1. Community-based Disaster Management
Session 2 World Bank Institute Krishna S. Vatsa
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework The Role of Local Actors 1 1 1

2. A Social View of Disasters
A disaster is an interaction between a hazard event and a vulnerable human group
Hazard (nature, severity and frequency) is a trigger event; vulnerability explains the impact of a hazard event on people
Since 1970s, a disaster is explained more in terms of vulnerability (socio-economic processes) rather than a hazard event
Such a view established social causality of disasters replacing an engineering / technical approach
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework The Role of Local Actors

3. Understanding Vulnerability
Refers to negative outcomes of major ecological or economic shocks on the well-being of households or communities
Vulnerability is measured against a minimum level of welfare
Vulnerability has two sides: external and internal
External side refers to natural hazard and its characteristics (severity, frequency)
Internal side refers to resilience: the community’s capacity to resist and recover from the adverse impact of a disaster
Vulnerability embodies both the risk and capacity of households to respond to shocks
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework The Role of Local Actors

4. Reducing Vulnerability
Vulnerability refers to characteristics of individuals and group: income, class, race, caste, gender, age
Low-income groups, women, elderly, racial / ethnic minorities, and certain rural and urban segments more vulnerable than others
Even non-poor are vulnerable; as a result of shock they can be pushed into poverty
Vulnerability is reduced by access to resources and asset-building: financial and non-financial assets
Requires strategies and interventions which focuses on reducing vulnerability at community- and household-level
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework The Role of Local Actors

5. Community-based Approach to Disaster Management
Requires social consciousness and organization for disaster risk reduction
Aimed at reducing socio-economic vulnerability rather than engineering approaches to mitigation
Adopts Inter-sectoral / inter-disciplinary approach
Applies local knowledge, skills, and capacities
Seeks community as active participants and decision-makers
Addresses different stages of disaster cycle: prevention, preparedness and mitigation, and response and recovery
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework The Role of Local Actors

6. Participatory Risk Assessment
Analyzing hazard: its nature, frequency, and probable impact
Assessing Vulnerability: Underlying socio-economic vulnerability, civic Infrastructure vulnerability, and identification of vulnerable groups
Assessing community’s capability / resources at the level of households, social organization, informal networks, etc.
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework The Role of Local Actors

7. Community-managed Disaster Management System
Early Warning System for Communities: specific risk, appropriate medium, simple language and direct message
Community Response Plan: Roles and responsibilities, hazard-specific checklist, S & R functions, evacuation, transit shelter, and relief
Community-level Mitigation Programs: Structural and non-structural measures
Connecting disaster risk reduction with development: Watershed management, livelihood, gender programs
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework The Role of Local Actors

8. Access to Resources for Asset-building
Financial Resources: credit, savings and insurance
Livelihood strategy: diversify income-generating activities, training, and public works programs
Social Protection: Food programs, subsidies
Housing: Public and private resources for housing, disaster-resistant construction
Community networks: social support for mitigation initiatives
Information-sharing: Sharing of knowledge and information on different aspects of disaster preparedness and mitigation
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework The Role of Local Actors

9. Programs / Instruments for Community-based Measures
Government’s Fiscal Support
Disaster Funds
Insurance
Microfinance
Social Funds
Public Works Program
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework The Role of Local Actors

10. Community Education in Disaster Management
Educate all the concerned agencies: NGOs, local institutions such as municipal and fire service, hospitals
Raise community awareness about local hazards, preparedness and response through simple messages
Provide information upon cheap and simple mitigation measures to communities
Select the medium and prepare content of message carefully: negative disaster images to be avoided, and family well-being to be promoted
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework The Role of Local Actors