Handbook of Hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction


Book Description

The Handbook provides a comprehensive statement and reference point for hazard and disaster research, policy making, and practice in an international and multi-disciplinary context. It offers critical reviews and appraisals of current state of the art and future development of conceptual, theoretical and practical approaches as well as empirical knowledge and available tools. Organized into five inter-related sections, this Handbook contains sixty-five contributions from leading scholars. Section one situates hazards and disasters in their broad political, cultural, economic, and environmental context. Section two contains treatments of potentially damaging natural events/phenomena organized by major earth system. Section three critically reviews progress in responding to disasters including warning, relief and recovery. Section four addresses mitigation of potential loss and prevention of disasters under two sub-headings: governance, advocacy and self-help, and communication and participation. Section five ends with a concluding chapter by the editors. The engaging international contributions reflect upon the politics and policy of how we think about and practice applied hazard research and disaster risk reduction. This Handbook provides a wealth of interdisciplinary information and will appeal to students and practitioners interested in Geography, Environment Studies and Development Studies.




Disaster Risk Governance in India and Cross Cutting Issues


Book Description

This book provides an analytical discussion of the status of disaster risk reduction and governance in an Indian context, drawing examples and lessons from the output of the national and regional level programs and projects and from other relevant experiences in the country. Different types of disasters faced by Indian states are covered, including geophysical and hydrometeorological hazards. The book incorporates and draws upon some of the key lessons from the pre-disaster phase through the disaster phase and finally to the post-disaster phase, thus establishing an effective framework in the form of key lessons learned. The rich content of the book is based on contributions from various stakeholders, from academicians and practitioners to decision makers and nongovernment organizations related to disaster risk management systems in an Indian context. Special emphasis is given to analyzing field experiences from academic perspectives and pointing out key issues along with the relevance of risk governance of disaster risk reduction. The book works as a comprehensive reference in disaster risk governance for disaster managers in India and other countries. The book has 19 chapters organized into four parts. Part I provides the outline and basics of disaster risk governance perspectives at the national level with supporting examples from a global point of view. Part II specifically emphasizes the detailed perspectives on risk governance at the regional and local levels. Part III is devoted to approaches and issues of disaster risk governance and development at various levels, stressing the practices and clear examples of disaster risk governance, policy options, institutional organization, risk-reduction strategies, and key lessons learned. Finally, Part IV highlights risk reduction and cross-cutting issues, focusing on risk mitigation and scientific intervention for disaster risk reduction.




Strategic Disaster Risk Management in Asia


Book Description

This book presents strategies for managing disasters and reducing risks in Asian countries. Given the dynamic changes in the natural environment as well as the patterns of land use and management, the growing populations of the developing nations in Asia, migration patterns, and other social-cultural aspects, the impacts of disasters have increased manifold in Asian countries. Against this backdrop, the book examines disaster management issues such as disaster preparedness, post-disaster reconstruction, peace, development and corruption. The views of different groups of stakeholders are incorporated in the discussion to ensure a comprehensive analysis of and findings on the governance process, as well as best practices in pre- and post-disaster management. The book also includes chapters focusing on aspects often overlooked in the context of disaster management, such as the need to invest in public education to improve public awareness, and approaches to supporting the disabled, the vulnerable and the elderly from disaster risks. In closing, the book presents research on disaster management methods employed by different countries in the Asian region. Acknowledgement: The editors acknowledge the role of the Network of Asia Pacific Schools and Institutes of Public Administration and Governance (NAPSIPAG), which is the largest governance research network in the Asia Pacific region,in bringing out this book. NAPSIPAG has been regularly organizing international meetings of administrators, academia and non-state bodies to provide a forum to the regional scholars to deliberate with the international governance experts. It has also helped the international policy organizations to have a better understanding about the region through a local lens of Asiatic anthropology, ethnography and culture of administration.




Disaster Management in India: Challenges and Strategies


Book Description

This book – “Disaster Management in India: Challenges and Strategies” - provides a practical and realistic understanding of the evolving status of disaster management in India. The book discusses techno-legal systems for disaster management and their real-life effectiveness based upon the author’s own professional experience as well as available literature including studies, reviews and audits reports.A case study of the 2001 Bhuj Earthquake conducted by the author is at the nucleus of the book and provides a clear understanding on how interdependent sub-systems (social, organisational, infrastructure) can fail during sever incidents, and the consequences thereof.Lack of resources, lack of coordination, and poor communication are endemic to severely damaged disaster environments like the 2001 Bhuj earthquake and are very commonly seen across the world. What is more important for the future is that new methods are being evolved that overcome the potential risks posed by such initial conditions for improving organizational performance. Lessons from the 2001 Bhuj earthquake highlighted in this book are still relevant and provide directions for well-designed future interventions.The book critically examines performance status of disaster management in the post DM Act 2005 period and identifies many relevant issues and challenges – including development of effective institutions for disaster risk management.At the end, the book proposes intervention strategies for strengthening and improving disaster management systems keeping in mind the latest developments and best-practices suited to Indian conditions. Drawing on the author’s decades of experience both in the domains of disaster management and technology, the book provides tips on - Emergency Operations Center design and development; Media integration into DM, emergency Resources Management systems development and Crowd management.




Disaster Planning and Governance in India


Book Description

With an increasing need for experts to provide solutions to complex disaster scenarios and related management issues across the globe, universities and governments are finding it highly relevant to introduce courses on disaster management. Disaster management education could help in disaster mitigation and could save several lives, as well as assets. Written in simple language by disaster professionals, most of whom have dedicated their entire careers to disaster management, this book will be an important textbook for graduate and postgraduate research students. It provides the history of disaster management, especially governance issues and scientific and technological development in the areas of disasters including recovery processes, which have drastically reduced the loss of lives. This book not only unfolds the process of evolution of disaster management and challenges faced by experts in the field, but also suggests various ways in which we can build a resilient country.




Landslides: Global Risk Preparedness


Book Description

This book presents the global landslide risk preparedness implemented through the International Programme on Landslides (IPL). IPL was initiated by the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) in 2002, and developed to a joint international programme by the IPL Global Promotion Committee (UNESCO, WMO, FAO, UNISDR, UNU, ICSU and WFEO as well as ICL) through the 2006 Tokyo Action Plan. The materials consists of four parts: Outline of the International Programme on Landslides & IPL Global Promotion Committee; Achievements of major IPL projects in research and capacity building; World Centres of Excellence on Landslide Risk Reduction (WCoEs) and Landslide School Network; Key documents of IPL and ICL including Tokyo Action Plan, Application of ICL, IPL Projects, WCoEs and Landslide School Network




Challenges, Strategies, and Resiliency in Disaster and Risk Management


Book Description

The urgency of effective disaster and risk management has reached unprecedented heights. The looming threat of resource constraints, coupled with the intricate challenges of coordinating responses in the wake of crises, underscores the critical need for comprehensive solutions. The book, Challenges, Strategies, and Resiliency in Disaster and Risk Management, ventures into the heart of this urgent matter. This groundbreaking work examines the multifaceted issues that confront disaster and risk management professionals, from the complex intricacies of climate change to the demanding task of coordinating responses amid resource limitations. With a meticulous analysis of major hurdles, such as resource constraints, population growth, and technological vulnerabilities, Challenges, Strategies, and Resiliency in Disaster and Risk Management equips its readers with practical solutions. Covering key phases of disaster management, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, it acts as a comprehensive resource for informed decision-making. Designed for a diverse audience, this book caters to emergency managers, first responders, and disaster response organizations seeking to elevate their understanding of the challenges in disaster management. Scholars, researchers, and students specializing in disaster management, risk assessment, and related fields will find invaluable insights and case studies within these pages. Additionally, government agencies responsible for shaping disaster and emergency management policies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on disaster relief, and professionals engaged in risk assessment and management will benefit from the practical knowledge shared in this comprehensive guide.




Disaster Management


Book Description

There is a perennial gap between theory and practice, between academia and active professionals in the field of disaster management. This gap means that valuable lessons are not learned and people die or suffer as a result. This book opens a dialogue between theory and practice. It offers vital lessons to practitioners from scholarship on natural hazards, disaster risk management and reduction and developments studies, opening up new insights in accessible language with practical applications. It also offers to academics the insights of the enormous experience practitioners have accumulated, highlighting gaps in research and challenging assumptions and theories against the reality of experience. Disaster Management covers issues in all phases of the disaster cycle: preparedness, prevention, response and recovery. It also addresses cross-cutting issues including political, economic and social factors that influence differential vulnerability, and key areas of practice such as vulnerability mapping, early warning, infrastructure protection, emergency management, reconstruction, health care and education, and gender issues. The team of international authors combine their years of experience in research and the field to offer vital lessons for practitioners, academics and students alike.




Cognitive Data Models for Sustainable Environment


Book Description

Cognitive Models for Sustainable Environment reviews the fundamental concepts of gathering, processing and analyzing data from batch processes, along with a review of intelligent and cognitive tools that can be used. The book is centered on evolving novel intelligent/cognitive models and algorithms to develop sustainable solutions for the mitigation of environmental pollution. It unveils intelligent and cognitive models to address issues related to the effective monitoring of environmental pollution and sustainable environmental design. As such, the book focuses on the overall well-being of the global environment for better sustenance and livelihood. The book covers novel cognitive models for effective environmental pollution data management at par with the standards laid down by the World Health Organization. Every chapter is supported by real-life case studies, illustrative examples and video demonstrations that enlighten readers. - Explores the development and application of science, engineering and technology in achieving a sustainable lifestyle for humanity - Provides tools, connections and proactive solutions to take sustainability programs to the next level - Offers perspectives for design, development and commissioning of intelligent applications - Provides reviews on the latest intelligent technologies and algorithms related to state-of-the-art methodologies of monitoring and mitigation of environmental pollution