Round one bursary projects
Benigno Ninoy Balgos
Title From victims to victors: Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in local government structures –the Dagupan City experience
Affiliation Asian Fellow - Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore; Faculty/Graduate Student - University of the Philippines -Diliman
Supervisor Ms. Mayfourth Luneta, Senior Trainer and Board Member of the Center for Disaster Preparedness - Philippines
Duration April - October 2009
Summary
Flooding is a recurrent event in Dagupan City in the Philippines. Until recently, local communities remained unprepared and vulnerable to these events. A project led by the provincial government, in collaboration with regional and national centres for disaster preparedness, reversed this situation by implementing a disaster risk reduction plan promoting citizen’s engagement.
This research project looks at evidence from the Dagupan City experience. It explores the importance of community participation in development, how external factors can provide opportunities achieving social justice and how a post-structuralist framework adhering to people–centred and context-specific approaches to development can be applied.
Gibson Chitiga
Title Impacts of the Fast Track Land Reform programme on climate and disaster management in Zimbabwe: the case of Chegutu District
Affiliation Department of History and Development Studies at Midlands State University -Zimbabwe
Supervisor Percyslage Chigora, Lecturer and Chair of Department, History and Development Studies Department, Midlands State University -Zimbabwe
Duration February -November 2009
Summary
In 2000 Zimbabwe’s government commanded the redistribution of 12 million hectares of farmland owned by white farmers to ordinary communal farmers as part of its Fast Track Land Reform (FTLR) programme. This research project will examine the positive and negative impacts of the FTLR on Zimbabwe’s natural resources. It will apply different theoretical frameworks to analyse the impact of the competition amongst newly resettled farmers over these resources.
Zimbabwe’s legislation makes specific reference to environmental awareness and management but regulations are seldom enforced. Research findings will be drawn upon to identify recommendations to support and promote better natural resource management and conservation practices by local farmers.
Surenjav Davaanyam
Title Environmentally induced migration scenarios in Mongolia
Affiliation Doctoral Candidate, National University of Mongolia
Supervisor M. Bayantur, Department of Social Economic Geography, National University of Mongolia
Duration February-November 2009
Summary
In Mongolia, current migration patterns from rural to urban areas are already putting pressure on the environment, infrastructure and public services in the capital. With average temperatures and extreme weather events rising fast, the government needs to look at these and other migration patterns in the country within the wider context of climate adaptation strategies. Similarly, national adaptation plans need to consider environmental migration or relocation.
This study will investigate the drivers of forced environmental degradation and climate change-induced migration in Mongolia, and how migration relates to environmental degradation and to other social, political and economic factors. Resulting forced migration scenarios at the country level will be used to draw policy recommendations to mitigate environmentally forced migration and identify adaptation options.
Paul Shitangsu Kumar
Title Livelihood security of cyclone-prone coastal communities in Bangladesh: A comparative analysis
Affiliation Doctoral Candidate, School of Environment Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology
Supervisor Dr Jayant K. Routray, Co-ordinator, Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management Program, Asian Institute of Technology
Duration February-November 2009
Summary
Every year coastal people suffer and fight against cyclone and storm surge impacts in Bangladesh. These communities will have to define their strategies to restore livelihoods, protect their belongings and use their experience and indigenous knowledge –support from governments and NGOs is rarely adequate.
The research aims to analyse people’s response, preparedness and coping strategies in response to these disasters together with their regular livelihood strategies. It compares how community livelihood practices, coping and adaptation behaviours vary due to cyclone exposure and intensity across locations and looks at the factors that determine this variation. It also seeks to examine the effectiveness of institutional support mechanisms and services that influence these practices and strategies and formulate alternative livelihood options for cyclone-prone coastal regions.
Gyaneshwar Singh
Title Citizen engagement & accountability in Climate Adaptation & Disaster Risk Reduction policy processes in India
Affiliation Consultant Researcher, working as Coordinator or Senior researcher on the following: ‘Ensuring Livelihood of Small Farmers through Sustainable Agriculture and Right Based Advocacy with an Emphasis on Response to Climatic Change Impacts’ (funded by NOVIB); ‘Improving Policy Response to Interactions between Global Environmental Change (GEC) and Food Security across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP)’ (funded by Asia Pacific Network); ‘From Risk to Resilience: Assessing the Cost and Benefits of Pro-Active Disaster Risk Management to meet the Need of Vulnerable Communities in South Asia’ (funded by DFID).
Supervisor Dr. Rajendra Kumar Vishnoi, Vice-President, Indus Technical and Financial Consultants
Duration April- November 2009
Summary
The close collaboration between government and citizens is deemed essential to effectively enhancing India’s capacity to adapt to climate change and reduce risks of disasters. Related government policies and schemes launched over recent years welcome this engagement and citizens are actively demanding it. However, it is not taking place to the extent needed.
This research will examine the current state of citizen participation both in the formulation of policies on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and their implementation. In particular, it will look at existing government mechanisms to engage citizens, how citizens perceive their own accountability in this context, what the driving factors for engagement and accountability are and if engagement leads to better policies and practice. The project will identify obstacles and opportunities providing concrete suggestions to support effective citizen engagement.
