Observations on strengthening community participation in disaster risk reduction in disaster law and policy

Disaster Law Working Paper Series Paper No. 5:

This paper attempts to investigate the reasons compromising the effectiveness of communities’ contribution in the field of disaster risk reduction. The analysis is conducted looking at studies on the implementation of relevant national legislation, assessments of community-based projects undertaken with the support of NGOs, international organizations and National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and national progress reports on the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action.

Although barriers to community involvement are mainly context-specific, some common challenges are identified. The analysis focuses on the obstacles faced in the ‘decision-making’ phase of the DRR process. Recurring challenges are presented alongside related good practices, if any, and findings are summarized in charts at the end of the analysis. Without claiming to be exhaustive, this paper draws on existing laws and secondary literature to flag some aspects that, if adequately addressed in relevant legislation and policies, might contribute to the effectiveness of community participation in DRR.