Disasters, development and risk reduction Closing the loop, relief to development continuum

Learning objectives By the end of this session, you will have an understanding of Objective 1 Disaster cycle Objective 2 Disaster and development Objective 3 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

Physical exposure Physical exposure = Number of people located in areas where hazardous events occur combined with the frequency of hazard events Absolute exposure is larger in countries like India and China. Relative exposure is higher in small-island developing countries An important innovation in the DRI is the calculation of physical exposure to earthquakes, tropical cyclones and floods at the global level. Physical exposure was calculated using a Geographical Information System that combined data on population densities with the extent and frequency of natural hazards. Physical exposure increases with greater population exposed or with more frequent hazard events. In other words physical exposure would be five times higher in an island inhabited by 1000 people and that suffered 5 cyclones a year than in a similar island that only experienced 1 cyclone a year. Similarly physical exposure would be five times higher in island inhabited by 5000 people and that experienced 1 cyclone a year than in the island inhabited by 1000 people and that experienced 1 cyclone a year. In the DRI physical exposure is expressed both in absolute terms (the number of people exposed in a country) and in relative terms (the number of people exposed per million people). Absolute physical exposure is clearly far higher in large countries like India and China, where the total population exposed is far higher. If the population exposed is expressed in relative terms as a percentage of the total population then small island states and other small countries have a far higher relative physical exposure as the entire population may be exposed to a given hazard. Population: 552,438 (July 2006 Est.) According to https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/bp.html Solomon Islands: earthquake and tsunami 8.1 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami on 2 April number of people affected 10,000 to 50,000. – Relief web

Issue of exposure : Risk is a combination of the interaction of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability, which can be represented by the three sides of a triangle. The Risk Triangle: RISK Exposure Vulnerability Hazard If any one of these sides increases, the area of the triangle increases, hence the amount of risk also increases. If any one of the sides reduces, the risk reduces. If we can eliminate one side there is no risk.

Global trends (risk)- Disasters are NOT natural Some physical events (hazards) are natural, but the effects of these events are not natural; they are built on human practices. Disasters are socio-natural events. HAZARDS + EXTREME EVENTS Socio-economic: poverty, unplanned urban growth, lack of awareness and institutional capacities... Physical: insufficient land use planning, housing, infrastructure located in hazard prone areas... Environmental degradation: ecosystem degradation; coastal, watershed, marshland…), etc. VULNERABILITY We cannot say that disasters are natural. Some physical events are natural, but the effects of these events are not natural; they are built on social practices. Disasters are socio-natural events. If we accept this, then we must accept the idea that disasters can be prevented. --Luis Romano, risk management specialist from the Humboldt Center, an Oxfam partner Can sustainable development be achieved without taking into account the risk to natural hazards? Short answer: NO! Identification of hazards/vulnerability; monitoring and management of risk are integral to sustainable development. Address root-causes to vulnerability: social, economic, environmental, technical-physical factors Anatomy of “natural” disasters = Natural hazard X Vulnerability / Capacity Disaster Risk

Development and disaster risk are linked Source: UNDP report REDUCING DISASTER RISK a challenge for development Disaster risk is lower in high development countries than in low development countries. Development processes intervene in the translation of physical exposure to hazards into disaster risk In order to begin to visualize the relationship between disaster and development a comparison was made in the number of people killed in natural disasters with the number of people exposed to natural hazards for high and low human development countries, showing up a dramatic contrast. Low human development countries concentrate while only 11% of the people exposed to natural hazards live in countries classified as low human development, they account for more that 53 % of total recorded deaths. In our country as well, it is the poorest who are the most vulnerable, and commonly living on marginal landslide prone hill slopes as well as flood prone areas. Vulnerability is thus the key to understanding the linkages between disaster and development.   Against this context, the report introduces a global index called disaster risk index ….

Consequences of emergency can be far reaching The Domino Theory

The “Worst Case” scenario The Domino Theory City floods Hurricane strikes Levee damaged Persons trapped Livelihoods Fail Civil unrest erupts Businesses looted Conditions deteriorate Electric power disrupted No insurance coverage

Disasters and development DEVELOPMENT REALM Development can increase vulnerability Development can reduce vulnerability NEGATIVE REALM POSITIVE REALM Disasters can set back development Disasters can provide development opportunities DISASTER REALM

“Disaster risk is an unresolved problem of development” Development needs to be responsive to our needs (localised/contextual): link people, place and local Government structures. Find integrated solutions that target direct and indirect risks Community based planning for risk reduction; “Disaster risk is an unresolved problem of development”

(SPHERE 2010 Edition: pg. 14.) What is Disaster Risk Reduction? Concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyse and manage the causal factors of disasters, including through reduced exposure to hazards, lessened vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the environment, and improved preparedness for adverse events. (SPHERE 2010 Edition: pg. 14.) Open discussion: If we have to define Disaster Risk Reduction, what could be the key words in the definition? Right down the keywords on the flip chart. Reread the word and identify if something is missing. If nothing is missing then explain the relationship of the keywords. Essential keywords are Disasters, Hazards, Vulnerability, Process, Risks, Practice, Preparedness. (max. 10 min.) After open discussion present the definition of disaster rsik reduction to the participants. Emphasise on underlined words. At the end make a comment that for a good risk reduction practitioner it is important to understand the concepts of Risk, Hazard and Vulnerability. (Max 10 min.)

Local People’s control Outsider’s Control Self Mobilization Local People’s control Participation for Material incentives Participation in Information exchange Participation by Consultation Passive Participation Functional Participation Interactive Participation

Disaster preparedness to risk reduction Comprehensive Risk Reduction in Community Facilitate Negotiation Risk Reduction: Prosperity Education Health Sanitation Food Water Natural Hazards Through various steps Disaster Risk Reduction is achieved Transition Disaster risk based planning approach to potential threats and hazards the traditional approach for CBDP can be an important opportunity for community achieve comprehensive risk reduction. Disaster Risk Reduction is a shared multisectoral and multilateral committment to the idea that disasters and development are linked. It is a well accepted fact amongst ‘disasters & development’ practitioners that risk reduction has to proceed on sectoral lines. Risk identification stage is an important step to open-up discussion for wider risk reduction. Can we facilitate identification of inherent risks/weakness in a community/region (link place and people). On sectoral lines the risk reduction process is expected to go through various steps. What are these steps? To facilitate a multisectoral and multilateral negotiation is an important contribution a facilitating agency like an NGO can do. Sustained involvement by experts from NGO; to anchor the process till it is reasonably institutionalized is an important requirement for any risk reduction initiative. Integrating Knowledge to achieve coordinated action: The problems of our times—from fighting global epidemics and terrorism to preparing for natural disasters, from mediating ethno-political conflict to preventing wars, from revitalizing cities to revolutionizing health care—cannot be understood or solved by insulated thinking and uncoordinated action . Practitioners need the tools of multiple disciplines to understand these challenging issues and to contribute to their resolution. - University of Pennsylvania Disaster Risk Identification Baseline: Get Organized to Prepare & implement the Plan Step-I: Community Organisation RR is a sectoral responsibility delivered in coordination with others. Disaster prone community

Any questions? Do you have any comments or experiences you would like to share? Do you have any questions? Share your experiences Notes are general training guidance Facilitators can add notes below to assist training Any questions

Adult learning Further reading www.unisdr.org www.preventionweb.net www.cadri.org Handbook for Emergencies UNHCR, 2007 Words Into Action ISDR, 2007 Notes are general training guidance Facilitators can add notes below to assist training S3.1