◽  
Mirza Ali Ashraf
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Community Resilience ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Government

The discourse of disaster management has undergone significant change in recent years, shifting from relief and response to disaster risk reduction (DRR) and community-based management. Organisations and vulnerable countries engaged in DRR have moved from a reactive, top-down mode to proactive, community-focused disaster management. In this article, we focus on how national disaster management policy initiatives in Bangladesh are implementing community-based approaches at the local level and developing cross-scale partnerships to reduce disaster risk and vulnerability, thus enhancing community resilience to disasters. We relied chiefly on secondary data, employing content analysis for reviewing documents, which were supplemented by primary data from two coastal communities in Kalapara Upazila in Patuakhali District. Our findings revealed that to address the country’s vulnerabilities to natural disasters, the Government of Bangladesh has developed and implemented numerous national measures and policies over the years with the aim of strengthening community-focused risk reduction, decentralising disaster management, developing cross-scale partnerships and enhancing community resilience. Communities are working together to achieve an all-hazard management goal, accepting ownership to reduce vulnerability and actively participating in risk-reduction strategies at multiple levels. Community-based disaster preparedness activities are playing a critical role in developing their adaptive capacity and resilience to disasters. Further policy and research are required for a closer examination of the dynamics of community-based disaster management, the role of local-level institutions and community organisations in partnerships and resilience building for successful disaster management.

scholarly journals The Initiatives of Local Government Units (LGUs) in Batangas on Climate Change

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer G. Manalo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Change Initiatives ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

The local government units in the Philippines are at the forefront of disaster management including responding to the impacts of climate change. With the necessity to address this problem, this study aimed to determine the initiatives of the local government units (LGUs) in Batangas on climate change. The study made use of descriptive research which involved quantitative and qualitative methods in gathering data. Research triangulation was used. The subjects of the study were the Disaster Risk Reduction Management and planning officers of three component cities and twenty-seven municipalities of Batangas. Frequency counts, percentages, and average weighted mean were used in the statistical analysis of data. Results of the study revealed that LGUs in Batangas comply with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. LGUs to organize disaster risk reduction and management councils at the local level. Likewise, cities and municipalities of Batangas implement policies through local ordinances to adopt and strengthen RA 9003. They are implementing initiatives that encourage businesses to promote climate-smart services and practices. Assessment of farming practices, extension services and linkages with GOs, NGOs and other agencies in the implementation of climate change initiatives needs to be improved.

Climate change adaptation-disaster risk reduction nexus: case study from Ethiopia

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 829-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Million Gebreyes ◽  
Kindie Tesfaye ◽  
Beneberu Feleke
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ipcc Report

Purpose The recently released fifth IPCC report indicates a high agreement among global actors on the need to integrate climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR). However, there remains little local level evidence on how DRR and CCA could be linked, the sorts of adjustments that are required for the two concepts to be integrated and the challenges ahead. This paper aims to provide an empirical insight on the possible links and departures between DRR and CCA. Design/methodology/approach The study used a qualitative case study approach to excavate lessons from an existing DRR intervention for CCA using a local-level adaptive capacity assessment framework as a normative criteria. Data was collected both from primary and secondary sources. The primary data collection involved the use of participatory rural appraisal techniques with village communities in Chifra District, Afar Regional State, Ethiopia. Findings The findings showed that the DRR interventions studied addressed parts of the elements of adaptive capacity at the local level. The findings also showed the limitation of the DRR intervention, which could be attributed to both the nature of the DRR interventions in general and implementation problems of the case study intervention in particular. The limitations show cases where full integration of DRR with CCA could be challenging. Originality/value The paper argues why the two approaches may not be integrated fully and also shows the need to focus on the design of DRR interventions in achieving both short-term (reducing disaster risks) and long-term objectives (enhancing adaptive capacity).

scholarly journals Exploring Community Engagement in Climate Change Planning: The Case in Samoa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Annie Saofaiga Toailoa
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Local Level ◽  
National Level ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Adaptation Planning ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Research Findings

<p>Coastal communities within Pacific Island Countries (PIC) are vulnerable due to the rising and volatile nature of the sea as a result of climate change. Adaptation strategies and community-based approaches have increasingly been advocated for by environmental organisations, policy makers and researchers. Community-based approaches have, in turn, begun to promote the values of meaningful community engagement and integration of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into adaptation planning. This research explores the extent to which community engagement and TEK is utilised at both the national and local level adaptation planning in Samoa. An assessment of policies and plans assesses the national level context, whilst the community level context was explored through a study of the coastal village of Tafitoala.  A qualitative approach is employed in which semi-structured interviews were used to collect the perspectives of community members, government personnel, and Non-governmental Organisations (NGO) staff to provide a range of viewpoints.  Using Samoa as my case study, the research findings demonstrated that community ideologies and values, and community governance structures determine the efficacy of adaptation programmes. Findings also emphasised that although there is a vast amount of TEK used within local communities, documentation and verification of TEK is required in order for it be integrated more effectively into adaptation planning. Whilst the need for meaningful community engagement had already been identified by government and NGO agencies as a priority for effective adaptation, with agencies currently implementing strategies to encourage its integration, more is required for strategies to be strongly embedded into the practices of local communities.</p>

scholarly journals Integrating community based disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation: examples from the Pacific

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Gero ◽  
K. Méheux ◽  
D. Dominey-Howes
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Aid Effectiveness ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Pacific

Abstract. It is acknowledged by academics and development practitioners alike that many common strategies addressing community based disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation duplicate each other. Thus, there is a strong push to integrate the two fields to enhance aid effectiveness and reduce confusion for communities. Examples of community based disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) projects are presented to highlight some of the ways these issues are tackled in the Pacific. Various approaches are employed but all aim to reduce the vulnerability and enhance the resilience of local communities to the impacts of climate change and disasters. By focusing on three case studies, elements of best practice are drawn out to illustrate how DRR and CCA can be integrated for enhanced aid effectiveness, and also look at ways in which these two often overlapping fields can be better coordinated in ongoing and future projects. Projects that address vulnerability holistically, and target the overall needs and capacity of the community are found to be effective in enhancing the resilience of communities. By strategically developing a multi-stakeholder and multi-sector approach, community projects are likely to encapsulate a range of experience and skills that will benefit the community. Furthermore, by incorporating local knowledge, communities are far more likely to be engaged and actively participate in the project. From selected case studies, commonly occurring best practice methods to integrate DRR and CCA are identified and discussed and recommendations on how to overcome the common challenges also presented.

scholarly journals Empowerment On Climate Change: How Community Based Organizations Serving In Growing participation from society

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Friska Indria Nora ◽  
Mahfuzi Irwan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
Family Environment ◽  
Community Based ◽  
West Java ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
Community Based Organizations ◽  
The People ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Village

Climate change is not something scary, dangerous. Urgent, exceptional and most importantly is that climate change was not known when it happened. And the thing to do is not frightened by the climate change, but it must be to explain to the people and groups that climate change is inevitable and things to do is to minimize the impact of climate change. One of them is by not cutting down trees carelessly, can manage waste and preserve family environment such as that done by the community Pangerwangi village, Lembang, West Java. The village which has been awarded as the climate village for being able to survive and adapt to climate change .. Because the essence of Kampung climate is how the community to survive and adapt to the climate because it is people who have to adjust to the climate. And achievements that have been achieved not in spite of community participation and community-based organizations.

scholarly journals Exploring Community Engagement in Climate Change Planning: The Case in Samoa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Annie Saofaiga Toailoa
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Local Level ◽  
National Level ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Adaptation Planning ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Research Findings

<p>Coastal communities within Pacific Island Countries (PIC) are vulnerable due to the rising and volatile nature of the sea as a result of climate change. Adaptation strategies and community-based approaches have increasingly been advocated for by environmental organisations, policy makers and researchers. Community-based approaches have, in turn, begun to promote the values of meaningful community engagement and integration of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into adaptation planning. This research explores the extent to which community engagement and TEK is utilised at both the national and local level adaptation planning in Samoa. An assessment of policies and plans assesses the national level context, whilst the community level context was explored through a study of the coastal village of Tafitoala.  A qualitative approach is employed in which semi-structured interviews were used to collect the perspectives of community members, government personnel, and Non-governmental Organisations (NGO) staff to provide a range of viewpoints.  Using Samoa as my case study, the research findings demonstrated that community ideologies and values, and community governance structures determine the efficacy of adaptation programmes. Findings also emphasised that although there is a vast amount of TEK used within local communities, documentation and verification of TEK is required in order for it be integrated more effectively into adaptation planning. Whilst the need for meaningful community engagement had already been identified by government and NGO agencies as a priority for effective adaptation, with agencies currently implementing strategies to encourage its integration, more is required for strategies to be strongly embedded into the practices of local communities.</p>

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