System of Violence

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of non-conventional violence on the implementation of disaster risk reduction projects in the Northern Triangle of Central America. The Northern Triangle is facing substantial disaster risk from various hazards. Hence, there is a need for disaster risk reduction in the region. However, besides the challenges in terms of disasters, this region is characterised by elevated levels of non-conventional violence. This thesis defines non-conventional violence as the criminalized violence. Disaster risk reduction projects are also located in these violent areas.
This research finds that the non-conventional violence influences an interconnected system of eight codes, which consequently has an impact on the implementation of disaster risk reduction projects in the Northern Triangle. Moreover, the context of the Northern Triangle shows differences to other criminal areas. This triggers the assumption of similarities to conflict zones (e.g. Afghanistan). Finally, I assume that a comparable system of influence might have its effect on disaster risk reduction in those conflict zones.

Popular Abstract

Influence of violence on disaster risk reduction in Central America
In the last decade, extreme violence is rising in the world. Most of the countries suffering by this violence are challenged by long conflicts including civil war and threats by extremist ideologists. In the Northern Triangle of Central America – Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras – this is different. This region is one of the most violent regions in the world. In difference to other violent contexts, it is not suffering from a conflict in the classical sense but from a high degree of criminal violence. This violence is perpetrated by mostly criminal violent groups: The Maras (youth gangs), Drug-trafficking clans (Families) and the Mexican cartels (Mexican mafia). Additionally, the Northern Triangle is facing substantial disaster risk from various natural hazards. Hence, there is a need for disaster risk reduction projects in the region. While serving the most vulnerable, the actors involved in these projects must work in areas which are challenged by this extreme violence. Therefore, this research investigates the influence of violence on disaster risk reduction in general but more specifically in the Northern Triangle of Central America.
This research finds that the violence influences an interconnected system of eight codes, which consequently has an impact on the implementation of disaster risk reduction projects in the Northern Triangle. To cope with this system of influence, the disaster risk reduction actors are using various coping activities identified by this study.
One of the key elements for the influence of violence on the disaster risk reduction projects in the Northern Triangle is the high degree of territoriality and organizational structure of the perpetrators of violence. Moreover, the context of the Northern Triangle shows differences to other criminal areas. This triggers the assumption of similarities to conflict zones (e.g. Afghanistan). A comparable system of influence might have its effect on disaster risk reduction in those conflict zones.
Finally, it is recommended to enhance the dialog between practitioners in the context of conflict zones and practitioners in the Northern Triangle – to share experiences, increase understanding and develop “Best practices”.

• author: Fietz, Lucas
• supervisor: Per Becker
• organization: Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety
• alternative title: Influence of non-conventional violence on disaster risk reduction in the Northern Triangle of Central America
• course: VBRM15 20171
• year: 2017
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Social Sciences
• keywords: Disaster risk reduction, violence, Central America, Northern Triangle, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador
• language: English
• id: 8923399
• date added to LUP: 2017-09-15 12:48:56
• date last changed: 2017-09-15 12:48:56