			Home About us Contact

Disaster Mitigation (disaster + mitigation)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Engineering	37%

Selected Abstracts

Learning from others: the scope and challenges for participatory disaster risk assessment

DISASTERS, Issue 4 2007
Mark Pelling
This paper develops a framework based on procedural, methodological and ideological elements of participatory vulnerability and risk assessment tools for placing individual approaches within the wide range of work that claims a participatory, local or community orientation. In so doing it draws on relevant experience from other areas of development practice from which the disasters field can learn. Participatory disaster risk assessments are examined for their potential to be empowering, to generate knowledge, to be scaled up, to be a vehicle for negotiating local change and as part of multiple-methods approaches to disaster risk identification and reduction. The paper is a response to an international workshop on Community Risk Assessment organised by ProVention Consortium and the Disaster Mitigation for Sustainable Livelihoods Programme, University of Cape Town. The workshop brought together practitioners and academics to review the challenges and opportunities for participatory methodologies in the field of disaster risk reduction. In conclusion the contribution made by participatory methodologies to global disaster risk reduction assessment and policy is discussed. [source]

Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness: The Case of NGOs in the Philippines

DISASTERS, Issue 3 2001
Emmanuel M. Luna
The Philippines is very vulnerable to natural disasters because of its natural setting, as well as its socio-economic, political and environmental context - especially its widespread poverty. The Philippines has a well-established institutional and legal framework for disaster management, including built-in mechanisms for participation of the people and NGOs in decision-making and programme implementation. The nature and extent of collaboration with government in disaster preparedness and mitigation issues varies greatly according to their roots, either in past confrontation and political struggles or traditional charity activities. The growing NGO involvement in disaster management has been influenced by this history. Some agencies work well with local government and there is an increasing trend for collaborative work in disaster mitigation and preparedness. Some NGOs, however, retain critical positions. These organisations tend to engage more in advocacy and legal support for communities facing increased risk because of development projects and environmental destruction. Entry points into disaster mitigation and preparedness vary as well. Development-oriented agencies are drawn into these issues when the community members with whom they work face disaster. Relief organisations, too, realise the need for community mobilisation, and are thus drawn towards development roles. [source]

From philosophy to action: accomplishing harmonious coexistence between man and flood,,

IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE, Issue 3 2006
Liu Ning
maîtrise des inondations/réduction des dommages et irrigation/drainage; dégâts des inondations; coexistence harmonieuse entre l'homme et l'inondation Abstract This paper briefly introduces the situation of flood, drought and waterlogging disasters in China. The close relations between flood control/disaster mitigation and irrigation/drainage are presented. By analysing the characteristics of flooding disasters in China, an understanding of flooding disasters is presented. Finally, in combination with current exploration and practice of new water management concepts, the philosophies and countermeasures for flood control and disaster mitigation are presented. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Cet article présente brièvement la situation des catastrophes liées aux inondations, aux sècheresses et aux engorgement de sols en Chine. Les relations étroites entre maî;trise des inondations et réductions des dommages, d'une part, et irrigation et drainage, d'autre part, y sont présentées. L'analyse des caractéristiques des inondations en Chine permet de mieux les comprendre. En conclusion, en combinaison avec les nouveaux concepts de gestion de l'eau, les philosophies et les pratiques de la gestion des inondations et de la réduction de leurs dommages sont présentées. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

The importance of mangrove forest in tsunami disaster mitigation

DISASTERS, Issue 2 2009
Rabindra Osti
Tsunamis and storm surges have killed more than one million people and some three billion people currently live with a high risk of these disasters, which are becoming more frequent and devastating worldwide. Effective mitigation of such disasters is possible via healthy coastal forests, which can reduce the energy of tsunamis. In recent years, these natural barriers have declined due to adverse human and natural activities. In the past 20 years, the world has lost almost 50 per cent of its mangrove forests, making them one of the most endangered landscapes. It is essential to recover them and to use them as a shield against a tsunami and as a resource to secure optimal socio-economic, ecological and environmental benefits. This paper examines the emerging scenario facing mangrove forests, discusses protection from tsunamis, and proposes a way to improve the current situation. We hope that practical tips will help communities and agencies to work collectively to achieve a common goal. [source]

NGO Initiatives in Risk Reduction: An Overview

DISASTERS, Issue 3 2001
Charlotte Benson
NGOs appear to be well placed to play a significant role in natural disaster mitigation and preparedness (DMP), working, as they do, with poorer and marginalised groups in society. However, there is little information on the scale or nature of NGO DMP activities. This paper reports the findings of a study seeking to address that gap. It confirms that NGOs are involved in a diverse range of DMP activities but that a number of them are not labelled as such. Moreover, evidence of the demonstrable quality and benefits of DMP involvement is poor. The paper concludes that a number of problems need to be overcome before DMP can be satisfactorily mainstreamed into NGO development and post-disaster rehabilitation programmes. However, there are some early indications of momentum for change. [source]

Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness: The Case of NGOs in the Philippines

Japan's strategic contributions to hydro-meteorological disaster mitigation in the world: planning to establish the UNESCO,PWRI Centre

HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 6 2006
Tetsuya Ikeda
Hydro-meteorological disasters such as floods are major challenges that need to be overcome in order to realize sustainable development and poverty alleviation for humankind. Devastating flood disasters have occurring in various locations throughout the world, and there has recently been rising concern that the intensity and frequency of catastrophic floods may be increasing. Being located on the eastern edge of monsoonal Asia and having climatic variations according to the seasonal and regional conditions, Japan has long suffered from numerous flood disasters, and thus has developed advanced flood management policies. This paper aims to discuss flood disasters in Japan and the recently improved flood management policies. In addition, this paper introduces a new plan attempted by the Public Works Research Institute (PWRI) of Japan that takes advantage of the wealth of long accumulated experience and knowledge in the hydro-meteorological field. The PWRI is now working toward the establishment of an International Centre on Water-related Hazard and Risk Management by acquiring UNESCO's auspices. In order to contribute to the global challenge of reducing devastating hydro-meteorological disasters all over the world, this centre aims to conduct research, capacity-building and training programmes, and information networking activities at the local, national, regional and global levels. The aim is to prevent and mitigate hydro-meteorological disasters from the viewpoint of sustainable and integrated river basin management. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]