The feeling of "ownership" amongst local people

According to UNCRD, involved or promoter of many community empowerment practices identified mostly in Asia, empowerment is induced by 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, based on people empowerment for being cost-effective and sustainable. This factor has never been explicated in the European empowerment practices analysed. However, it seems to characterize at least some cases, such as the Saxony river floods in Germany and Cumbria/Northern England-UK.

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Norms/values

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: All disaster phases, Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery, Response

Types of Actors Concerned: Non-active citizens

Recommendations:

• Foster the adoption of a culture of disaster prevention and resilience by informing and motivating citizens to take action