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- Permanent Link:
- http://dpanther.fiu.edu/dpService/dpPurlService/purl/FI13042654/00001
Notes
- Summary:
- This document reviews GTZ’s approach to mainstreaming disaster risk management (DRM) into its bilateral development assistance programs. The report begins by stressing the growing number of disasters around the world, their increasing magnitudes, and their disproportionate impact on developing countries. It identifies two sources for this trend: climate change and the increasing levels of vulnerability within the developing world. According to GTZ, development and disaster have a rather intimate relationship. Not only does disaster impede development, but development planning that does not adequately account for hazards or vulnerabilities is likely to generate additional disaster risks or exacerbate current ones. One way of taking active steps to reduce disaster risks is to address the socioeconomic conditions that produce vulnerability. The report stresses the necessity of working towards sustainable development through the integration of DRM into all institutional, regional, and sectoral development strategies, particularly in the most vulnerable parts of the world. GTZ plans to increase its work with partner countries in the developing world in five areas: risk assessment, disaster prevention and mitigation, disaster preparedness, DRM within rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, and the mainstreaming of DRM into its development assistance. Emphasis will be placed on projects focused on decentralization and community development, environmental protection, livelihoods, housing, and education. Despite growing international support for DRM, a number of difficulties continue to plague its integration into development processes. Particularly challenging is the continued perception held by both the public and private sector that preventive measures are costs rather than investments. Generally, political support for DRM is far greater after the occurrence of a disaster (if reconstruction and recovery efforts have been effective) than during normal conditions when they could have helped to prevent disaster. Donors tend to act similarly to national governments, preferring to support reconstruction efforts instead of active prevention. Communities most in need of DRM often face the most glaring deficiencies in terms of resources, and are the least integrated into national development strategies. These communities often face structural conditions, like land ownership and distribution for example, that prove to be nearly intractable challenges to development and DRM stakeholders.
- Subject:
- General Risk Management
- Citation/Reference:
- Garatwa, W., Bollin, C. (2002). Disaster risk management: working concept. German Agency for Technical Cooperation/Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Florida International University
- Rights Management:
- Refer to main document/publisher for use rights.
- Resource Identifier:
- FI13042654
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