An inclusive approach for enhancing disaster risk reduction: An investigation into developing effective and suitable DRR strategies for local communities throughout New Zealand

Abstract

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is a framework that aims to minimise the threat, occurrence or impacts of disaster events at the local level (i.e. the community). DRR aims to reduce these factors in three ways: directly influencing the hazard, decreasing the exposure of people and assets to hazards, and enhancing the capacities of the local community which aid the ability to cope in response to a disaster. Capacities are knowledge-sets, skills and resources of individuals that can be used to respond to impacts from a hazard event. Present-day DRR is typically reliant on a top-down approach. A top-down approach includes external intervention where capacities are provided. This emphasises structural solutions to local problems, creating and reinforcing the notion that people affected by disasters are 'victims'. As a result, outside actors such as scientists, governments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) justify their intervention through emergency management activities. Although a top-down approach has its benefits, DRR should focus on building a bottom-up approach that utilises local capacities and resources. This is because disasters are a local issue, therefore only the community themselves fully understand the opportunities and risks associated with a hazard event. Local capacities and resources can then be further enhanced by the inclusion of top-down capacities and resources. Gaillard and Mercer (2012) suggest that the inclusion of both top-down and bottom-up approaches is one way towards enhancing local DRR. Participation of the local community in developing DRR is essential to achieve an inclusive approach to DRR that utilises both top-down and bottom-up actors. Gaventa and Cornwall (2006) highlight that knowledge, action and consciousness are required to achieve participation. These components are interlinked and essential towards achieving participation. If one of these components are not present, then the participation of a stakeholder may be compromised. This investigation focusses on a case study in New Zealand. New Zealand's DRR policies rely upon the Civil Defence Emergency Management to work with communities in their region, in guiding them through the planning process. Therefore, New Zealand is an example of where local DRR may be enhanced by including top-down and bottom-up stakeholders in the planning process. One example of a bottom-up stakeholder in New Zealand communities are Marae. If utilised in the DRR planning process, Marae could provide a unique range of benefits to the current state of local DRR.