Toward ResilienceA Guide to Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change

Adaptation Marilise turnbull, charlotte L. Sterrett, amy hilleboe

Presented by Presented to Group-C Nishad Nasrin

Reshma Akter (MSS-141502) Assistant Professor

Sharmin Akter Tania(MSS-141513) Economics Discipline

Sonia Yeasmin(MSS-141523) Khulna University

Masuma Sultana(MSS-141525) Khulna

Economics Discipline

Khulna University

Khulna

Introduction

Bangladesh’s geo-physical location makes it prone to various hazards, e.g. floods, cyclones, earthquakes, etc. which cause immense losses of lives and damage to properties, livelihoods and economic infrastructure. The need for communities to address climate risks is becoming urgent.

As many communities are not prepared to cope with climate disasters facing them today, an ongoing challenge is to build their resilience. In answer to this challenge, disaster risk reduction (DRR) aims to address a comprehensive mix of factors contributing to communities’ vulnerabilities. There are numerous tools and methodologies that have been developed to put this approach into practice.

Conceptualization

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is a systematic approach to identifying, assessing and reducing the risks of disaster. It aims to reduce socio-economic vulnerabilities to disaster as well as dealing with the environmental and other hazards.

Climate change adaptationClimate change adaptation is a practice covering actions by a range of actors to manage and reduce the risks associated with changes in the climate. Adapting development to gradual changes in average temperature, sea-level and precipitation; and, Reducing and managing the risks associated with more frequent, severe and unpredictable extreme weather events.

An integrated approach to disaster risk reductionand climate change adaptation

There is significant convergence between the problems that disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation seek to address. As shown in Figure 1.1, populations already exposed to climate-related hazards and effects will be at greater risk due to a projected increase in the frequency and/or intensity of those hazards and effects as a result of global climate change.

Furthermore, populations exposed to hazards may experience stresses due to longer-term changes in the climate—such as changes in seasonality, unpredictable rainfall, and sea-level rise—that affect their livelihoods and health, making them more vulnerable to all types of shocks events and further changes.

Principles of disaster risk reduction

1. Increase understanding of the hazard and climate change context: 2. Recognize rights and responsibilities: the responsibilities of states

and governments as duty-bearers for the realization and enjoyment of human rights.

3. Strengthen participation of the population: All people at risk have the right to participate in decisions that affect their lives.

4. Promote systemic engagement and change: to build disaster and climate resilience should engage all sectors of society and government:

5. Foster synergy between multiple levels: Decisions and actions taken at each level should be mutually informative and facilitate the development of a coherent and coordinated approach.

Principles of disaster risk reduction

6. Draw on and build diverse sources of knowledge: Measures to build disaster and climate resilience should promote replication of effective practices, encourage autonomous innovation and introduce external technology to help address new challenges.

7. Instill flexibility and responsiveness: strategies and programs to build disaster and climate resilience should be flexible, to accommodate new inputs.

8. Address different timescales: building capacities to adapt to medium- and long-term effects of climate change

9. Do no harm: to build disaster and climate resilience should always incorporate an assessment of their potential negative impacts.

Tools of Disaster Risk Reduction DRR tools have been developed by a range of institutions, including research centers, government agencies, the UN, NGOs, and IGOs.

1. Policy and institutionsThis category includes the country’s overall policies, the legislative process, and the institutional framework for implementing measures.

2. Risk identification and early warningThis is a familiar area when thinking of disaster management activities—assessing the risks facing a community and determining which ones are likely to affect people. 3. Knowledge management and educationThis area of disaster risk reduction includes managing the information and data that has been gathered, educating people about their risks, and building people’s capacity to devise and implement risk reduction measures.

4. Reducing Underlying risks

Risks must not only be identified and institutional capacity in place; action to reduce the factors that increase risk is necessary.

Preparedness and responses

The steady growth of disaster risk, including the increase of people and assets exposure, combined with the lessons learned from past disasters, indicates the need to further strengthen disaster preparedness for response, take action in anticipation of events, integrate disaster risk reduction in response preparedness and ensure that capacities are in place for effective response and recovery at all levels.

National and local levels

To achieve this, it is important:

i. To promote the resilience of new and existing critical infrastructure

ii. To establish community centres

iii. To adopt public policies and actions

iv. To train the existing workforce and voluntary workers

v. To ensure the continuity of operations and planning,

vi. To promote regular disaster preparedness, response and recovery exercises

vii. To promote the incorporation of disaster risk management into post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation processes

viii. To develop guidance for preparedness for disaster reconstruction

Preparedness and responses (Contd.)

Global and regional levels

i. To enhance international mechanisms

ii. To support regional cooperation;

iii. To promote regional protocols;

iv. To develop regional approaches and operational mechanisms;

v. To train the existing workforce and volunteers

vi. To promote the further development and dissemination of instruments

Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in the early recovery context

Early recovery interventions seek to stabilize the economic, governance, human security and social equity situation. Early recovery interventions also seek to integrate risk reduction at the very early stages of the response to a specific crisis; and to lay the foundations for longer-term reconstruction .

ShelterUse locally available materials if possible Train local masons and construction workersLaunch a review of national building regulations and codes.Launch risk mapping to guide return, reconstruction and relocation processes.

Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in the early recovery context (Contd.)

Food security Use cash-for-work to help affected households meet food deficits ;Provide cash grants;Provide improved seed varieties;

LivelihoodsProvide cash grants/inputs for restoring viable, resilient livelihoods;offer incentives for experimentation;Facilitate access to micro-finance;Governance and institutional strengtheningSupport development/enforcement of building codes.Undertake rapid risk mapping

Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in the early recovery context (Contd.)

Launch contingency planning processes. Establish early warning systems and training for users. Introduce emergency drills for public service providers.

EducationProvide hazard-resilient materialsTeach safe constructionWashDistribute household water filtersEstablish and undertake capacity building of local water committees

More vulnerable groups and policies to reduce disaster risk

Disaster and climate change risks are not gender-neutral. The nature and extent of their exposure and vulnerability is different for women, men, girls and boys because of their different roles, responsibilities and access to resources.

ChildrenWherever disaster risk is high for the population in general, it is likely to be higher for children. In rapid-onset events, such as earthquakes and landslides, children in schools whose construction is not hazard-resilient are particularly vulnerable. Following all types of disaster events, children’s future wellbeing is also likely to be compromised. In households experiencing severe economic hardship, adolescent girls may be forced into early marriage or prostitution, and adolescent boys may be drawn into delinquency.

More vulnerable groups and policies to reduce disaster risk

PoliciesTraining and resources for institutions to involve children and young peopleSchool-feeding programs during and after cyclical hazardsProvide incentives for families to keep children in school.Cash transfer measures for families to reduce existing vulnerabilities.Engagement of youth clubs and children’s groups in participatory risk assessments.Structural strengthening of schools in relation to known hazards and the projected local effects of climate change.

More vulnerable groups and policies to reduce disaster risk

Women and men

Women may be less able to evacuate to a safe place because they are pregnant or caring for children and less mobile dependents. Women’s lack of formal land ownership may prevent them from accessing credit to introduce climate-adaptive measures

A decline in the productivity of traditional rural livelihoods may put men under pressure to migrate in search of work, or to undertake higher-risk livelihood activities in order to continue to provide for their families. Boys/men may not know how to feed and care for young children

More vulnerable groups and policies to reduce disaster risk

Policies regarding men and women Ensuring that women and men participate in planning

processes, training and drills for early warning and evacuations.

Providing safety-net cash transfers for household food security and basic needs directly to women.

Providing fodder and veterinary attention for animals traditionally kept by women and men.

Facilitating consultation of women and men in participatory risk analyses, and generating inputs from both

Supporting research on gendered impacts of disaster and climate change risk and successful practices in gender-sensitive programming.

More vulnerable groups and policies to reduce disaster risk

Older people

In general, older age can result in decreased mobility and muscle strength. These physical limitations may prevent older people from preparing for hazards and adaptation measures that require manual labor, such as planting trees to reduce soil erosion around crop lands, and, in the event of an emergency, it may also impede their escape.

Programming inclusive of older peopleEstablishing community networks that assist older people living alone to protect their houses and assetsPreparing contingency plans with health service providers to ensure continuity of operations during and after hazards.Facilitating participation in community risk assessment, knowledge sharing and decision-making processes.

More vulnerable groups and policies to reduce disaster risk

People with disabilities

Women, men and children with disabilities are often excluded from aspects of a community’s daily life because of a lack of awareness or assumptions made by other members of that community.

Policies Setting up neighbor-support networks to assist people with mental

and physical disabilities Situating wells and aid distribution points in locations that are

accessible to people with restricted mobility. Providing fuel-efficient stoves to households with people with

restricted mobility. Providing livelihood-diversification grants and training to people

with disabilities

Disaster Risk Reduction Programme in Bangladesh

The Disaster Risk Reduction Programme is an integrating part of the Cooperation Strategy Bangladesh , which clearly outlines the disaster-prone environment in Bangladesh. The Guiding Principles of the Cooperation Strategy Bangladesh apply to the DRR Programme as well. These are:

Supporting capacity development (i.e. organizational and human resource development) as the core task of SDC’s development cooperation

Scaling-up through policy dialogue based on field experience as well as through alliances, networking and dissemination

Exploring innovative opportunities and taking risks Fostering regional initiatives (programmes and projects) through exchange with

other countries in the region Alignment and harmonization: The SDC programme is aligned with the

“Hyogo Framework for Action 2005 - 2015” and promotes its implementation as reference for disaster risk reduction efforts, in collaboration with national and international partners. Furthermore, alignment with national strategies and systems will be sought for to the largest possible extent.

Disaster Risk Reduction Programme in Bangladesh (contd)…

Integrated Disaster Risk Management: There is a strong need to move the focus away from merely responding to disasters to disaster prevention and preparedness activities. Integrated disaster risk management uses a multi-risk approach, includes all relevant stakeholders and considers the risk management cycle.

Sustainability: All projects shall be economically efficient, environmentally friendly and socially accepted. A demand driven project identification shall increase local and national ownership for the projects, thus contributing to their sustainability.

Good governance: Disaster risk reduction contributes substantially to decentralization and participative processes. As such, the programme supports good governance efforts

Gender focus: A special focus is given to the needs and concerns of women before during and after natural disasters. A key factor to achieve gender equity is women’s empowerment, in particular their participation in decision-making in formal as well as in informal political structures. The gender equity approach will be integrated into the programme the project management cycle.

Disaster Risk Reduction Programme in Bangladesh (contd).. Exchange of experiences with other South Asian countries: SDC will contribute

to and facilitate the regional (in particular countries on the southern slopes of the Himalaya- Karakoram-Hindu Kush mountain ranges) mechanisms on regular sharing of knowledge and know how in disaster risk reduction. This concerns the exchange between the SDC CoOfs, as well as among institutions and between scientists and practitioners.

Knowledge Management: The exchange, systematization and dissemination of good practices and lessons learned and the access to information and knowledge is of particular concern. Equally important is the use, development and dissemination of community-based knowledge in DRR. Exchange with the SDC DRR Programmes in other regions contributes to mutual learning.

Visibility: Visibility plays a positive role in the replication of good practices and harmonization. The visibility of the programme shall be intensified through media contacts and special events.

Convergence of DRR and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA): There is a significant overlap between DRR and CCA. Even though according to SDC’s policies the Global Programme Climate Change (GPCC) does not work in Bangladesh as a focus country, SDC’s DRR activities, need to take into account the shifting risks associated with climate change and ensure that measures do not increase vulnerability to CC in the medium to long-term1 in order to have an impact.

Indicators of local risk governance

Inclusion and participation Participation by all, especially vulnerable and marginalized groups, in decision

making and implementation so that decision making happens at the right level. Gender equality, with women and men participating equally in decision making

and implementation. The specific needs of children and young people are taken into account. Partnerships exist between local government, community, private sector, civil

society, academia and others to foster knowledge co-generation.

Local capacity Risk reduction policies are in place to protect vulnerable people from disasters and

climate change (the elderly, ethnic minorities, children and youth, the disabled, migrants) and these policies are regularly reviewed.

Local risk reduction practices take into account local knowledge, skills and resources.

There is a local plan of action to turn policies into practice. Local government has an adequate budget for risk reduction activities.

Indicators of local risk governance (contd)..

Accountability and transparency A reference point or baseline has been established from which

to measure progress in implementing risk reduction policies. Communities and civil society are involved with local

government in monitoring risk reduction to make complaints and to get a response when there is a lack of progress.

Information gathering regularly takes place to collect, review and map disaster risks and climate change.

Updated and easily understood information about risks and prevention measures is regularly provided to vulnerable people.

Challenges for Governance Disaster and climate change risks pose many difficult challenges for governance. These

include- Distributional and equity linkages: Disasters and the impacts of climate change affect

different groups in different ways so there is no workable one-size-fits-all approach. This means that approaches need to take into consideration local contexts, and that responses are designed and implemented accordingly.

Societal reach: Climate change affects all sectors of society. This means that governments, institutions, etc. need to understand a multitude of cross-cutting issues and the interactions between these and climate change. This makes governance difficult and complex.

Scientific uncertainty: Although we know more than ever about climate change, disaster and climate change risk still pose enormous uncertainties, making decision making difficult.

Timescales: The time it takes for positive impacts in disaster and climate change responses to take effect may exceed government tenure which can make disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation unattractive to decision makers in government.

Global implications: The causes and impact of climate change are international, so the response must be a collective one. Yet coordinating international efforts on such a scale remains a major challenge, leaving issues of global governance largely unanswered.

Conclusion

Climate change is recognized as an emerging risk that must be included in current DRR and development planning. Policy makers and practitioners working on climate change adaptation should benefit from the experiences and knowledge amassed by the DRR community in dealing with extreme weather events and recurrent hydro-meteorological hazards. Utilizing DRR tools developed for existing risks is one such opportunity. By focusing on decreasing vulnerabilities to current weather and climate related risks communities will benefit now and be prepared for the risks posed by climate change.