The Emergence of a Globalized System for Disaster Risk Management and Challenges for Appropriate Governance

Abstract

Disaster risk management (DRM) is undergoing noteworthy changes, reflecting the broader shifts in global and local levels of governance. At the global level two significant changes are of interest: (1) the shift from monolithic structures of global governance to a wide range of organizations that can be brought together for specific purposes and (2) the emergence of a globalized system of DRM, with technological, organizational, and institutional capacities enhancing DRM's ability as a unit in near real time across the globe. At the local level there is an increase in ability to govern and develop creative solutions for complex problems that follow rapid urbanization. The importance of getting the global-local interface to work in tandem has been highlighted by recent hazard events, such as the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami. From a broad view of global and local shifts, a strategic role is becoming clearer at the national level for enhancing the relationships between the global and local levels. Through the influence of a globalized system of DRM, the local level can significantly improve its capacity without the heavy investment that might have been required to develop these capacities in isolation. One key to achieving this is a diffusion of DRM higher education, supported by an enhanced system of information flow.

Reflections on a Science and Technology Agenda for 21st Century Disaster Risk Reduction

“…In comparison, national networks and platforms have the influence, scope, and resources to create a wider and deeper impact. It is critical for local organizations to be able to access and influence their national partners to ensure two-way coproduction of knowledge and dissemination and use of science (Jensen et al 2015).…”

“…Alongside regional bodies, transnational/international organizations can play an important role in both providing credible and trustworthy advice from different countries to national authorities and their policymakers, as well as authoritative information to other stakeholders such as the media and the general public (Jensen et al 2015;OECD 2015). An important area of development could be to formally and informally recognize the links between DRR, development finance, sustainable development, and climate change to support their respective global communities of research, policy, and practice (Carabine 2015).…”

Earthquake Risk Assessment Approach Using Multiple Spatial Parameters for Shelter Demands

“…The model is comprised of comprehensive approaches based on multiple perspectives of risk and vulnerability. However, in [40], the proposed model is not sufficient for reflecting the real seismic potential of a city fully because various parameters are not considered such as capacity. However, the parameter capacity is addressed in [41][42][43][44] for the earthquake risk assessment based on resiliency parameters.…”

Do Catastrophes in Poor Countries Lead to Event-Related Policy Change?: The 2010 Earthquake in Haiti

“…Much has been written about the decline of the state in the last 20 years (Jensen et al, 2015). Nowhere is this truer than in disaster risk management.…”