2.1. Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction

I will briefly introduce you to the Global Assessment Report on disaster risk reduction. This has been prepared by Cassidy Johnson and her team. In 2011, this has been developed by ISDR.

The Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction provides an overview of disaster risk management efforts, particularly focusing on low and middle-income countries. Prepared by Cassidy Johnson and her team in 2011 by ISDR (International Strategy for Disaster Reduction), the report aims to evaluate current disaster risk reduction strategies and identify gaps in implementation and best practices.

Consider the report as a health check-up for a community that is prone to diseases (disasters). Just like a doctor evaluates health risks and suggests improvements, the report assesses how prepared communities are for potential disasters and what can be done to mitigate them.

The focus has been laid on the low and middle-income countries because the DRR aspect, the challenges in the DRR is very much pertinent to these low and middle-income groups.

The emphasis on low and middle-income countries arises because these areas often face unique and heightened challenges in disaster risk management. Economic constraints may limit their ability to implement effective disaster response measures or building codes, making them more vulnerable to the impacts of disasters.

Think of it like a school with students from various backgrounds. Students with more resources (high-income countries) have better access to learning materials, while those with fewer resources (low and middle-income countries) struggle to keep up. Similarly, low-income countries need additional support to handle disaster risks.

When we talk about the reducing disaster risks in the built environment, there are 2 approaches to it; one is the location approach, the second one is the design approach.

The two key approaches to managing disaster risks in the built environment are:

1. Location Approach: This involves strategic land use planning to locate buildings and infrastructure in safer areas, away from high-risk zones.
2. Design Approach: This focuses on constructing buildings that can withstand disasters by adhering to specific design standards and regulations.

Imagine a family deciding where to build a new house. The location approach would mean choosing a spot away from flood-prone zones, while the design approach would be ensuring the house is built with strong materials and architectural features to withstand severe storms.

When we say land-use planning means obviously, there are different processes that go hand in hand to each other and it goes in a particular sequence.

Land use planning is a critical process that includes identifying risk areas, zoning them according to risk levels (high, moderate, low), and strategically planning open spaces for evacuation or other emergency needs. This helps in organizing urban spaces for effective disaster management.

Think of land use planning like organizing furniture in a room. Just as you wouldn't place a fragile lamp near a high-traffic area to avoid breakage, planners must avoid high-risk areas for vulnerable buildings to ensure safety during disasters.

Here, we need to incorporate to set out some open areas that could be used for the evacuation or emergency housing, in case of disaster.

Strategic spatial planning requires the integration of open areas for emergencies, ensuring infrastructure is in place for quick evacuation and relief. This involves calculating potential hazard zones and designing urban layouts that facilitate smooth emergency responses.

Imagine planning a community event in a park. You'd designate areas for different activities, ensuring there's space for emergency services. Similarly, urban planners must ensure enough open space for people to safely gather and be helped during a disaster.

There have been many challenges, poverty being one of the challenges, education being another challenge, so like that, there are many aspects which and cultural compliance.

In many low and middle-income countries, regulatory frameworks exist but are often not adequately implemented due to challenges like poverty, lack of education, and cultural barriers. These obstacles can hinder effective adoption of disaster risk reduction measures.

It's akin to having rules in a school that some students don’t understand or can’t follow due to their circumstances, leading to chaos in the classroom. Effective DRR requires not only rules but support systems that enable all communities to comply.

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