Climate and Disaster Governance

This research project investigates accountability pathways citizens and civil society organisations (CSOs) are using to hold their governments to account on their commitments under the Hyogo Framework for Action. As well as providing lessons for Christian Aid partners and other CSOs this research aims to provide evidence-based recommendations to the review of the Review of the Global Platform for DRR in June 2009.

Project particulars

Co-ordinator: Emily Polack, IDS

Partners:
Institute of Development Studies
ChristianAid UK, Philippines and Malawi
Univeristy of Philippines
Chancellor College, Malawi

Researchers: Emily Polack, Dr Tom Mitchell (UK), Dr Emmanuel Luna, Sammie Formilleza, Ging Tanchuling, Romano Antonio Wamil, Frances Wallington (Philippines), Dr Blessings Chinsinga, Happy Kayuni (Malawi)

Duration: 2008-2009

Funders: Christian Aid UK

Countries: Philippines, Malawi

 

Project overview

With the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) (2005-2015) approaching its first significant review at the UN-ISDR Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in June 2009, attention will be increasingly focused on progress towards the implementation of DRR at a national and sub-national scale. It is likely the review will identify pockets of limited progress and call for governments and other stakeholders to be held to account for their commitments under the HFA.

Yet processes associated with accountability for disaster risk reduction (DRR) are under-researched, with the emphasis to date placed on developing outcome indicators rather than on examining accountability as a social process. Organisations experienced in community-based DRR initiatives have recognised that only a supportive political and legislative environment can ensure that such initiatives can thrive, be sustained and be multiplied over the long term.

This research, with ChristianAid partners in the Philippines and El Salvador, is investigating:

Through what mechanisms can CSOs most effectively ensure governments are held to account on their commitments to Disaster Risk Reduction?

By mapping these approaches the research aims to develop a framework for strengthening public and private accountability for community-based disaster-resilience be used in conjunction with tools such as ‘Characteristics of a Disaster-Resilient Community’ (Twigg, 2008). The research will also provide lessons on citizen engagement in DRR policy processes for the Review of the Global Platform for DRR. Given the synergies between climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, and that many of the partners are also engaging with climate change impacts and adaption approaches, the research is already highlighting instances of citizen engagement in adaptation policy processes.