3.2. Risk Avoiders

The word resilience has become an important dimension of the DRR and this is what the DFID defines as the department for international development of UK. It says the ability of countries, communities, and households to manage change, by maintaining or transforming living standards in the face of shocks or stresses such as earthquakes, droughts or violent conflict without compromising their long-term prospects.

Resilience refers to the capacity of individuals and communities to adapt to changes caused by disasters. It means their ability to keep their living standards stable during crises, such as natural disasters or conflicts, while still working towards a better future. This definition highlights that resilience is not just about bouncing back but also about improving overall conditions.

Imagine a village that faces a severe drought. The farmers have to manage their crops carefully to ensure they can survive the drought while also planning for the next planting season. By using water-saving techniques or diversifying the crops they grow, they can maintain their current way of life while also preparing for the future.

This has been developed again by the DFID in 1999. And you can see that it talks about the capital because they are referred as an asset framework as well and how the individual or a community, how they use, they, I would say like how they construct their livelihoods...

The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework looks at how individuals and communities utilize various forms of capital (like natural, human, social, and financial) to improve their livelihoods. It emphasizes that even if a community has access to natural resources, such as gold, it may still face challenges due to lack of infrastructure or governance.

Think of a community rich in natural resources, like gold. Despite having this wealth, if they lack roads, schools, or hospitals, they may not use those resources effectively. Without proper governance and access to education, the benefits of their natural resources may not reach all community members, leading to continued poverty.

So then as we discussed in the vulnerability context, how it also have a give and take aspect of this influencing these abilities you know because these are the how he manages, I mean the community manages to access these resources...

The vulnerability context encompasses various factors that affect how a community accesses resources. These include their economic situation, governance, and existing infrastructure. If these factors are not conducive, then even with available resources, communities might struggle to improve their livelihoods.

Imagine a community trying to fish. If they have boats (resources) but lack training or safe harbors (infrastructure), they may not be able to fish effectively. This illustrates how vulnerability affects their ability to utilize available assets.

Here we call about DFIDs resilience framework, so one is the first part which talks about the context and where the context talks about the whole system and the processes...

The DFID's Resilience Framework outlines the importance of understanding the broader context, including political, social, and geographical factors, in assessing resilience. It emphasizes how communities can face shocks and stresses and the varying capacities to adapt to these challenges.

Think of a safety net at a circus. If the net is wider and adjusts to the performer’s movements, it helps protect them from falling. Similarly, understanding the surrounding context helps provide better support for a community facing crisis situations.

And they also list out the government roles in DRR. So it plays a number of roles, one is as a providers of DRR goods and services for instance, maintaining early warning systems, emergency response...

Governments play multiple critical roles in disaster risk reduction, including providing essential services, regulating private sector involvement, promoting collective action, and coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives. These roles help ensure that communities are better prepared for disasters.

Consider a local government that works with schools and local businesses to develop a disaster preparedness plan. This collaboration helps ensure that everyone in the community knows what to do during an emergency, improving overall safety and resilience.

And then how they influence outcomes whether these outcomes in the form of plans, in the form of inaction, it could be in the form of surveys like the technical data could work on the surveys...

The decision-making process in disaster risk management involves various factors, including political pressures, public interests, and institutional constraints. Understanding these influences can help clarify why certain decisions are made and how to improve future responses.

Think of organizing a community event. The planning committee must consider location, budget, and community preferences. Likewise, disaster response involves weighing different pressures and constraints to reach the best possible outcomes.

First of all, one has to look at there are two, one is guided, and the other one is a kind of participation oriented...

Community engagement ranges from guiding the community's involvement to enabling full participation and control. The level of control influences how engaged and invested a community is in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.

Picture a school project where students can either just follow the teacher's instructions or have a say in what they learn and how they express it. When students have more control, they are more excited and invested in the project outcomes.

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