Empowering local communities to take ownership of the disaster management process

There is substantial evidence that involving and empowering local communities to take ownership of the disaster management process can yield a number of positive results. For this reason, community involvement should not be seen as a conciliatory symbolic gesture that is secondary to the “scientific”, “official” work. For example, apart from saving lives, collaboration can foster long-term trust between disaster managers and communities, smoothing response efforts and preventing trust issues exacerbating impacts later on; it can give disaster managers access to the local socio-cultural landscape; and it can create a more sustainable recovery.

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Norms/values, Local knowledge, Communication, Livelihoods

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

Disaster Phases: Response, Recovery

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

Recommendations:

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