Community Risk Assessment for disaster risk reduction: Challenges and future

Udayangani Kulatunga, A. K.M. Mostafa Zaman, A. K.M. Abdul Ahad Biswan, Ahmed Parvez, Dilanthi Amaratunga

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Significant attention is paid towards community based disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities that integrate community participation and scientific knowledge for the development of effective DRR strategies. Community based DRR activities empower communities to take a leading role in developing DRR strategies, thus increasing the commitment and sense of belongingness of the community towards DRR activities. This paper evaluates a community based DRR method called Community Risk Assessment (CRA) through a comprehensive literature review. CRA is a method that assesses local hazards and community vulnerability to develop DRR strategies with the active participation of different groups of the community, community leaders and local authorities. The paper discusses a number of benefits of CRA activities such as increased participation of community towards the preparation of comprehensive DRR strategies, increased understanding of natural hazards and community vulnerabilities of the locality, reduced social tension between the authorities and communities regarding DRR strategies, and opportunities provided for the socially deprived community groups to discuss their risk and vulnerabilities from natural hazards. Despite the aforementioned benefits, CRA is challenged with the significant amount of human resource and time it requires, lack of participation and representation of different groups in the community, cultural attitudes of some community groups towards the engagement of socially deprived people for DRR activities.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCOBRA 2010
Subtitle of host publicationConstruction, Building and Real Estate Research Conference of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Place of PublicationLondon
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2010
Externally publishedYes
EventConstruction, Building and Real Estate Research Conference of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors - Dauphine Université Paris, Paris, France
Duration: 2 Sep 20103 Sep 2010
https://www.preventionweb.net/events/view/12331?id=12331 (Conference Information)

Conference

ConferenceConstruction, Building and Real Estate Research Conference of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Abbreviated titleCOBRA 2010
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityParis
Period2/09/103/09/10
OtherContributions are invited for the themed session on Disaster Management that will be held as part of the RICS COBRA 2010 Conference aims to stimulate ideas arising from research by exploring the range of perspectives from which the construction industry is able to contribute towards improved resilience to disasters and by facilitating the dissemination of the existing knowledge base.
Internet address

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