Jamba-Journal of Disaster Risk Studies最新文献

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.4102/jamba.v15i1.1384.].

Owing to the increasing impact of disasters worldwide, there is a recognised need for putting theory into relevant and effective practice in disaster risk reduction (DRR). Substantial research has been oriented on reducing loss of life, injury, livelihoods and infrastructure disruption. In this paper, we gathered the main insights derived from the reflections of the earlier work of authors or co-authors of frameworks for understanding disaster risk.

Contribution: The findings add to our understanding of how bridging the gap between science and policymaking to manage disaster risk is shaped. This review showed evidence that disaster risk research and interaction among relevant DRR stakeholders have evolved. The degree of decisions, resource allocations and actions of state and non-state actors are influenced by applying such frameworks. However, limitations on resources in the policy-making spheres may require prioritisation but also new challenges in terms of responsibility, accountability and effective disaster risk governance.

Conceptual frameworks are vital for identifying relevant components, dimensions and indicators to assess vulnerability to natural hazards and climatic change. Given the fact that vulnerability is applied and used in various disciplines and by multiple schools of thought, several conceptual frameworks to assess and conceptualise vulnerability have been developed. Even though these frameworks have been widely cited in research, the range and context of application and contextual use of such frameworks have rarely been explored. This paper provides a systematic review of the MOVE (Methods for the Improvement of Vulnerability Assessment in Europe) framework. Bibliometric and systematic analyses were performed to better understand who and how the MOVE framework has been taken up by other researchers. The MOVE framework has been widely cited in different research fields. Several studies directly used the framework for assessing vulnerability both in terms of its factors and the different thematic dimensions of vulnerability (e.g. social, physical, ecological). Some studies have used it as a basis for developing context-specific studies of vulnerability and risk assessment frameworks. Finally, we also discuss critiques of the MOVE framework that can provide direction for future vulnerability assessments.

Contribution: Critique of the MOVE framework can be helpful in further improvement and development of a multi-hazard holistic framework that would be flexible enough to support multiple theoretical perspectives in disaster risk and climate change discourses.

The tsunami disaster in 2004 that caused thousands of causalities forced the community of Aceh to carry out mitigation and preparedness. This study aims to describe about the mitigation and preparedness of the community in Muara Batu, North Aceh, Indonesia, in the face of the tsunami disaster. Data collection techniques used are in-depth interviews, observation, questionnaire and documentation. The results showed that the tsunami disaster mitigation in Muara Batu District was as follows: (1) construction of breakwater by government and plantation of coconut trees by residents along the coast and (2) the provision of education about disasters has been carried out. Meanwhile, related to the preparedness of the community in dealing with the tsunami disaster, the following were concluded: (1) the preparedness of the community in dealing with the tsunami disaster was classified as ready; (2) the knowledge and attitude of the household community in dealing with the tsunami disaster is classified as ready; (3) the community policy in dealing with the tsunami disaster is low; (4) the community emergency response plan in dealing with the tsunami disaster is ready; (5) the tsunami warning system still uses a hereditary tradition of using sirens and loudspeakers in the meunasah and/or mushola; (6) the level of mobilisation of community resources is still low.

Contribution: This study recommends strengthening mitigation and preparedness with periodic community training by the village or district government. This will increase and strengthen synergies and interconnections between communities, village and district governments in dealing with the tsunami disaster.

The rural population is potentially exposed to several environmental risks. Environmental risk management is a recurring challenge in rural educational communities that are far from large urban areas. Assessing and identifying the knowledge on prevention and response to environmental risks and natural disasters is fundamental for planning and designing educational programs for communities to face disasters. This article presented the practical application of a participatory methodology to obtain information about the knowledge and experience in the prevention and attention of environmental threats and natural disasters in the rural school Las Huacas, village of Quintana, municipality of Popayán, in the region of Cauca, Colombia. The diagnosis methodology consisted of three phases: preparatory, fieldwork and analytical. The participatory diagnosis allowed the construction of instruments and tools for social interaction, the conduction of dynamic workshops and the systematisation of the collected information. The results evidenced the lack of knowledge on environmental disasters and how parents and children must face them. The absence of communication facilities implied a high degree of vulnerability, which was compensated with the awareness, commitment and participation in the processes led by the educational community. The next challenge is the participatory construction of a scholar environmental risk-management plan supported on appropriated information and communication technologies.

Contribution: This article presents the practical application of a participatory methodology to obtain information about the rural context and the knowledge and experience in the prevention and attention of environmental threats and natural disasters in a rural school in Cauca, Colombia.

Twenty years ago we wrote an article entitled 'Re-framing risk: The changing context of disaster mitigation and preparedness'. We sought to summarise the changes that were underway at the time in the discourse on disaster risk. At the time the article was seen as rather provocative as it sought to summarise the way that new perspectives were emerging in how we perceived risk. Ben Wisner nudged us to reflect on what happened to that reframing and whether it may be time to re-frame things once again. This reflection has led to several streams of thought.

The infusion of participatory methodologies in Zimbabwe gained momentum across rural and urban development planning platforms in the past decades. Participatory approaches are envisaged to deepen grassroots involvement in local planning and strengthen social networks for enhanced disaster resilience against complex weather-related hazards such as droughts. This article examines how community-based participatory planning (CBPP) contributes to the cohesiveness of the vulnerable groups and harnesses local capacities in building social capital. The article is underpinned by the community capital framework in understanding the nexus between participatory planning and social capital. Primary evidence is drawn from the cross-sectional study that targeted different socio-economic groups (N = 120) drawn from the selected three wards out of the 10 where CBPPs were conducted in Matobo district in 2016. The sample size was informed by the Rao Soft sample size calculator, hence a total of (n = 90) socioeconomic groups were targeted for a semi-structured questionnaire. The semi-structured tool was complemented by 12 in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions. Primary data were systematised, cleaned and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) V23. This was meant to probe and capture the benefits of CBPP and how it has strengthened the social capital of drought-prone communities in rural Matobo. Study results indicate improved inter- and intra-community networks post the CBPP processes in drought-prone Matobo as evidenced by the formation of community clubs, gender inclusive interventions and improved financial and material contributions towards community-driven projects. Furthermore, while women involvement is evident, their influence is less in productive livelihoods activities such as livestock rearing.

Contribution: The CBPP process has shown that inclusive planning improves the identification of risks and strengthens collective actions towards design and implementation of resilience building strategies such as water harvesting and health centres.

Cash and voucher assistance (CVA) has gained importance as a modality for humanitarian disaster response during the last decade. Research has documented its benefits and listed challenges for implementation. Simultaneously, humanitarian organisations have committed to the localisation agenda to better serve people affected by disasters through local actors. These two ongoing transformations in the humanitarian sector may support or challenge each other. The authors use Kenya as a case study to analyse how CVA influences the localisation agenda in the humanitarian sector. Semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted with national and international organisations to gain insights on how the international organisations and their local implementing partners view and experience the mutual support or potential tensions between CVA implementations and the localisation agenda. The analysis is based on seven dimensions of localisation applied to CVA in Kenya based on existing frameworks. The findings indicate that CVA can support the localisation agenda if properly managed. It provides smaller organisations an opportunity to get involved without expensive structures. International organisations need to redefine their role and withdraw from direct implementation and be willing to give up power. The local organisations benefit from forming national networks that give them a voice within the humanitarian system. These transformations rely on personal leadership and on capacity development focusing on coordination, collaboration and organisational strengthening beyond the technical skills needed for implementation.

Contribution: This study identifies how CVA and the localisation agenda affect each other in Kenya. This contributes to the understanding of the future development of the humanitarian sector.

Limbe city in Cameroon is prone to annual flood disasters. The Limbe City Council (LCC) has been making efforts to address the problem of floods and municipal solid waste management (MSWM). This article presents an: (1) assessment of the different strategies by the council towards MSWM and floods; (2) evaluation of public perception on waste disposal practices and (3) examination of the nexus between waste disposal and flooding. The methods employed included qualitative data collection through semi-structured interviews with the aid of questionnaires (open- and closed-ended questions) field observations and interview; and the use of the Benefit Value Tree method (BVT) to analyse sustainability strategies by LCC. The BVT method provided, the following scores for the four strategies used: sustainable basin management against floods and/or landslides = 7; mechanical dredging of river beds = 4; Keep Limbe Clean = 3; manual dredging and cleaning of rivers, gutters, culverts and bridges = 1. An evaluation of the municipal solid waste collection system revealed that (1) over 85% of plastic bins do not meet standard physical conditions; (2) bins at all collection points are insufficient for waste at such points and (3) residents engage in wanton disposal practices because of insufficient service coverage of residential areas. Field observations and interview with authorities established a clear connection between floods and poor waste management. In addition to existing efforts by LCC, it needs to upgrade and expand waste collection services through provision of numerous suitable bins and community awareness raising on the nexus between floods and waste disposal.

Contribution: This is a transdisciplinary research which presents the constraints and challenges in waste generation and collection, its relationship with recurrent floods in Limbe city, and presents a way forward to improve on the situation using the BVT method.