The role of whistle blowing, advocacy and pressure groups in creating bottom-up pressure on institutions

Attempts to empower and involve communities, to navigate difficult cultural issues and nurture functional cultural attributes may still not be enough to avoid or mitigate negative disaster impacts. Equally, institutional power or circumstances can overwhelm decision-makers’ abilities to hear or involve local communities. In these cases, activism and collective pressure from the bottom up may be one of the most appropriate and empowering courses of action. This can take the form of “whistle-blowing”, advocacy and pressure groups and direct action via social media and other mechanisms.

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Communication, Power relations, Attitudes toward authorities, Social networks

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

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

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

Recommendations:

• Limit cases of power abuse by protecting whistle-blowers and encouraging the formation of advocacy and/or pressure groups
• Foster the adoption of a culture of disaster prevention and resilience by informing and motivating citizens to take action