Building Capacity for Disaster Risk Management

Summary

Governments, international organizations, and civil society groups are working to build disaster risk management (DRM) capacity worldwide. A research project by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies identifies six principles for improving DRM: focusing on holistic disaster risk reduction, strengthening functional capacity, fostering cross-sector collaboration, designing programs for lasting impact, considering local context, and fostering ownership among local communities. By adopting these strategies, DRM efforts can be more effective, ensuring stronger resilience for vulnerable communities in the face of future disasters.

Takeaways

• 😀 Effective disaster risk management (DRM) capacity-building requires a clear understanding of what works and why.
• 😀 Current DRM approaches are often small-scale and poorly coordinated within countries and regions.
• 😀 A 2-year research by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies found that six key principles can improve DRM capacity.
• 😀 Holistic disaster risk reduction should be the focus, aiming at long-term prevention, mitigation, and recovery, rather than just short-term emergency management.
• 😀 Strengthening functional capacity goes beyond technical skills and equipment to include decision-making, coordination, and creating an enabling environment for DRM.
• 😀 Successful DRM requires working across organizations, sectors, and levels of government, fostering integration and collaboration at every level.
• 😀 Capacity-building programs should be carefully planned to ensure lasting impact, with robust monitoring and evaluation systems.
• 😀 Paying attention to the local context is crucial, ensuring that programs are relevant and based on thorough capacity needs assessments.
• 😀 Fostering ownership of DRM programs through participation is key for their long-term success, ensuring that local communities have a clear role in designing and implementing the program.
• 😀 High-level support and alignment with existing DRM strategies are essential for building ownership and ensuring the sustainability of DRM efforts.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of the two-year research project by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies?

The primary goal of the two-year research project is to identify ways to improve the effectiveness of disaster risk management (DRM) capacity-building programs around the world.

What does 'holistic disaster risk reduction' involve?

Holistic disaster risk reduction involves moving beyond short-term emergency management to focus on long-term prevention, mitigation, and recovery. It includes considering how risks may change over time, reducing underlying causes of vulnerability, and understanding how different groups may be vulnerable to disasters in various ways.

Why is strengthening functional capacity crucial in disaster risk management?

Strengthening functional capacity is crucial because it goes beyond technical skills and equipment. It focuses on improving the ability of individuals to make effective decisions and take action in relation to DRM. This involves clarifying decision-making processes, improving coordination, and creating an enabling environment for DRM.

What is meant by 'working across organizations, sectors, and levels' in DRM?

In DRM, working across organizations, sectors, and levels means improving collaboration and integration between various entities, including government bodies, NGOs, and community groups. This approach ensures a more comprehensive and coordinated response to disaster risk management at all levels.

What should be considered when designing capacity-building programs for lasting impact?

When designing capacity-building programs, it is essential to carefully plan the program's design, ensuring it is sustainable after the program ends. This includes setting robust monitoring and evaluation systems to focus on outcomes and impact and allowing adequate time to secure lasting results.

How does attention to local context influence DRM capacity-building efforts?

Paying attention to the local context ensures that capacity-building activities are relevant and based on a solid understanding of the area's specific needs. This involves conducting thorough capacity needs assessments to shape the program's design and ensure its effectiveness.

What role does 'ownership' play in successful DRM capacity building?

Ownership is critical because it ensures that the people targeted by capacity-building efforts are actively involved in the design and implementation of the program. This participation fosters greater commitment and alignment with local DRM strategies, increasing the chances of long-term success.

How can DRM programs improve their coordination between national and local levels of government?

Effective DRM requires coordination across different levels of government, from national to local. Programs should prioritize building capacity at all levels, including regional and local governments, which are often overlooked. This ensures that responses to disasters are comprehensive and tailored to specific regional needs.

What are the six key ways DRM programs can improve their effectiveness, according to the research?

The six key ways DRM programs can improve their effectiveness are: 1) Focus on holistic disaster risk reduction, 2) Strengthen functional capacity, 3) Work across organizations, sectors, and levels, 4) Carefully plan and design programs for lasting impact, 5) Pay attention to the context, and 6) Foster ownership through participation.

Why is it important to include robust monitoring and evaluation systems in DRM programs?

Robust monitoring and evaluation systems are important because they allow programs to track their progress and measure their outcomes and impact. This ensures that DRM efforts are continuously improving and that lessons learned can be applied to future initiatives.