Multistakeholder Participation in Disaster Management—The Case of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting society’s health, economy, environment and development. COVID-19 has claimed many lives across the globe and severely impacted the livelihood of a considerable section of the world’s population. We are still in the process of finding optimal and effective solutions to control the pandemic and minimise its negative impacts. In the process of developing effective strategies to combat COVID-19, different countries have adapted diverse policies, strategies and activities and yet there are no universal or comprehensive solutions to the problem. In this context, this paper brings out a conceptual model of multistakeholder participation governance as an effective model to fight against COVID-19. Accordingly, the current study conducted a scientific review by examining multi-stakeholder disaster response strategies, particularly in relation to COVID-19. The study then presents a conceptual framework for multistakeholder participation governance as one of the effective models to fight against COVID-19. Subsequently, the article offers strategies for rebuilding the economy and healthcare system through multi-stakeholder participation, and gives policy directions/decisions based on evidence to save lives and protect livelihoods. The current study also provides evidence about multidimensional approaches and multi-diplomatic mechanisms during the COVID-19 crisis, in order to examine dimensions of multi-stakeholder participation in disaster management and to document innovative, collaborative strategic directions across the globe. The current research findings highlight the need for global collaboration by working together to put an end to this pandemic situation through the application of a Multi-Stakeholder Spatial Decision Support System (MS-SDSS).

Cross-sector Decision Landscape in Response to COVID-19: A Qualitative Analysis of North Carolina Decision-Makers

“…21 Our finding that cross-sector collaborations were critical components of the COVID-19 pandemic response builds upon several prior studies illustrating specific collaborations emerging in response to COVID-19-related needs, ranging from childcare for healthcare workers to local COVID-19 surveillance through school districts. [22][23][24][25] In line with our findings, prior work has emphasized the importance of community engagement in comprehensive pandemic responses and the necessity of communicating with stakeholders amidst changing, uncertain information. 26 Challenges with community-based approaches, however, include balancing the need to respond quickly with the time it takes to meaningfully garner stakeholder perspectives.…”

“…21 Our finding that cross-sector collaborations were critical components of the COVID-19 pandemic response builds upon several prior studies illustrating specific collaborations emerging in response to COVID-19-related needs, ranging from childcare for healthcare workers to local COVID-19 surveillance through school districts. 22-25…”

The Great Lockdown in the Wake of COVID-19 and Its Implications: Lessons for Low and Middle-Income Countries

“…To address COVID-19, transdisciplinary approaches to structuring and decision making tend to be very helpful. Furthermore, conceptual multi-stakeholder and spatial decision support systems can help enrich crisis-management decision making by bringing out a synergic link amongst multi-stakeholders [ 19 ].…”

For profit and progress: Rethinking the role of the private sector in humanitarian action

“…This catalysed private sector engagement in other aspects of DRM and emergency preparedness (UNOCHA and DHL;Thapa et al, 2015). The More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the need for a multi-sectoral response to large-scale disasters while emphasising the crucial role that the private sector now plays in assisting humanitarian action in different countries, including in Asia (Panneer et al, 2021;World Economic Forum, 2020). In Nepal, private sector engagement in the pandemic response and management became critical in mitigating the crisis, as the public health system's capacity was often exceeded at the provincial, municipal, and community levels (Adhikari et al, 2020).…”