Factors Influencing the Policy Formulations & Strategies for Disaster Risk Reduction

Abstract

Abstract

Disasters are evolving and creating impacts in new shapes and sizes with each passing year. Types of risks and related consequence are growing resulting in unexpected outcomes. Although there are advances in warning systems and planning for disasters leading to reduction in casualties in sole disaster events, new dangers are emerging due to overlapping occurrences and intermixing of risk factors. It is critical that all stakeholders participate actively in the preparation of the disaster management plan breaking down the barriers between separate disciplines for better understanding and strategies formulations.

A strategy is a specific plan developed to achieve organisational goals and objectives, whereas a policy is a set of guidelines developed by an organisation to help it make rationalised operational decisions. The exploratory study aims for identifying the various significant factors which influence the disaster risks and are required to be clearly understood for the development of appropriate policies and strategies for disaster risk reduction. The literature was reviewed for identifying the factors having significant impact in the research area with due consideration to multidisciplinary nature of disaster management. After analyses and synthesis of different literature reviews, recurring factors were identified and summarised in the paper.

The various factors of influence identified are: 1) Decision Making Theories 2) Disaster & Development 3) Built Environment & Construction Industry 4) Critical Infrastructure 5) Interdisciplinary & Collaborative Approach 6) Community Resilience 7) Disaster Impacts on different sections of society 8) Administrative arrangements including visionary approach, finance, political interventions, effective communication & accountability 9) Indigenous Knowledge & Technological Interventions

There are different theories based on the rational, irrational decisions or stakeholders behind the decision making process. Decisions related with disaster management are based upon set of challenges considering short/long term requirements with focus towards normalcy and reforms. It is a process towards desired solution based upon various rational/irrational assumptions [1].

Exploration of the relationship between disaster & development is necessary to achieve catastrophe risk reduction, sustainable development, and related policy goals [2]. While disaster management encompasses many aspects, it appears that those linked to the built environment are of particular importance. The Habitat Agenda promoted the establishment of acceptable land use standards and byelaws, as well as norms for construction and planning on the basis of technical hazard & vulnerability assessments [3]).The operation and function of vital facilities & infrastructure is of extreme importance during disaster operations. Critical facilities, such as emergency response units, hospitals, etc. and their related support systems together should be well panned to face for the disaster conditions [4].

Although there is more awareness among stakeholders but still little is known about integration of Indigenous knowledge with disaster planning [5]. Technological interventions like artificial intelligence, Internet of things along with smart devices, utility computing networking & digital transformations has opened new avenues for disaster management [6].

The related study aims to find out the various factors behind efficient disaster management policies and strategies. Thorough understanding of these factors will help in identifying the vulnerability and risks associated with disaster management. Furthermore these factors will provide the foundation for identifying the gaps between policies & strategies & identifying the preparedness and capacitative capabilities with regard to disaster management.

Understanding underlying factors having influence on formulations of various strategies and policies can add new dimensions and values to disaster management. The disaster management and sustainable development are closely related and both must be planned in harmony with each other. The Construction Industry specifically the critical infrastructure and support systems are critical sectors for efficient catastrophe protection. Disasters impact differently to the various sections of the society. Indigenous knowledge together with technological interventions can improve disaster resilience. Interdisciplinary & Collaborative methods are required to be adopted to deal with disaster impacts in broader perspective. Administrative factors like visionary approach, political interventions, finance, effective communication, accountability & community perspective have a definite role in disaster planning. The multi-organisation and multidisciplinary approach in dealing with the single or multiple hazard situations is the new appropriate direction for the management of all stages of disaster and can improve disaster resilience by manifolds.