scholarly journals Towards improved public awareness for climate related disaster risk reduction in South Africa: A Participatory Development Communication perspective

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tigere Chagutah
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Participatory Development ◽  
Development Communication ◽  
Communication Campaigns

Southern Africa has frequently been struck by damaging climate hazards which increasingly continue to threaten sustainable development efforts. Ominously, climate models predict that the incidence of major ‘wet’ events, such as floods and cyclones will increase in frequency against the background of a changing climate. Unfortunately, local mechanisms for communicating and raising public awareness of the consequent risks and appropriate risk reduction options remain weak. At the core of policy responses to the threat posed by climate related hazards, the South African government has adopted a disaster risk reduction approach to disaster management. This article details how, among many other measures to limit the adverse impacts of natural hazards, South Africa’s National Disaster Management Framework calls for the implementation of effective public awareness activities to increase the knowledge among communities of the risks they face and what risk-minimising actions they can take. Emphasis is laid on the importance of information provision and knowledge building among at-risk communities. Citing established theories and strategies, the author proposes a participatory development communication approach through Development Support Communication strategies for the provision of disaster risk reduction public awareness activities by government and other disaster risk reduction role-players in South Africa. By way of a review of completed studies and literature, the article provides guidance on the planning and execution of successful public communication campaigns and also discusses the constraints of communication campaigns as an intervention for comprehensive disaster risk reduction.

scholarly journals “DISASTER RESILIENT SOCIETY WITH YOUTH” PROJECT OF THE CIVIL DEFENCE ORGANIZATION AIMING DISASTER RISKS REDUCTION

2018 ◽  
Vol XLII-3/W4 ◽  
pp. 205-209
Author(s):  
Y. Eker ◽  
M. Yılmabaşar
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Practical Training ◽  
Turkish Republic ◽  
Sendai Framework ◽  
Civil Defence

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> The loss of lives, injuries and the damage on economies that occur as a result of disasters is increasing due to the changing nature. People need to adopt themselves to be able to resist against disasters. Nevertheless, minimizing the costs of disasters can achieved not individually but rather by a well-organized social system. This requires a decentralized disaster management system that would allow participation of not only central authorities but also widespread volunteers. Also, pre-emptive cautions to raise public awareness and capabilities about how to struggle against disasters are very important component of being well organized. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Civil Defence Organization has constituted the “Disaster Resilient Society with Youth Project” to reduce number of loss of life, injuries and economic loss as global targets envisaged in Sendai Framework for Action. This project is being implemented in line with the objects of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction which is inspired from the principle of “Disaster risk reduction requires an all-of-society engagement and partnership. While the project is managed by Civil Defence Organization, it is implemented by the participation of volunteers. The project is the last phase of a series of projects which have been realized for 35 years in line with the same goal of reducing loss of lives, injuries and economic loss while various concepts targeted to address different levels of the society. The objective of the Project is to firstly choose some individuals and then train them to have disaster consciousness and awareness about disaster management cycle in society. These people would potentially provide support to responding official teams in case of an unexpected disaster. For this reason, the project also involves practical training and practices as complementary to the theoretical education phase. In the first place, a four year road map is determined to improve the project by identifying disruptions and weaknesses compared to similar projects around the world. The establishment of target groups of the Project within youth is important not only to improve the effectiveness of responding phase, but also to maintain a sustainable system for the progression of the Project. In order to encourage and increase the participation of volunteers to the Project, it is planned to issue certificates, badges and prize for those who would be successful during the training phase. In order to achieve the goals of the Project, the project managers seek collaboration of universities, local authorities, central authorities and nongovernmental organizations which are seen as stakeholders.</p>

Disaster risk reduction initiatives in South Africa

2004 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 555-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaco Vermaak ◽  
Dewald van Niekerk
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk

scholarly journals The Hyogo Framework for Action and its implications for disaster management and reduction in Africa

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dejo Olowu
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Global Policy ◽  
The World ◽  
Hyogo Framework For Action ◽  
Economic Assets ◽  
Policy And Planning

At the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, Hyogo, Japan, in January 2005, the international community adopted a 10-year plan to make the world safer from disasters. The resultant Hyogo Framework for Action is the global blueprint for disaster risk reduction with the goal of substantially reducing disaster losses in human lives and socio-economic assets. What is the signi!cance of the HFA for the adoption of disaster prevention, management and risk reduction frameworks in African States? Since 2005, what has been the attitude of African States to the promise of the HFA? In terms of policy and planning, how should African States engage the HFA towards securing human lives and properties against natural and human-induced disasters? With the myriad challenges of mass poverty and underdevelopment across Africa, what implications does the HFA hold for disaster risk reduction and management in African States? This article attempts to address this plethora of questions, drawing on lessons learned in Africa and beyond. The article examines the background of the HFA and its progress in shaping the global policy agenda towards disaster management and reduction. While the article acknowledges some of the inherent weaknesses in the promise of the HFA, it nonetheless accentuates its inimitable implications for broad legal and policy strategies towards ameliorating the usual horrific aftermath of disasters in Africa.

Promoting School’s Recovery and Resilience after the Chi-Chi earthquake

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-627
Author(s):  
Jieh-Jiuh Wang
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Reconstruction Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Framework ◽  
Before And After ◽  
School Reconstruction

PurposeIn the current study, the researchers tracked the steps that were taken (in the past 20 years after the occurrence of the 921 earthquake) to enhance the safety of students and teachers on campus by rebuilding the schools according to higher standards. Additionally, the researchers analyzed the process of school reconstruction in Taiwan after the Chi-Chi earthquake, as well as the resilience of the rebuilt schools.Design/methodology/approachThis paper collected extensive relevant literature to serve as a basis for data analysis. Subsequently, they examined the conditions of selected schools before and after they were affected by the earthquake, as well as the reconstruction process of these schools. The purposive sampling method was also adopted to assemble a unique and representative sample.FindingsThis study concluded a new disaster risk reduction education system in Taiwan, from safe learning facilities, school disaster management and risk reduction and resilience education perspectives. It encouraged school and community collaboration regarding establishing a comprehensive disaster management framework.Originality/valueThe paper kept tracks of how schools recovered and restored after the 921 earthquake based on global disaster management trends and local disaster risk reduction education. It also highlighted the major changes within the school resilience system and the importance of disaster risk reduction education in Taiwan.

scholarly journals Disaster Risk Reduction in Cameroon: Are Contemporary Disaster Management Frameworks Accommodating the Sendai Framework Agenda 2030?

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 462-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Ngenyam Bang ◽  
Lee Stuart Miles ◽  
Richard Duncan Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Resistance Factors ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
Sendai Framework ◽  
Training Research

Abstract Many African countries are prone to numerous hazardous events, exacerbated by the vulnerability of their rapidly increasing population and leading to frequent disasters that often have dire fiscal and development implications. Yet, there is declining sensitivity to these risks, contrary to the conventional wisdom of disaster management (DM) principles. The primary aim of this research is to understand the constraints and/or challenges limiting the ability of contemporary African DM systems/institutional frameworks from implementing adequate disaster risk reduction (DRR) measures. Using a qualitative, case study based research strategy, this research investigates resistance to the effective implementation of DM/DRR within Cameroon’s contemporary DM system by using the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 guiding principles for DRR as benchmark. The findings reveal the existence of resistance factors that particularly complicate the communication, decision making, and coordination of DRR activities, the provision of resources, aspects of international assistance, as well as DRR planning and policies. The authors argue that such resistance factors contribute to making Cameroon’s DM system more reactive and further undermine risk reduction. The article concludes by offering key recommendations that have the potential to alleviate the identified resistance factors as well as strengthen Cameroon’s DM, particularly in relation to capacity building, training, research development, and organizational resilience.

scholarly journals The role of traditional leadership in disaster management and disaster risk governance: A case of Ugu District Municipality by-laws

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nonhlanhla A. Zamisa ◽  
Sybert Mutereko
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
Risk Governance ◽  
Traditional Leaders ◽  
Traditional Leadership

Section 151(2) of the Constitution empowers municipalities in South Africa to pass disaster management-related by-laws. Such by-laws should be specific on the role of traditional leaders, owing to their authority and proximity to the people coupled with their constitutional mandate to preserve customs and traditions. However, their role is often not maximised because of vague and inadequate policies. There has been little or no scholarly attention to the role of traditional leadership and the policy and legal framework that guide their participation in disaster risk management. Employing a comprehensive content analysis of Ugu District Municipality Disaster Management By-law, this article assesses the adequacy of these by-laws on disaster risk governance in the context of collaboration disaster risk reduction. While the Ugu District Municipality Disaster Management By-law provides for the participation of traditional leadership, this study reveals that it is fraught with ambiguities and seemingly vague clauses. For instance, although in Article 5.1.1 the word ‘authorities’ is used, it is not clear whether this refers to traditional leadership or other entities at the local level. In addition, the composition of the Disaster Management Advisory Forum in Ugu does not explicitly include AmaKhosi. While these results add to the rapidly expanding field of disaster risk management, they also suggest several courses of action for policymakers at local government. Such actions might include, but not limited to, a review of the by-laws to address the lack of collaborative essence relative to traditional leaders for optimal disaster risk reduction initiatives targeting traditional communities.

PERAN KELOMPOK RENTAN DALAM PENANGGULANGAN BENCANA DAN PENGURANGAN RESIKO BENCANA DI DESA TANGGUH BENCANA (STUDI DESKRIPTIF SATUAN TUGAS DESA TANGGUH BENCANA DI DESA GUNUNG GEULIS, KECAMATAN SUKARAJA, KABUPATEN BOGOR)

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syadza Alifa ◽  
Arif Wibowo
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Inhibiting Factors ◽  
Depth Interviews

This research discusses about the role of vulnerable groups who are being Task Force in disaster management and disaster risk reduction efforts in Gunung Geulis Village, Bogor Region. This study examine the process of formation of the Task Force, the role of vulnerable groups into the Task Force, and the supporting factors and inhibiting factors of the vulnerable groups into the Task Force. This study is a descriptive study with qualitative methods. The methods used are observation, in-depth interviews, and the study of literature. The end results show that the involvement of vulnerable groups as Task Force has been suitable with the regulation, the Task Force from vulnerable groups are active in disaster management and disaster risk reduction efforts, and supporting factors are likely more as long as their needs are accommodated and customize the tasks according to their capacity.

Considerations and principles for conducting a participatory capacity and vulnerability analysis (PCVA) for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iftekhar Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Vulnerability Analysis ◽  
Participatory Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range

Purpose While there are many such toolkits on community-based participatory methods, the key considerations and principles of conducting a participatory capacity and vulnerability analysis (PCVA) are less covered, yet they are central to the effective conduct of a PCVA, the reason why this paper focuses on such issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper is derived from a toolkit that was produced for Oxfam Australia. Disasters and climate change are major drivers of poverty and significantly affect the communities that development programs of Oxfam Australia aim to assist. Recognising the importance of building its organisational capacity to address these risks, Oxfam Australia initiated and commissioned the production of a PCVA toolkit to support disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation programs; the production of the toolkit was led by the author. The methodology of producing the toolkit consisted of discussions with experts and a review of similar toolkits. Findings Details of the PCVA process and how to conduct one in a community setting are provided including PCVA concepts, briefing, logistics and management and principles of working with communities. Importantly, the different stages of conducting a PCVA are explained, and some selected tools are presented as illustrative examples. In conclusion, the importance of the PCVA considerations and principles are reaffirmed vis-à-vis the sensitivity and soft skills required in a low-income developing country setting. Originality/value The participatory development approach, which the toolkit follows, has been widely advocated for the past few decades and most non-governmental organisations involved in community development espouse this approach. Consequently, a wide range of participatory development toolkits have been developed, many of which relate to disasters and climate change. The PCVA toolkit discussed in this paper draws on the repertoire of toolkits already available and used over a long time. Nonetheless, effort was given to assembling a range of tools that were most suitable for the purpose of this particular PCVA toolkit. Instead of focussing on the tools, which are available from the freely downloadable toolkit and available in the public domain, in this paper, the PCVA process and its main principles are explained, and the key considerations to carry out an effective PCVA is discussed. Perhaps even more than the actual tools, these considerations and an understanding of the PCVA principles are significant because they underpin the utilisation of the toolkit.

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