scholarly journals Governance of disaster risk reduction in Cameroon: The need to empower local government

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry N. Bang
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Risk Reduction Strategies ◽  
The Impact

The impact of natural hazards and/or disasters in Cameroon continues to hit local communities hardest, but local government lacks the ability to manage disaster risks adequately. This is partly due to the fact that the necessity to mainstream disaster risk reduction into local governance and development practices is not yet an underlying principle of Cameroon’s disaster management framework. Using empirical and secondary data, this paper analyses the governance of disaster risks in Cameroon with particular focus on the challenges local government faces in implementing disaster risk reduction strategies. The hypothesis is that the governance of disaster risks is too centralised at the national level, with huge implications for the effective governance of disaster risks at the local level. Although Cameroon has reinvigorated efforts to address growing disaster risks in a proactive way, it is argued that the practical actions are more reactive than proactive in nature. The overall aim is to explore the challenges and opportunities that local government has in the governance of disaster risks. Based on the findings from this research, policy recommendations are suggested on ways to mainstream disaster risk reduction strategies into local governance, and advance understanding and practice in the local governance of disaster risks in the country.

Global disasters and risk reduction strategies

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Murray ◽  
Amina Aitsi-Selmi ◽  
Alex G. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Congenital Rubella ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Risk Reduction Strategies

As the global population increase, the effects of disasters also increase. However, through improved building codes and other disaster risk reduction interventions, the number of deaths appears to be reducing. International frameworks for reduction and response are being built and an audit of the NHS demonstrated the advantages of an integrated health service. Fact sheets, produced internationally with UK involvement, on several aspects of disaster risk reduction have started to increase awareness of the wide variety of needs, although mental health issues need further research. Not all global disasters with far-reaching consequences are catastrophic in nature. The circumstances of congenital rubella and iodine deficiency show the strengths of international collaboration and the need for high-quality science. This chapter explains disaster risk reduction and sets it in its international perspective, with examples of wide-ranging agreements and frameworks, and their application to the wider UK health service.

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.

scholarly journals Socio-political drivers and consequences of landslide and flood risk zonation: A case study of Limbe city, Cameroon

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 707-731
Author(s):  
Jan Maes ◽  
Jeff Mbella Molombe ◽  
Kewan Mertens ◽  
Constanza Parra ◽  
Jean Poesen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Political Ecology ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Political Discourse ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Risk Zonation ◽  
The City

Disaster risk zonation is often proposed as a long-term disaster risk reduction strategy by international treaties and academic research. This strategy has been implemented in the city of Limbe, which is known to be a disaster-prone one. Citizens are forced to settle in unsafe terrains, ranging from wetlands to unstable hillslopes due to the city’s geographical location and economic attraction. Following the fatal landslides and floods in 2001, a local crisis committee identified affected areas and declared them ‘risk zones’ to prevent further exposure. Empirically, this study narrates the production and implementation of risk zonation policy in the city of Limbe. Theoretically, it uses an urban political ecology perspective, which incorporates science and technology studies, post-political theory and disaster research to interpret the drivers and implications of the mismatch between research, policy and action. In this case study, we investigate the implications for disaster risk reduction by describing three underlying socio-political drivers of the risk zonation policy: (i) authoritarian science regime, (ii) post-political discourse, and (iii) blame diversion. We argue that authorities from national to local level use a post-political discourse to promote and implement disaster risk reduction in the city of Limbe through the development and the application of risk zonation policy. As a consequence, risk zonation leads to poor enforcement of the law and corruption, ultimately leading to risk accumulation in this case. This analysis allows us to draw broader conclusions on drivers and implications of the implementation of disaster risk zonation policy in urban areas that are primarily governed hierarchically and prone to corruption.

scholarly journals Integrating Health Into Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies: Key Considerations for Success

2014 ◽  
Vol 104 (10) ◽  
pp. 1811-1816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osman Dar ◽  
Emmeline J. Buckley ◽  
Sakib Rokadiya ◽  
Qudsia Huda ◽  
Jonathan Abrahams
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Risk Reduction Strategies

scholarly journals KAPASITAS PEMERINTAH PROVINSI JAMBI DALAM MENGHADAPI BENCANA BANJIR DAN ASAP AKIBAT KEBAKARAN HUTAN DAN LAHAN

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Intan Adhi Perdana Putri
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Disaster Risk Management ◽  
Disaster Victims

Preventing and reducing disaster victims is crucial in the disaster risk reduction context. The government, particularly at the local level, plays a vital role in reducing such risk. Therefore, strengthening the capacity of local governments is needed to reach the goal. This necessity is clearly stated in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDDR) 2015-2030. The capacity of local government in disaster risk management is essential in preventing and minimizing the number of victims. Floods and forest and land fire haze are the most common disasters in Jambi Province. Understanding the local government capacity is imperative in the context of disaster risk reduction as such. This paper aims to explain the current capacity of the Jambi local government in managing flood and forest and land fire haze. Data were collected qualitatively from government officials through focus group discussions (FGDs) and interviews. The findings showed that the capacity of Jambi’s local government needs to be improved, and there are issues to be solved. Jambi Province policy capacity tended to focus on forest fires and lacked attention on flood-related policies. On implementation capacity, there exist some issues to be overcome, such as the local government officials’ knowledge and skills related to disaster risk management, redundant disaster preparedness programs at the village level, and the need for more detailed hazard maps. 

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