International Journal of Disaster Risk Management
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A Cross-National Study of Disaster Risk Management: Strengths and Weaknesses in Bulgaria, Romania, and Albania with Reflections on Serbia
Get PDFThis study examines disaster risk management systems in Bulgaria, Romania, and Albania, highlighting their distinct strengths and weaknesses while drawing comparisons to Serbia’s framework. The research underscores the growing urgency of disaster risk management in addressing challenges posed by natural and man-made (technological) hazards, which are further aggravated by climate change, globalisation, and socio-economic shifts. The study identifies best practices alongside systemic weaknesses by assessing the normative, institutional, and strategic frameworks of these countries. Key strengths include comprehensive legal systems, robust international partnerships, and sophisticated early warning mechanisms. However, these strengths are counterbalanced by limited local capacity, fragmented institutional coordination, and inadequate public awareness. The analysis highlights the potential for regional cooperation through a comparative lens, emphasising the importance of engaging local communities, enhancing early warning technologies, and aligning with global disaster management standards. The findings offer valuable insights into ongoing discussions about constructing resilient societies, providing practical recommendations to enhance disaster risk management systems across Southeastern Europe
Factors of Vulnerability and Resilience of Persons with Disabilities During Disasters: Challenges and Strategies for Inclusive Risk Reduction
Get PDFPersons with disabilities (PWDs) are among the most at-risk groups during disaster situations due to various physical, sensory, cognitive, and systemic challenges that hinder their ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises. Although international legal frameworks emphasise their inclusion, people with disabilities (PWDs) often struggle to access essential resources, emergency assistance, and social protections during such events. This study examines both the vulnerabilities and strengths of people with disabilities (PWDs) in disaster risk management, highlighting the critical need for inclusive policies, enhanced accessibility measures, and stronger community-based support systems. It reviews key international, European, and national legal instruments designed to protect the rights of people with disabilities (PWDs) in disaster contexts while identifying gaps in their implementation. Furthermore, the research examines the active role people with disabilities (PWDs) can play in disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery, advocating for their meaningful participation in decision-making processes. By embedding inclusive disaster risk reduction strategies, societies can enhance resilience, ensure equitable access to emergency services, and foster long-term social inclusion for people with disabilities (PWDs). The findings emphasise the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, adaptive infrastructure, and targeted policy initiatives to bridge the gap between legal mandates and practical realities in disaster management
Project DINGGIN: Empowering Communities through Risk‐Based and Inclusive Cash Transfer in Disaster‐Prone Areas in Bangladesh and Philippines
Get PDFDisaster-prone communities in Albay, Philippines and Bhola, Bangladesh, face recurring typhoons, cyclones, and floods that simultaneously destroy homes, disrupt livelihoods, and threaten food security. Traditional cash transfer programs (CTPs) for disaster relief often lack inclusive, risk-informed design and fail to account for the intersectional vulnerabilities of at-risk groups. Project DINGGIN (Dynamic Inclusive Network for Governance, Guidance, Intersectionality, and Nexus) addresses this gap by developing a risk-based, community-informed cash transfer framework. The approach bridges bottom-up risk data gathered through household surveys, participatory risk mapping, focus groups, and interviews with top-down policy frameworks within a humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach. Data from Albay and Bhola revealed that affected households prioritise simultaneous home rebuilding and income recovery; however, existing cash assistance is fragmented and not well-coordinated. Using a decision-support dashboard, local governments and communities co-developed tailored Cash Transfer Values (CTVs) reflecting each community’s specific disaster risks and socioeconomic needs. The results demonstrate that an integrated cash transfer strategy—addressing shelter, food, and livelihoods together—can provide immediate relief while strengthening long-term resilience. For example, households in high-risk zones received larger grants for shelter reinforcement and livelihood restoration, aligning assistance with locally identified needs. This risk-informed, inclusive CTP model improved community ownership and met humanitarian Sphere standards for equity and adequacy. The discussion of Project DINGGIN’s pilot indicates strengthened multi-sectoral coordination and highlights areas for improvement, such as providing multi-phase support beyond the emergency phase, offering financial literacy training to beneficiaries, and implementing adaptive disbursement schedules. The study concludes that empowering communities to co-design cash interventions not only ensures a more effective disaster response but also institutionalises resilience-building for future crises, aligning with national disaster management plans and international frameworks
Network Structure in Disaster Response: The Mediating Role of Coordination Within a Humanitarian Organizational Network in Uganda
Get PDFThere is limited academic endeavour to study the mediating role of coordination in the relationship between network structure and disaster response in the context of humanitarian organisations. Furthermore, much of the research focuses on identifying challenges rather than offering deeper insights about this study. Moreover, most disaster management research centres on Western countries with well-established response systems and planned coordination. This overlooks the unique realities of less developed countries, such as Uganda, where humanitarian contexts are more complex and response systems are less organised. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design, utilising quantitative methods. A survey was conducted using questionnaires administered to seventy (70) humanitarian organisations, particularly those that participated in the three (3) Ugandan disasters highlighted in this study. Findings suggest that the structure of the humanitarian organisational network impacts disaster response, and coordination mediates the relationship between network structure and disaster response. The study concludes that disaster response is dependent on a well-structured humanitarian organisational network, and without coordination, disaster response efforts are likely to be ineffective. This study further provides both theoretical and practical implications, especially for disaster scholars and practitioners in developing countries
Predictors of Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Among Adult Residents in Selected Highly-Dense Barangays in Tondo, Manila
Get PDFThe Philippines\u27 geographical location and high population density, along with the effects of climate change, make the country vulnerable to disasters like typhoons, fires, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Densely populated areas, such as Tondo, Manila, are especially at risk, necessitating stronger community disaster preparedness and response efforts. Thus, this study examined the predictors and level of disaster response self-efficacy (DRSE) among adult residents of highly dense barangays in Tondo, Manila. The study utilised a descriptive correlational research design. A total of 281 participants from three selected, highly dense barangays in Tondo, Manila, were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using an adapted and validated instrument that assessed disaster response self-efficacy and its associated predictors. The reliability of the instrument was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha, and the data were analysed using multiple linear regression in IBM SPSS Version 25. Significant predictors of disaster response self-efficacy included community support (B = 0.382, p < 0.000), past disaster experience (B = 0.196, p < 0.000), perceived susceptibility (B = 0.169, p = 0.006), and monthly income (B = -0.00000685, p = 0.005). No significant associations were observed for gender, education level, duration of residence, geographical perspective, or perceived severity of the condition. Overall, participants exhibited high disaster response self-efficacy. Community support, past disaster experiences, and perceived susceptibility all enhance disaster response self-efficacy in highly dense urban populations, while income constraints appear to be a limiting factor. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies to strengthen community resilience and preparedness in vulnerable areas
Ensuring Disaster Management Practices in Academic Libraries of Ghana: The Issues at Hand
Get PDFThe study focused on ensuring disaster management practices in academic libraries of Ghana, with a specific emphasis on a technical university library in Ghana. The convenience sampling method was used to select the study participants. The participants consisted of 455 respondents drawn from the university community. The study adopted a descriptive survey. The researchers used a Five-point Likert scale questionnaire to measure the various constructs. The researchers on the campus of a technical university in Ghana administered this. Out of 455 questionnaires distributed, 443 were valid for analysis. This represented 97.4% of the sample size and was valid for analysis. Using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 computer software, the data obtained were analysed. The results showed that all the hypotheses tested indicated a positive relationship between the independent variables (Causes of Disaster, Technological Approaches, Challenges of Disaster Management, and Disaster Management Policy) and the dependent variable (Disaster Management Practices), except for the relationship between Challenges of Effective Management and the dependent variable. This suggests that the management of academic libraries in ensuring practical disaster management issues of the causes of disasters such as flooding, power fluctuations, power surges, fire outbreaks, roof leakages, earthquakes, mutilation, hacking of the library computers, plumbing defects as well as activities of pests (termites, cockroaches, rodents) among others should be given attention. The study recommends implementing technological approaches, such as fire detectors, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fire alarms, and CCT cameras, among others, to mitigate the occurrence of natural disasters. The study further recommends that academic libraries, in their pursuit of achieving effective disaster management, should develop a disaster recovery plan and policy to guide implementation. The policy should outline timelines for staff training, periodic inspections, security upgrades, repair of leakages and assembly points, and creation of awareness about disasters and emergency response lines, among others, as they form the core elements of ensuring disaster management practices in an emergency
Declination of the Strategic Compass: Transatlantic Elites, German Leadership, and the Future of European Security
Get PDFThe appointment of Friedrich Merz as Germany’s new Chancellor, following an unusual repeat vote, marked a significant shift in German and broader European political dynamics. This paper examines the enduring influence of transatlantic networks, notably the Atlantic Bridge (Atlantik-Brücke), on Germany’s strategic orientation within the evolving European security architecture. Through comparative and analytical-deductive methods, the study explores how elite transnational structures, shaped by economic and ideological power centres, influence the implementation and limitations of the European Union’s Strategic Compass for Security and Defence. The paper argues that this strategic framework, conceived as a response to contemporary crises such as the war in Ukraine, may be increasingly subject to “declinations” driven by competing geopolitical interests and internal legitimacy challenges within EU member states. By tracing the personal and institutional ties of key actors, including Chancellor Merz, the paper sheds light on the deeper geopolitical alignments that underpin NATO-EU cooperation and transatlantic risk governance. The findings highlight the urgent need for a more balanced and citizen-oriented security strategy if lasting peace and stability are to be achieved in Europe
Evaluating Puntland’s Disaster Risk Management Policy: Institutional Preparedness, Community Engagement and Implementation Challenges
Get PDFDisaster Risk Management (DRM) plays a pivotal role in governance, particularly in regions prone to recurrent hazards, such as Puntland, Somalia. This study critically examines the effectiveness of Puntland’s 2014 DRM Policy, focusing on institutional preparedness, community participation, and implementation challenges. It assesses whether the policy remains relevant in mitigating disaster risks, aligns with global frameworks, and integrates effectively into Puntland’s governance system. Findings indicate significant policy gaps, including weak institutional coordination, inadequate financial resources, and minimal public engagement in disaster response efforts. A case study of Qardho district illustrates the real-world impact of these shortcomings, particularly in response delays and ineffective recovery strategies. The study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive policy revision that enhances institutional capacity, defines clear stakeholder responsibilities, ensures sustainable funding, and promotes meaningful community involvement. Aligning Puntland’s DRM strategy with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Somalia National DRM Policy (2020) can strengthen regional resilience and adaptive capacity. By addressing these deficiencies, Puntland can establish a more effective, inclusive DRM framework that safeguards vulnerable communities and mitigates disaster risks.
Conflict Risk Monitoring for Conflict Prevention in Ethiopia: The Case of Ataye Towen, North Shewa, Amhara Region
Get PDFThis study investigates the effectiveness of conflict monitoring within early warning systems in Ethiopia, focusing on Ataye town in the North Shewa Administrative Zone. A mixed-methods approach with a sequential exploratory design was employed. Data were collected through key informant interviews with 20 stakeholders, surveys from 385 respondents (253 males and 127 females), focus groups, and document reviews. Qualitative data were analysed thematically, while quantitative data were examined using descriptive and inferential statistics. Key findings highlight the significant roles of institutional actors, including peace councils, peace clubs, interfaith councils, and community monitors, in fostering grassroots conflict awareness and vigilance. However, a critical gap was identified in the uniformity of conflict indicators, as 44 indicators from the Minister of Peace varied from those used by the police and disaster management, undermining coherent monitoring efforts. Recommendations include strengthening the capacities of monitoring institutions, standardising conflict indicators for consistency, and establishing conflict early warning curricula in higher education to train qualified personnel. These measures aim to enhance Ethiopia\u27s conflict monitoring and prevention strategies, effectively addressing the complexities of inter-ethnic conflicts
Disaster Management Laws in India: Past, Present, and Future Directions
Get PDFDisaster management in India has significantly evolved over the years in response to the increasing frequency and severity of natural and man-made disasters. This paper examines the historical evolution of India\u27s legal framework for disaster management, critically assessing its effectiveness and providing recommendations for future legal and policy reforms. The study utilises a qualitative historical analysis to examine key legal documents, statutes, and regulations, tracing the evolution from colonial-era, relief-based laws to the present, more comprehensive risk-reduction models. The findings highlight the transition from a reactive, relief-focused approach to a more proactive, comprehensive risk-reduction model that aligns more closely with international best practices. The paper identifies the challenges faced by current legal frameworks, particularly in integrating advanced technologies and involving local governance in disaster management. Moreover, it emphasises the incorporation of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) into disaster management laws to enhance preparedness, response, and long-term recovery efforts. By focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the study advocates for enhancing the effectiveness of disaster management strategies. The paper concludes with recommendations for future reforms to strengthen India\u27s legal infrastructure and integrate emerging technologies, thereby enhancing disaster resilience nationwide