Community Risk Programme | Goal, Rationale and Critical Issues
Goal
To improve disaster risk management practices to build safer and more resilient communities
The overall goal of the programme is to provide effective regional support and coordination through partnership collaboration to strengthen national disaster risk management practices to contribute to the successful implementation of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Framework for Action 2005-2015 towards building safer and more resilient communities to disasters.
Programme Rationale
The programme rationale is based on the fact that the Pacific is acknowledged as being among the most threatened regions in the world, with the continuing presence of natural, human induced, technological and environmental hazards. Whilst the threats presented by these hazards may be seasonal or differ from country to country in respect to type, frequency or intensity, no country is immune to their devastating impacts.
The continuing increase in the occurrence of hazardous events in the Pacific coupled with population growth, poverty, urbanisation and inappropriate development activities are only compounding the situation and demanding new solutions. These solutions must effectively address the underlying cause and effects of disasters. The use of an integrated disaster risk management approach is considered essential to the development of appropriate national mitigation strategies.
The associated costs of recovery and reconstruction from disasters, plus the loss of development opportunities, is forcing national governments, donors and NGOs to seriously consider the need for the development of more proactive and integrated disaster reduction and risk management policies and programmes to replace the current ad-hoc activities approach to disaster response.
Despite the best efforts of countries, regional organisations and international donors during the past decade the capacity of many SOPAC member countries to effectively deal with the impacts of major disasters remains fragile. In some cases it is almost non-existent whilst in others, despite whatever progress has been made, it remains tenuous in terms of its sustainability. Clearly the reduction of community vulnerability can only be achieved through a more consolidated and integrated approach that strengthens the resilience of Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This approach, which is reflected in the new programme, targets the improvement of current disaster management practices whilst at the same time addressing the underlying problem of understanding the cause and effects of the hazards themselves.
Whilst not all risks to development result from the impact of disasters, community resilience and risk reduction need to be central to any programmes designed to achieve and maintain sustainable development.
The SOPAC approach to the management of community risks is based on the fact that risk itself involves two elements – ‘sources of risk’ (hazards) and ‘elements at risk’ (vulnerable communities, economies infrastructure and environment). Our comparative advantage lies in the key areas of scientific research and analysis of hazards (sources of risk), understanding of community and environmental vulnerability (elements at risk) and through existing expertise in regional coordination, disaster management and capacity building.
In determining the priorities for the programme SOPAC has taken into account the
relative isolation, increasing vulnerability and resource limitations of Pacific SIDS and their particular need for an integrated, comprehensive and whole-of-government approach to the management of disaster risk.
Critical Issues
The challenge of achieving sustainable development goals, including the reduction of poverty and protection of the environment, cannot be achieved unless we take into account the impacts of hazards on vulnerable communities.
The risks posed by such hazards can only be effectively reduced and managed as part of the development process by adopting a broader and more integrated approach to disaster reduction and risk management. This will involve the encouragement of SOPAC Island members at risk to become more engaged in the conscious management of risk and reduction of vulnerability, expanding beyond the traditional approach to disaster preparedness, response and recovery. This does not mean that efforts to improve the overall management of disasters is any less important it simply means that those efforts are integrated into a broader framework for dealing with the management of communities at risk. The economic impacts of disaster losses are not so much the dollar value but rather the costs in terms of the percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These losses can be reflected in loss of employment and trade, which in the case of the Pacific Island Countries, can prolong the process of full recovery and impede future development activities.
Vulnerability can be described as the degree to which socio-economic systems or environmental assets are either susceptible or resilient to the impact of hazards. It can be determined by a combination of factors including awareness of the hazards, condition of infrastructure, national policy and the quality of the disaster management arrangements and practices. The levels of vulnerability combined with the likelihood and potential consequences of an event that may arise determine levels of community risk.
Community vulnerability to hazards and poverty is also integrally linked and mutually reinforcing. The poor are compelled to exploit environmental resources for survival, therefore increasing both the risk and exposure to disasters, particularly those triggered by floods, drought and landslides. The fact that SOPAC member countries are small island states surrounded by large ocean mass only serves to increase their level of vulnerability.
Unfortunately the least developed countries of the region are also commonly subject to high rates of population growth with its associated poverty, social and economic pressures such as migration and unemployment. These factors also make people more vulnerable by forcing them to live in unsafe locations. Rapid and uncontrolled growth of major urban centres and spontaneous peri-urban settlements are contributing to increased levels of vulnerability in the region. The potential for devastating cyclones and earthquakes in these fast growing urban areas only highlights the need for a more coordinated approach to urban planning as natural hazards can trigger technological hazards in a domino effect.
The emerging risks in the region include the effects of climate variability and the increasing degradation of the environment. Environmental degradation often exacerbates the effects of natural hazards and can be the factor that transforms a climate extreme, such as a heavy downpour, into a disaster. Predicted sea level rises in the region would lead to increased incidences of coastal erosion, storm surges and damage to human settlements.
Good governance at the national government level must include the embracing of and commitment to an integrated approach to disaster risk management practices. Advocacy strategies must also be developed and implemented in a coordinated way that allows all stakeholders to understand and recognise the need for change.
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