RISK MANAGEMENT

ASHA PATHAK.

Contents

1. What is risk communication? 2. What are risk, hazard and disaster?3. What is disaster risk communication?4. Different applications of disaster risk

communication.

What is risk communication?• “an interactive process of exchange of

information and opinion among individuals, groups, and institutions regarding risks”

• “discussion about risk types and levels and about methods for managing risks”

US National Research Council (1983)

ExpertsCitizens

Risk communication: the basic idea

Risk communication for action

• Risk communication is also a mutual information sharing process that consists of recognition, evaluation and action.

• For this purpose, messages conveyed by information need to be properly delivered via appropriate communication media, and interpreted by respective stakeholders.

Applying “disaster” risk communication

You need to consider two aspects:(a) Assume that multiple stakeholders are

involved.

(b) The communication style will vary according to the phase of the disaster risk management cycle you are in.

Aspects of disaster risk communication

(a) Multiple stakeholders• There are different assumable applications

with different involved stakeholders.• Information transfer is not one-way but

mutual.• CITIZENS should be involved because:– They are end victims.– Local knowledge has useful information for

disaster management.

Risk communication: Multiple stakeholder idea

NGOsCitizens

Government

Officials

Disaster experts

Engineers

Media

Aspects of disaster risk communication

(b) Phase in disaster management cycle

modified from Alexander, 2002

BEFO

RE T

HE

EVEN

TAFTER THE EVEN

TIMPACT

EARLY WARNING

EDUCATION

PRE-IMPACTEMERGENCY

RESTORATIO

NPR

EPAR

EDN

ESS

RECONSTRUCTION

Disaster

DISASTER

Application of disaster risk communication

• Early Warning(a) Government engineers, media, citizens(b) Pre-impact and emergency phases

• Disaster Education(a) Citizens, NGOs(b) Restoration, reconstruction and preparedness

phases

Disaster risk communication in developing countries (1)

• Risk communication as risk management is newly developed.

• ProVention Consortium: is established by the World Bank Group to support developing countries reduce the risk and social, economic and environmental impacts of disasters.

Lessons from Recent Disasters

Lack of disaster preparedness at all levels.

Lack of mitigation planning

Lack of communication networking and dissemination of information among states

Delayed response due to mismanagement of

relief, resources, manpower and duty delegationLack of Interface and Coordination with State, District Administration & Community

HUGE LOSS OF LIFE & PROPERTY

Thrust Areas

• Emergency Operation Centres

• Multi-purpose Cyclone Shelters

• Coastal Shelterbelt Plantation

• National Disaster Information System

• Early Warning System Contd………

Pre Disaster Preparedness

Mapping

Disaster Insurance

Capacity Building: Training & Research

Documentation & Data-base Management

Inventory & Equipment Management

Emergency Services

Minimum Standards of Relief for people with special needs

During Disaster

• Emergency search & rescue

• Disposal of dead bodies and Carcass

• Ex-gratia announcement

• Immediate relief

• Mobile Hospitals

Post-Disaster After Care• Restoration of Basic Facilities

• Relief & Reconstruction

• Economic Rehabilitation

• Psycho-social Rehabilitation

• Community Mental Health

• Scientific Damage Assessment

• Youth Organizations and Student Bodies like NCC/NSS/ Scouts & Guides to be provided training in Emergency Response and Awareness Generation

• Media professionals to be sensitised and encouraged to integrate DM components in different programmes for public awareness.

• AICTE to include disaster mitigation technologies in engineering courses.

• IITs have taken up an orientation for lecturers/professors in engineering colleges in disaster mitigation technologies.

• Disaster Management introduced in CBSE School curriculum of classes 8th, 9th and

10th.

• States advised to include Disaster Management in school curriculum.

• MHA prepared set of resource materials developed by various organisations / institutions to be replicated and disseminated by State Governments based on their vulnerabilities.

Capacity Building Initiative

At Risk behavior isAt Risk behavior is usually a result, NOTusually a result, NOT a causea cause

Poor communicationPoor communicationPoor ergonomic job designPoor ergonomic job designNo supervisionNo supervisionConfusing proceduresConfusing proceduresInadequate TrainingInadequate Training

Imperfect MemoriesImperfect MemoriesTime pressureTime pressurePeer PressurePeer PressureBad habitBad habitLack of accountabilityLack of accountability

Human behavior is a succession of reactions to stimuli coming from the environment. Hence, human behaviors are modeled by environment.

If we can analyze the conditions existing in a given environment, we can predict and change behavior.

Behavioral science Fundamentals

COMMITMENT

“ We need to incorporate disaster risk management into our poverty reduction, development and environmental strategies”,

Turning point: growing Disaster Losses

• India lost 2.2% of its GDP annually (US$6 billion) due to disasters

• This highlighted need to have a comprehensive policy on disaster risk reduction and management

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

5,000

Reported Catastrophe Losses in India, 1965-2001 $US Millions

Political Economy

Development Environment

Disaster Risk Assessment ,Reduction and Management

Prevention, Preparedness Response, Recovery

Structural measures

InfrastructureEnvironmental shield

Retrofitting

Non-structural measures

Poverty alleviationEmpowerment of women

Capacity BuildingRisk transfer, insurance

Early Warning Shelter

Sustainable Development

Search and rescue Intermediary

Relief Permanent

Disaster Management Framework

Global Trends (risk)- Disasters are NOT natural• Natural and human-Natural and human-induced hazardsinduced hazards

• Climate change and Climate change and variablesvariables

• (global warming and (global warming and global dimming)global dimming)

Socio-economic: poverty,Socio-economic: poverty, unplanned urban growth, lack of unplanned urban growth, lack of awareness and institutional awareness and institutional capacities...capacities...

Physical: insufficient land use Physical: insufficient land use planning, housing, infrastructures planning, housing, infrastructures located in hazard prone areas...located in hazard prone areas...

Environmental degradation Environmental degradation ecosystem degradation; coastal, ecosystem degradation; coastal, watershed, marshland…), etc.watershed, marshland…), etc.

HAZARDS +HAZARDS +EXTREME EVENTSEXTREME EVENTS

VULNERABILITYVULNERABILITY

Anatomy of “natural” disasters

Natural hazard X Vulnerability Disaster Risk=

Merits of CBDM

Communities are knowledgeable and are often able to predict unfavorable events

They are able to cope with disasters.This approach helps to enable communities to be more

independent during disaster periods and strengthen them to increase their capacities to support their own livelihoods.

The impact of disaster situations on women and capacitates to cope and contribute are different from that of men.

CBDM Process

The foundation of community based disaster management is disaster risk reduction

The stages in the risk reduction process are as follows:

Selecting the communityUnderstanding the communityParticipatory community risk assessmentParticipatory risk reduction planningCommunity managed implementation Monitoring and Evaluation .

THANKS