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

2. 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)

5. 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
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

6. 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.

7. 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

9. 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 ….

10. Consequences of emergency can be far reaching
The Domino Theory

11. 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

12. 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

13. “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”

15. (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.)

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Adult learning Further reading www.unisdr.org www.preventionweb.net
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