The Community Based Disaster Management approach

Community Based Disaster Management (CBDM) is an approach that entails a community-based participation in identification, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, and reconstruction activities related to potential and/or experienced natural hazards. CBDM promotes a bottom-up approach working in harmony with the top-down approach, to address challenges and difficulties. CBDM tries to integrate disaster risk factors into development planning at all levels so that the disaster management would not stand apart from the development process; therefore, to be as effective as possible, local communities must be supported in analysing their hazardous conditions, their vulnerabilities and capacities and in deciding how to intervene at the different stages (preparedness, response and recovery, and reconstruction); therefore, an empowerment process should be promoted and/or supported.

Cultural Factors: Power relations, Attitudes toward environmental issues

Hazards: Natural hazards

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

Types of Actors Concerned: All types of actors, Local authorities, Active citizens, Entrepreneurs, Media, Government, National research bodies, Red Cross, NGOs, Military, Law enforcement agencies, Healthcare and emergency services, European Civil Protection Mechanism, UN and other international organisations, National civil protection body, Non-active citizens

Recommendations:

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