Disaster Risk Reduction and Community Resilience

The physical and social nature of the HKH makes the region and its people very vulnerable to natural hazards. Climate-induced natural hazards (e.g., landslides, floods, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, droughts, earthquakes, and epidemics) hold back socioeconomic development in the region and hamper progress in poverty reduction. Environmental and climate change is expected to lead to an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural hazards. The focus on post-disaster response is no longer adequate or effective in dealing with disasters. A paradigm shift is occurring in the region, as elsewhere around the world, from response to prevention, preparedness, and mitigation of disasters. More data and technology will also not be sufficient on its own to improve peoples’ lives. Policy makers and practitioners need a better understanding of local contexts and the need for improved disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities (e.g. localising disaster responses).

This action area builds upon ICIMOD’s past experience in the technical and physical aspects of DRR and taking a more proactive and integrated approach to DRR in order to address DRR within the international guidelines established in the Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA). DRR is included in the Integrated Water and Hazard Management (IWHM) programme in order to reflect ICIMOD’s focus on, and experience in, hydro-meteorological disasters. Hydro-meteorological disasters, rather than geological disasters (like earthquakes) also constitute the large majority of disasters not only in Asia but the world over; their numbers are continuously increasing, while geological disasters remain more constant. The focus on water-related disasters does not exclude the need to take a multi-hazard risk approach. Socio-ecological systems are facing various stresses which together also influence any response to water disaster risks. Water related risks can only be understood as part of the broader and interacting processes.

Objectives

Overall

Contribute to reducing vulnerability and risk of the Hindu kush-Himalayan (HKH) mountain communities and build their resilience to water-induced disaster risks.

Specific

• Enhance capacity and awareness of Regional Member Country partners in DRR and help to address their DRR needs
• Contribute to improve  Regional Member Country partners DRR planning activities by increasing connectivity through knowledge sharing
• Inform decision-makers  about the linkages between climate change, ecosystems, hazards, and human health
• Enhance the capacities among Regional Member Country partners to deal with multi-hazard risks and integrate local needs into DRR activities

Projects/Activities

Contact Information

Hari Krishna Nibanupudi
Action Area Team Leader
hkrishna@icimod.org