Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction’s Ignite Stage 2019: Opinions of Key Stakeholders
By: Nibedita S. Ray-Bennett, Krishna Clarke and Daniel Mendez
Introduction
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 set seven global targets of which the first two targets are to reduce disaster deaths (target A) and diminish the number of affected people globally (target B) by 2030. To realise these targets, the United Nations General Assembly’s Expert Working Group provided indicators to measure progress as well as terminologies for these targets in 2017. Research around these targets is nascent. This article contributes to the understanding of the targets by exploring: (1) what are the conditions that may hinder achieving targets, as well as those that may accelerate their achievement at the national and local levels; and (2) which types of organisations should lead a country’s effort to reduce disaster deaths?
Methods
These questions were answered by opinion survey research carried out by the members of the Avoidable Deaths Network at the Sixth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction’s 2019 Ignite Stage Session on Avoidable Deaths.
The UNDRR’s Global Platforms are used periodically to assess progress, identify gaps, monitor the implementation of the Sendai Framework’s global targets, develop platforms to forge partnerships, share knowledge, and promote the integration of disaster risk management into other relevant sectors. Global Platforms are important gatherings of governments, UN agencies, and international and regional organisations and institutions, NGOs, scientific/academic institutions, and private sector entities. Thus, the Global Platform’s Ignite Stage Forum was a fitting place for this study to collect data to field ideas on targets A and B. Permission was sought from the organisers of the Ignite Stage to collect data during the session. Subsequently, ethics approval was sought for this study from the University of Leicester.
To complement the questionnaire data, semi-structured interviews with three key informants were conducted based on convenient and purposive sampling. Prior contact and consent were sought from the informants to interview them at the Global Platform in Geneva. These interviews were conducted after the Ignite Stage session.
Results
What are the conditions that may hinder achieving targets, as well as those that may accelerate their achievement at the national and local levels?
In total fifty-five participants took part in the survey research. Of the fifty-five participants, most of them (83.3%) identified disaster risk reduction efforts, early warning systems, awareness, finance and investment (among others) as the important facilitating factors to achieve targets A and B. Minimal investment in human security, lack of response and coordination, uncertainty of climate change, poor information, lack of campaigns and low budget allocation (among others) are considered as the important hindering factors for these targets by the participants. The findings also suggest that the facilitating and hindering variables of targets A and B are interconnected with global target E (disaster risk governance and capacity building).
Which types of organisations should lead a country’s effort to reduce disaster deaths?
Forty participants thought that the national government should take the lead in a country’s effort to reduce disaster deaths (46%), followed by 15 participants for NGOs (17%), the UN with 11 participants (13%), academia seven participants (8%), private sector six participants (7%), the media four participants (5%), research institutes three participants (3%), and one individual (1%). The participants for this question in some cases selected more than one answer, thereby inducing a total number of responses over the 55 participants in the survey. In total 87 responses were recorded.
Conclusion
Increasing the number of disaster risk reduction strategies and policies is likely to increase investment in science (social and physical), awareness, and empowerment of disaster responders and at-risk communities. Therefore, it is paramount that the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and regional organisations provide support to the member states to achieve target E and, in doing so, assist targets A and B to be realised.
It is equally important for UNDRR, UNDP, and regional organisations to highlight the importance of national governments in realising targets A and B. The emphasis on national governments and political leaders’ responsibilities will lead to investment in developing their capacities through knowledge sharing and continuous professional development training on methodology, accountability, multisectoral approaches, social justice, and sustainable development. The authors are, however, conscious of the fact that this recommendation may not be applicable to all leaders of nation-states, especially those who are currently embroiled in conflict or war, as well as those who are not UN member states.
To read the full article published in the International Journal for Disaster Risk Science, please click the link below.
Ray-Bennett, N.S., Clarke, K., and Mendez, D. (2022) Sendai Framework’s Global Targets A and B: Opinions from the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction’s Ignite Stage 2019, International Journal for Disaster Risk Science, 13(2022): 651-663. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13753-022-00432-3
Authors’ Short Bios: Dr Nibedita S. Ray-Bennett is the Founding President and Convenor of the ADN and is an Associate Professor in Risk Management at the University of Leicester’s School of Business. Mr. Krishna Clarke is Regional Coordinator – Caribbean at ADN and a Risk Officer within the Office of Risk Management at the Caribbean Development Bank. Mr. Daniel Mendez is Regional Coordinator – Caribbean at ADN and a risk, crisis and disaster manager with over 20 years of experience.