Source
Building disaster-resilient communities - the UNCRD perspective
30.09.2018
According to the UNCRD, "in order to build disaster-resilient communities, they first need to be empowered so that community members can cope with the adverse effects of natural hazards. This is the most effective approach to achieving sustainability in dealing with natural disaster risks. UNCRD is carrying out various community-based programmes to establish disaster prevention as an essential component of sustainable development" (Pandey, B. and Okazaki, K. 2004). Moreover: "the most common elements of community involvement are partnership, participation, empowerment, and ownership by the local people. Unless disaster management efforts are sustainable at individual and community levels, it is difficult to reduce the losses and scale of the tragedy" (UNCRD 2004). Empowerment "induces a sense of ownership for people and can result in their continuous engagement and long-term commitment to these activities (?). Additionally, individual and community ownership, commitment and concerted actions in disaster mitigation, including resource mobilization, produce a wide range of appropriate, innovative and do-able mitigation solutions, which are cost-effective and sustainable" (UNCRD 2004). And finally, because disasters are (often) unpredictable, it is important, thanks to people empowerment in CBDM, to maintain the projects and people's awareness of their likelihood.
Note: See source document for full reference.
Applicable to:
Cultural Factors: Power relations
Hazards: Natural hazards
Disaster Phases: Preparedness, Prevention
Types of Actors Concerned: UN and other international organisations, Non-active citizens
Recommendations: