International Journal of Disaster Risk Management
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Sustainable Recovery: the Link Between Development and Response to Disasters
Get PDFThis paper examines the critical role of sustainable recovery in strengthening disaster risk resilience through the integration of sustainable development principles into strategic planning and policy frameworks. Sustainable recovery comes as a result of respecting the basic principles of sustainable development when making strategic plans in all areas essential for responding to risk conditions that can lead to disasters. To raise awareness of the importance of sustainability, it is necessary to incorporate this concept into the teaching contents of all educational levels, especially when training personnel for disaster risk prevention and reduction. The aim is to analyze the interconnectedness of sustainability and resilience, focusing on how local knowledge, scientific methods, and strategic planning can mitigate vulnerabilities and enhance community preparedness for disasters. The findings highlight that communities which prioritize sustainable practices and incorporate disaster risk reduction measures into their development strategies demonstrate higher levels of resilience to hazards. Also, the practice has shown that the most resilient communities are those that base their development strategies on respect for local specificities and knowledge of scientific methods derived from previous experiences with numerous risks and their consequences. This study also identifies key factors contributing to vulnerability, emphasizing the importance of education, intersectoral collaboration, and policy reforms in fostering long-term resilience. Vulnerability comes as a result of many factors, the knowledge of which can contribute to raising the level of community resistance to hazards and risks to which the area is exposed. The phenomenon of sustainable development or sustainability as well as sustainable recovery is a major catalyst for change in government policies and legal frameworks, which has dramatically changed the role and behavior of nations. Politics, economy, ecology, geographical characteristics of the area and climatic conditions in combination with personnel potential can be part of the solution, but also the source of the problem. The results underscore the necessity for integrating sustainability principles at all levels of governance to achieve a holistic approach to disaster risk reduction and community resilience. Future research should focus on developing standardized indicators for measuring sustainable recovery and resilience across diverse socio-economic and geographical contexts
A Systematic Literary Review on Community Resilience Indicators: Adaptation and Application of the BRIC Method for Measuring Disasters Resilience
Get PDFCommunity resilience represents an important concept in the comprehensive approach to disaster management. It is assumed that optimal community resilience can mitigate negative impacts and enable adaptation, thereby reducing the negative consequences of future disasters. The measurement of community resilience to disasters has advanced over the past two decades, primarily through the use of indicators that measure community resilience indices. The Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) represent an increasingly popular and frequently used quantitative method for measuring community resilience indices to disasters. This literature review was conducted to examine and assess the use and adaptation of the BRIC method in measuring community resilience. The review comprehensively analyzes relevant scientific papers, extracting and synthesizing the most important findings from the studies, which provided the necessary data to meet the objectives of the literature review. A total of 37 relevant studies were identified for analysis in the review. The indicators used were examined, including their selection, grouping, and evaluation procedures, as well as the calculation of the appropriate index. The review also covered the method of data collection needed to measure the impact of indicators on resilience, as well as the shortcomings of this process. The measurement of community resilience to disasters is a contemporary issue, with several detected shortcomings in the process itself. The need to adapt the BRIC method to the local context has been established. Improving the process of determining indicators and measuring indices would lead to broader use of the method in efforts to reduce disaster risk and enhance resilience to disasters
Industrial Disasters and Hazards: From Causes to Consequences—A Holistic Approach to Resilience
Get PDFStarting from accelerated industrial development, industrial disasters (chemical spills, explosions, nuclear accidents, etc.), which fall under man-made (technological) disasters, increasingly threaten human lives, the environment, and property. Their complexity and far-reaching consequences, both at the local and global levels, require effective management of industrial risks and the disasters themselves (preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery). For these reasons, the review paper aims to provide a holistic description of the diverse causes, dynamics, and multidimensional consequences of disasters. Additionally, it highlights and explains the key factors that directly or indirectly contribute to their occurrence. Furthermore, it could be said that the paper analyzes existing strategies for managing risks from industrial disasters and systematizes recommendations for improving preventive and reactive measures in high-risk industries. On the other side, the paper utilizes a comprehensive literature review, which involves the systematic identification, review, analysis, and critical evaluation of existing scientific papers, studies, reports, and regulatory documents on industrial disasters. Besides that, it also includes a detailed analysis of well-known industrial disaster cases such as Seveso (Italy, 1976), Bhopal (India, 1984), Chernobyl (Ukraine, then USSR, 1986), and Fukushima (Japan, 2011). The paper emphasizes that industrial disasters are often the result of the combined influence and interaction of technical failures, human errors, and inadequately developed safety procedures. Moreover, it can be highlighted that the design and implementation of preventive measures, such as regular maintenance of technical systems and systematic training and education of employees, are crucial for reducing the likelihood of such catastrophic events. The implications of this review paper are multifaceted and point to the following: the need to reassess current safety practices in industries; reconsider the potential for introducing innovations in preventive technical-technological solutions; examine the thorough implementation of innovative early warning systems, safety procedures, and modern equipment in facilities; improve cooperation between engineers, safety managers, and regulatory workers; reassess the need for additional updates and tightening of regulations regarding the storage, transport, and use of hazardous materials in industry; and improve the management of risks from industrial disasters
State Aid in Reconstruction of Natural and Other Disasters’ Consequences Using the Budget Funds of the Republic of Serbia
Get PDFFinancial law theory and practice emphasize the need to apply appropriate instruments to ensure the equitable use of collected public revenues, not only to achieve the fiscal interests of the country but also to address society’s non-fiscal needs. However, despite the efforts to regulate state and society, events that arise from natural forces and the effects of natural laws create risks and threats that can significantly disrupt the natural balance and tranquillity of citizens, the economy, and the broader social community. Recognizing these challenges, the Republic of Serbia has established a legal framework to provide state aid for the reconstruction of disaster consequences, aiming to restore and offer assistance to citizens and businesses that have suffered material damage. This paper explores the public\u27s perception of this state aid system and evaluates its effectiveness in addressing disaster impacts. The main objective of the study is to assess the effectiveness of the state aid system in mitigating the consequences of natural and other disasters and to determine the extent to which the system contributes to the protection of citizens\u27 property and economic stability at both micro and macroeconomic levels. The study focuses on the legal and organizational aspects of state aid in the reconstruction of disaster consequences in Serbia, examining the system\u27s ability to respond effectively to the needs of citizens and businesses affected by natural and other disasters. By applying scientific methods, primarily legal, economic, and security theories, the paper seeks to analyze the public\u27s attitude towards the implementation of the state aid system using budget funds. The research employs a structured questionnaire distributed to 215 respondents across Serbia to gather data. An analysis was conducted to identify relationships between key variables, such as trust in the aid system, perceived effectiveness, and demographic factors like age, education, and income. The findings indicate that a majority of respondents support the implementation of the state aid system and recognize its importance in mitigating disaster impacts. The study also reveals that citizens believe the system contributes to enhancing social stability and the security of both citizens and the economy. However, there are areas identified for improvement, particularly concerning transparency and efficiency in the distribution of aid. The results suggest the need for continuous refinement of the legal framework governing state aid and disaster recovery. Enhancing transparency and public awareness, as well as integrating technological solutions for aid management, could strengthen the effectiveness of the state aid system. Furthermore, engaging local communities in disaster response efforts could enhance the resilience of affected areas and improve the overall disaster recovery process
Implications of Artificial Intelligence and Cyberspace on Risk Management Capabilities
Get PDFThe crisis management system is a key element of a modern, reliable, effective, and sustainable security system. In contemporary settings, management functions are implemented through the capabilities of a command-information system. Consequently, most activities are conducted within cyberspace, meaning that management functions cannot be effectively executed without adequate telecommunications and information technology support. The primary target of hostile cyber activities is precisely the command-information system. Developing an optimal methodology for the use of command-information systems, as well as for prevention and protection against cyber-attacks, is among the most critical tasks for modern defence and security systems. One approach to enhancing risk management is through the application of artificial intelligence (AI). AI should ensure superiority in cyberspace, primarily at the national level, providing the foundation for executing legitimate and lawful cyber activities in a state\u27s defence system. This paper aims to explore the role and significance of artificial intelligence within the realm of cybersecurity by analyzing its implications for risk management in contemporary environments. Command in modern military operations, the nature of modern warfare risks, the protection of command-information systems, the autonomy of artificial intelligence in decision-making, and an understanding of cyber threats are factors through which the challenges of modern command systems can be understood
An Assessment of Socio-Economic Impacts of Rainstorm Disaster on the Livelihood of the Residents of Ikole Local Government Area in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study assessed the socio-economic impacts of the rainstorm disaster which occurred on 3rd March, 2023 on the livelihood of the residents of Ikole LGA in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study area is prone to recurring rainstorms, a natural and metrological disaster that has ravaged the livelihoods of the residents of Ekiti State. The weather (sunshine hours, temperature, relative humidity, cloud cover, visibility, wind direction, wind speed and rainfall) information of Ikole LGA on 3rd March 2023 was obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Oshodi, Lagos, and the incidence/profile of rainstorm in Ikole LGA on the same day was obtained from the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency. A well–designed and structured questionnaire was administered to respondents to obtain information on the kind of losses encountered by the victims of rainstorm disasters in the locations and the coping strategies they adopted in mitigating the effects of the disaster. The data collected from the victims were analyzed with an SPSS package, presented in tables and followed with discussion. The results showed that the rainstorm brought about socio-economic hardship on the victims in the study area. It was discovered that some of the relief measures on the ground were short-term measures which provided no lasting solution to the menace. Some general measures suggested among others to mitigate the effects of rainstorms include proper construction of a stormwater drainage system in the study area and the Planting of low-height vegetation that can serve as wind-break
Harmonization of Soft Power and Institutional Skills: Montenegro\u27s Path to Accession to the European Union in the Environmental Sector
Get PDFThis research investigates the alignment of soft power and institutional skills in Montenegro\u27s journey towards accession to the European Union (EU), with a particular focus on the environmental sector. An online survey targeting individuals employed in state institutions directly engaged in negotiation processes, notably the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and the Agency for Nature and Environmental Protection, was conducted. The research conducted an online survey, distributed before and after the summer recess to accommodate the transition of power following parliamentary elections, aimed at assessing the effectiveness of current personnel and identifying areas for improvement in staffing and negotiation strategies within Montenegro\u27s environmental sector. Employing diverse methodologies, the survey\u27s analysis delved into the demographic, social, and professional backgrounds of respondents. It explored their roles within institutions, involvement in environmental negotiations, and possession of relevant skills and expertise. Furthermore, respondents\u27 knowledge of environmental issues, legislation, and challenges facing the country was assessed to gauge institutional capacity for environmental governance. Demographic data, including gender, age, education and regional origin, were collected to understand gender-specific attitudes and regional disparities in environmental perspectives. The sample of 84 individuals, comprising executives and employees from both institutions, provided insights into the age structure and regional diversity of personnel involved in negotiation tasks for Chapter 27. The selection of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and the Agency for Nature and Environmental Protection reflects their pivotal roles in shaping Montenegro\u27s environmental policies and addressing climate change challenges. This study aims to illuminate the dynamics of environmental governance within Montenegro\u27s state administration, contributing to the country\u27s path towards EU accession. The research findings highlight the critical need for Montenegro to prioritize strategic initiatives in personnel management, skill development, and institutional capacity-building within its environmental sector. The implications of this research extend beyond academia to inform policymaking and societal action, emphasizing the urgency for Montenegro to bolster its environmental sector capabilities, fostering both EU alignment and sustainable governance practices for the benefit of present and future generations
Collaborative Gaps: Investigating the Role of Civilian-Religious Authority Disconnection in Psychosocial Support Provision during the 2014 Floods
Get PDFThis study examines the collaborative dynamics between civilian and religious authorities in providing psychosocial support following the 2014 floods in the Sava, Vrbas, and Vrbanja River Basins in the Republic of Srpska / Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through surveys with 275 residents and interviews with civil and religious authorities, a notable pattern emerged: while both groups expressed a mutual desire to work together, a reluctance to initiate collaboration hindered progress. Interviews revealed that each group awaited an invitation from the other, resulting in a standstill despite shared interests in cooperation. The study identifies several underlying reasons for this hesitation. Uncertainties about roles, responsibilities, and communication channels contributed to the impasse, perpetuating a cycle of inaction. Despite recognizing the importance of supporting disaster-affected communities, the absence of proactive outreach from either side sustained the disconnect. This research underscores the significance of addressing these collaborative barriers. It emphasizes the need for clear communication, mutual understanding, and proactive engagement to foster effective collaboration between civilian and religious authorities. By creating an environment conducive to openness and initiative-taking, stakeholders can overcome hurdles and enhance disaster response and resilience efforts. The findings have implications for policymakers, practitioners, and community leaders involved in disaster management. By acknowledging and addressing the challenges inhibiting collaboration, stakeholders can unlock the potential of civilian-religious partnerships to strengthen psychosocial support provision and build more resilient communities in the face of future disasters
Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Risk Management: State of Play in North Macedonia
Get PDFThis paper explores the state of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and disaster risk management (DRM) in North Macedonia, highlighting their theoretical, normative, and institutional aspects. It examines the complex processes of crisis management, risk management, and DRR systems in the country, focusing on their alignment with international frameworks like the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Key indicators for crisis identification and risk reduction are analyzed, along with the integration of national mechanisms into global and regional disaster risk platforms. The study emphasizes the challenges faced by the DRR system, including inefficiencies, coordination gaps, and resource constraints, and proposes strategic recommendations for improving preparedness, response, and recovery. The findings underscore the critical need for strengthening institutional capacity and enhancing interagency collaboration to build a resilient society capable of addressing the multifaceted risks of natural and anthropogenic disasters
An Inevitable Technological Disaster Type: Space Debris
Get PDFThe rapid accumulation of space debris has emerged as a critical threat to global satellite infrastructure, jeopardizing essential services such as communications, navigation and real-time weather forecasting, which are fundamental to effective disaster management. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the multifaceted challenges posed by space debris, focusing on collision risks, Kessler Syndrome and the inherent vulnerabilities of satellite networks. It highlights significant gaps in existing international regulatory frameworks, underscoring the urgent need for stronger global coordination. While technological interventions such as Active Debris Removal (ADR) and enhanced Space Situational Awareness (SSA) show promise, they fall short when applied alone. A sustainable solution requires an integrated approach that combines innovative technologies such as on-orbit manufacturing and self-destruction systems with policy reforms that enforce stricter debris management protocols and encourage compliance with economic measures such as debris removal credits and orbital parking fees. China, European Union, the United States and some other countries have already begun the work needed to coordinate space activities, but the breadth of these efforts and rules varies from country to country, and the lack of ownership or control of space is a problem. Given the important role of satellites in disaster response, the protection of space assets is essential to sustaining global resilience. Ensuring long-term sustainability will depend on international cooperation, binding agreements and a collective commitment to preserve the orbital environment for future generations