Blue-Green Infrastructures for Disaster Risk Reduction

International agencies and scientific research have been calling for the inclusion of children in disaster preparedness and risk reduction, to hear their voices in order to address their specific needs and vulnerabilities and harness their capabilities in terms of building community resilience. This article assesses the roles ascribed to children in policy and education for disaster risk reduction in Portugal. The approach is based on a scoping methodology that encompasses document analysis and interviews with national and local stakeholders and policymakers in the disaster risk reduction field. The research is carried out within the scope of a European funded project, CUIDAR Cultures of Disaster Resilience among Children and Young People. More specifically, the article provides an overview of the discourses on the roles ascribed to children in urban disaster risk reduction (DRR). The authors maintain that although children are often taken as a target group in urban disaster prevention and management, they are seldom considered in terms of active participation in disaster risk reduction programs in the Portuguese context. Nevertheless, our analysis shows that there is a growing awareness of the relevance of active participation by children in order to create successful DRR.

Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, landslides, and hailstorms have become more frequent and dangerous in recent years, especially in developing countries like Nepal. School students of Bheemdatt municipality are at high risk of natural disasters, especially when they are in school and at home. This study focuses on Bheemdatt Municipality of Kanchanpur District. The main objective of the study was to assess disaster awareness and risk reduction knowledge among school students in Bheemdatt Municipality, Nepal. The research was conducted using both primary and secondary sources of data. A Simple random sampling method was used to select respondents. Data were collected through surveys and interviews conducted in 14 schools of which six were government and eight were private. The sampled schools represent different levels of disaster risk. A total of 110 students participated in the study, along with teachers and school principals. The findings indicate that the majority of students had acquired knowledge about disasters mainly through school textbooks, while other sources such as television, radio, and the internet were reported to be less frequently utilized. Among the types of disasters experienced, earthquakes, floods, and hailstorms were the most common in the study area. Many students understood disaster preparedness and mitigation, some remained unclear about the specific actions required before, during, and after a disaster. The study finds that strengthening disaster education in schools helps students gain a clearer understanding of disaster risk reduction (DRR). It emphasizes the crucial role of youth education in safeguarding lives and communities. Additionally, the study examines the current status of disaster education in Nepal and offers recommendations to improve community resilience through educational initiatives.

Mobilization of financial resources for disaster risk reduction represent value for money because for every dollar invested in disaster risk reduction, between four and seven dollars are saved in the long run. The reactive emergency aid business model commonly applied is not helping much in disaster risk reduction because it suffers from irregular flow of funds making it unpredictable and complex in its arrangement for acquisition as well as eventual disbursement. Disaster risk financing instruments are increasingly at the centre of this nuxes since there exists an inseparable relationship between disaster risk financing instruments on one hand and disaster risk reduction activities on the other hand. Post-disaster risk financing instruments are budgetary reallocations, domestic credit, external credit, donor assistance and tax increase. Disasters pose daunting barriers to development in developing countries because they are inadequately prepared due to weaknesses of their economies, high level of indebtedness and rigid budgetary processes which do not allow them to reallocate budget post-disaster. This article analyzes the cause effect relationship between post-disaster risk financing instruments and risk reduction in the Kenya national platform. The primary data used in the analysis is based principally on a survey of 60 respondents interviewed in 2016 in the public and private organizations. Secondary data attained from archival records, UNDP and Development Initiatives documentation centres were used to cross-validate primary data. Correlational research design was adopted while statistical analysis employed was Pearson’s co-efficient of correlation and multiple regression analysis. The results show that there is a positive and significant relationship between post-disaster risk financing instruments and disaster risk reduction in Kenyan national disaster platform (r=0.286, p=0.000<0.01). The findings point to the need for the establishment of a disaster risk revolving fund in Kenya which is structured along the post-disaster risk financing sources. Keywords: Post-disaster risk financing instruments, Strategic financing option, Risk reduction and Kenyan national disaster platform.

This study determined the students' degree of awareness at Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) Sta. Cruz, Laguna in terms of disaster risk reduction and its significance, which was the basis of the LSPU DRRM Center construct. This employed a descriptive- correlational study and used a purposive sampling technique. The results revealed that the respondents had experienced various types of disasters. They are slightly aware, at least, of risk reduction factors anchoring on political commitment, while they are no less than slightly aware of the particulars related to risk reduction measures. Moreover, the results of χ² Tests of Independence revealed that the awareness of Disaster Risk Reduction Factors depends on the individual's exposure to a single or a combination of natural disasters. On the contrary, the extent of awareness of those factors does not depend on the respondent's exposure or experience with global viral diseases and man-made disasters.

This article offers a critical examination of the position of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 within international law. It is argued that any interrogation into the relationship between international law and disaster risk reduction (DRR) must begin not with existing DRR laws and policies, but rather with an enquiry into the nature of disaster risk and the role of international law in its creation and reduction. It is demonstrated how, while areas such as international human rights law can be utilized to enforce obligations in support of DRR, other areas—in particular international investment law—actively work to undermine DRR efforts. In order for international law to be a productive tool in the reduction of disaster risk, international lawyers must engage with critical work in disaster studies and explore the role that international law has played, and can play, in creating and addressing hazards, vulnerabilities, and capacities.

The recently concluded World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) in Sendai, Japan and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (SFDRR) have set renewed priorities for disaster risk reduction (DRR) for the next 15 years. This framework is the main guiding instrument for Disaster Risk Management (DRM) within the scope of sustainable development and the eradication of poverty. Disaster management policies and practices should be based on an understanding of risks, not just on an ideological level. Gap and key challenges identified include Still weak coordination, cooperation and linkages among the sectors related to DRR, Lacks of skills in loss assessment and post disaster needs, lack of strategic research agenda, absence of consensus regarding terminology, and limited coordination between stakeholders. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of why disaster risk reduction efforts undertaken by regional policy often fail to improve future disaster responses. These findings can be used to help guide to improve regional policy in disaster risk reduction processes. This research is a systematic review study by collecting articles that are relevant to International Journal of Disaster Risk Science. From the analysis, we found that all four priorities for action in the Sendai Framework are relevant to Disaster Risk Management (DRM) field as follows: 1). Understanding disaster risk; 2). Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk; 3). Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience and 4). Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify LGBTQ+ perceptions of and experiences with hazards, vulnerabilities and disasters in the San Francisco Bay Area in the USA and to co-develop applied projects to “queer” disaster knowledge production and risk reduction activities in the region.Design/methodology/approachThis is a community science project in which we collaborate with community members to enhance both community and scientific knowledge with the goal of utilizing it to produce a positive change to pressing social issues and their underlying causes. We do this through a series of four focus group workshops to identify community priorities, hazards, vulnerabilities and local action. We follow this with further ethnographic research and projects to apply findings from phase one.FindingsThe authors have found that: LGBTQ+ people in the Bay Area have unique experiences with hazards, vulnerabilities and disasters; there are significant gaps in the representation of LGBTQ+ hazard exposure in local scientific models that we can address through alternative methodologies; and tabletop exercises, learning modules and podcasts help orient and train disaster response agencies and personnel on LGBTQ+ inclusive operations.Originality/valueThis initiative entails novel approaches to community science for disaster risk reduction and creative collaboration with community-based organizations to foster the development of LGBTQ+ inclusive disaster risk reduction and response.

Conflict aggravates disaster risk and impact through increased vulnerability and weakened response capacities. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) and disaster governance are needed – but often deemed unfeasible – in conflict-affected areas. In Afghanistan, despite the high-intensity conflict (HIC), there is a growing body of practice on DRR. To provide insight on DRR in HIC contexts, this study used document analysis, stakeholder interviews, and participant observation to analyse the promotion, implementation, and challenges of DRR in Afghanistan. The findings show that DRR was promoted after international recognition of Afghanistan’s high disaster risk, which coincided with expanding opportunities for development. Early Afghan DRR projects were hazard-oriented and focused on mitigation infrastructure, but some have shifted towards an integrated approach. DRR is challenging in HIC contexts because of complex logistical and funding needs required to overcome access and security issues. The Afghan experience shows that DRR is possible in HIC countries, provided that different levels of conflict are acknowledged, sufficient time and funding are available, and disaster governance arrangements are in place. Expectations regarding the possibilities for DRR in HIC areas should be tempered by the realities of limitations in terms of geographical coverage, real impact, and capacities to reduce vulnerability in an integrated way.

PurposeThere are many pragmatic challenges and complex interactions in the reduction of systemic disaster risk. No single agency has the mandate, authority, legitimacy or resources to fully address the deeper socio-economic, cultural, regulatory or political forces that often drive the creation and transfer of risk. National leadership and co-ordination are key enablers. This paper shares Australia's progress in building an enabling environment for systemic disaster risk reduction, and specifically how a change in thinking and resolve to work differently is beginning to shape nation-wide reforms and national programs of work.Design/methodology/approachThe project and program of work adopted an inclusive, collaborative, co-design and co-production approach, working with diverse groups to create new knowledge, build trust, ongoing learning and collective ownership and action. Values- and systems-based approaches, and ethical leadership were core aspects of the approach.FindingsCo-creating a more comprehensive and shared understanding of systemic disaster risk, particularly the values at risk and tensions and trade-offs associated with the choices about how people prevent or respond, has contributed to a growing shift in the way disasters are conceptualised. New narratives about disasters as “unnatural” and the need for shared responsibilities are shaping dialogue spaces and policy frameworks. The authors’ experience and ongoing learning acknowledge pragmatic challenges while also providing evidence-based ideas and guidance for more systems and transformative styles and competencies of leadership that are needed for convening in contested and complex environments.Practical implicationsThis work built networks, competencies and generated ongoing momentum and learning. The lessons, evidence and reports from the work continue to be accessed and influential in research, emergency management and disaster mitigation practices (e.g. engagement, communications, training) and policy. Most significantly, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework provides the basis, justification and guidance for the nation's policy reform agenda around disaster risk reduction and is catalysing national efforts in developing a national action plan and systemic measurement, evaluation and learning to ensure the realisation of disaster risk reduction priorities.Originality/valueA practical example is offered of a nation actively learning to navigate the governance challenges and implement strategies to address the reduction of complex, systemic risks.

Bangladesh is prone to natural calamities, including cyclones, river erosion, flooding, and saline intrusion. At the same time, the country is highly known for its disaster preparedness activities. Disaster preparedness has been defined as the efforts taken before a disaster. It could be tailored to certain demographics by researching the effects of calamity. The goal of this study was to investigate the demographic factors that influence disaster preparedness. This survey was conducted in August 2018. The residents of Borunpara village, Batiaghata Upazilla, Khulna district, who were the main target population, had a household head or responsible person who was at least 18 years old and had higher awareness of disaster preparedness and risk reduction. Total 120 individuals were selected randomly by using Kothari equation of sample size determination for focus group discussion (FGD), key in-depth interview, and questionnaire survey to conduct this study. The findings of this study demonstrate that the socioeconomic attribute like income governs the secondary occupation and education of those area as well as demographic variables like monthly income levels, jobs, educational backgrounds, and gender have a significant impact on disaster risk reduction behavior. The study also found that 49.2% respondents had not done anything to protect themselves from possible future disaster. According to the study it is found that only 44% of the respondents have the indigenous knowledge to identify the risk of disaster. And finally, the 60% community participants have the capacity that represents medium resilience. However, when it comes to disaster risk management, gender, education, and occupation determine the practical factors. Income and age were regulated here as less factors. Most importantly, customary demographic determinants dominate disaster risk mitigation factors. To facilitate disaster preparedness actions, disaster professionals should focus on improving disaster preparedness behaviors for low-income earners, the unemployed, and those living in high-risk areas, especially those who have never experienced a disaster.

The impact of collaboration on the community resilience program for residents of Lumajang Regency varies. For the variable “Strengthening local knowledge”, collaboration is preferable since it allows different communities to cooperate in gathering local information from different perspectives. According to our research, if local knowledge is not strengthened through collaboration, it will actually have the reverse effect—that is, it will not have an impact on catastrophe risk reduction. This is due to the community’s still limited and underutilized participation in government programs for monitoring and communicating the catastrophe response. Different findings were made for the community network and relationship variables, where the influence of relationships within the community network on disaster risk reduction is still non-significant, whether directly or indirectly through cooperative mediation. Because LR is preparing for disaster risk management, community relations or engagement with the authorities regarding the necessity of disaster risk management have not yet been involved. The location, interaction, traits, and interests should all be taken into consideration when forming the community. In fact, LR residents have not yet put this into practice. The findings are similarly important when considering how different variables, either directly or through the collaboration variable, influence leadership, governance, and health. Therefore, disaster risk reduction may be impacted directly or indirectly by the presence of emergency response health services, the creation of disaster-resilient villages, and the creation of a profile of disaster-prone locations. But according to the data above, collaboration can actually have a bigger impact on disaster risk reduction.

The frequency of natural disasters has been increasing for the last 30 years in the world, having caused great damages and losses. Among those damages and losses, about 90 % are concentrated in the Asian region where natural disasters bring about the loss of lives, property, employment and damage to the physical infrastructure and the environment. Disaster management (DM) including disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts aim to minimize or avoid the potential losses from hazards, assure prompt and appropriate assistance to victims of disaster, and achieve rapid and effective recovery. While data, information, knowledge and resources sharing can enhance the process of DM, there is a perceived gap in government collaboration and coordination within the context of natural DM. The objective of this paper is to present the literature findings on success factors that ensure the quality of government information sharing (GIS) in supporting effectively DM. Accordingly the identified factors were classified into major categories, namely political leadership support, inter-agency collaboration, individual agency capacity including ICT, and agency benefits.

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) by taking into account the spatial planning in its implementation is not easy, for the Moluccas which has the characteristics of the region that has many cluster islands, and the accessibility are still low. Thus it requires special handling in the island-based disaster risk reduction, which will certainly be different from disaster risk reduction efforts that were undertaken in the continental region. The purpose of this research is to design the spatial area of the island cluster in Moluccas Province based on disaster risk. The method used is literature through spatial analysis of island risk-based groups. Based on the results of disaster risk assessment by the BPBD of Moluccas Province, it has been obtained that there are islands based on disaster risk (RB-islands cluster). The high disaster risk level was the island cluster on RB III and IX, the medium disaster risk level was the island cluster on RB I, IV, VI, and VIII, the low disaster risk level was the island cluster on RB II, V, and VII. The RB island cluster is a model for reaching areas with high disaster risk, can easily identify what causes it. It become an input to mitigate it through the spatial arrangements for achieving a sustainable archipelago development. The regional spatial arrangements aimed at reducing disaster risk in the RB-islands cluster in the Moluccas through spatial planning, structural handling/civil engineering, education, and community empowerment.

This research aims to determine the Merapi volcano disaster risk reduction (DRR) mainstreaming in Cangkringan District, Sleman Regency. DRR mainstreaming is urgently needed in Cangkringan District because the areas most affected by the threat of the eruption of Mount Merapi. This research adopts the design of a case study that will study and analyze DRR mainstreaming through structural and non-structural development in depth with primary data through interviews and secondary data through documentation. Data collection techniques sourced from interview data were 14 sources, namely: Sleman Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency, Sleman Regency Regional Development Planning Agency, Cangkringan District, Village Heads in Cangkringan, Cangkringan Residents, Volcano Disaster Community, Sleman Regency Land and Spatial Planning Agency , Department of Public Works, Housing, and Settlement Areas of Sleman Regency, and secondary data sourced from the documentation of the implementation of the DRR disaster-prone areas of Mount Merapi, Cangkringan District, Sleman Regency. Data analysis technique with CAQDAS (Computer-assisted Qualitataive Data, Analysis Software) namely Nvivo which is useful and effective in helping qualitative research efficiently, helping the consumption of logic and research design and providing facilities for analyzing content. Features that are used by NVIVO in the research analysis include: Create New Project, which includes data in the form of literature about the risk reduction of Mount Merapi in Cangkringan District, Import Feature which functions to enter research data in the form of interviews and documentation data, Feature node functions to classify data in the research on the coding process, the Crosstab feature obtained the results of calculations between all data that had been found regarding the Mount Merapi DRR in Cangkringan District. The study found that the implementation of spatial planning in Cangkringan District was understood by the residents of Cangkringan. Development arrangements in Cangkringan Subdistrict still found illegal development due to inadequate economic factors. The infrastructure development in Cangkringan Subdistrict was quite well implemented. The disaster preparedness schools in Cangkringan Subdistrict were evenly distributed. The training is given from both government and non-government, which is once a year in the form of disaster simulation. Counseling activities in an effort to reduce disaster risk are carried out once a year and obtain information needed by residents in the volcano prone area. Based on the results of the study concluded under the implementation of DRR in the District of Cangkringan, Sleman Regency has been carried out quite effectively and provides understanding for residents of Cangkringan in solving the financial problems of Mount Merapi and the rules about vulnerable areas, III. with a maximum due to several economic factors that are still low. The government needs to be able to increase supervision and further research can be done to find out the implementation of DRR in disaster prone areas in Cangkringan District, Sleman Regency.

Public perception and attitudes to disaster risks in a coastal metropolis of Saudi Arabia