Understanding Disaster Risk: How Disaster Risk Knowledge and Information are Understood in Tanzania

Abstract

In efforts to form resilience-building strategies and guide action across the globe, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015) outlined four priorities, the first of which is Understanding Disaster Risk. The purpose of this research is to delve into the concept of disaster risk and see how it is understood by the duty-bearing entity tasked with reducing disaster risk (the government) in the context of a country that is highly impacted by the negative effects of climate change (Tanzania). In order to answer the research question, policy pertaining to disaster management and productive sectors have been analyzed in conjunction with government entity interviews in mainland Tanzania, as well as risk data cataloging. The results show that although there is a solid policy framework in place which acknowledges many of the core concepts that scholars agree are essential conceptualizations in understanding disaster risk, these are not understood across sectors, and disasters are often characterized as apolitical, with strong focus on response mechanisms. One of the most telling gaps between policy and reality was the mis-conceptualization of disaster risk reduction/management as a sector itself as opposed to being a cross-cutting issue that should be integrated across government sectors and levels. The results also show however that although stakeholders have trouble understanding “DRR” terminology and their roles in this context, they are actively implementing interventions which could be considered as such, albeit understood within different lenses. The results also reveal that more data exists than is perceived, which alludes to the fact that much data and information isn’t easily accessible or available. This is in part due to a lack of information and data sharing between public sectors and is also largely due to the low existing capacity to analyze and transform data into usable information for decision-making.

Popular Abstract

Disasters happen when someone or something vulnerable is exposed to a hazard that they don’t have the capacity to withstand. The combination of these factors (vulnerability, hazards, exposure, and capacity) are what make up the concept of Disaster Risk. Consequently, when decision-makers understand these factors and the relationships between them, it can help them create better policy and design interventions that are more successful. In other words, understanding disaster risk can save lives in the event of a disaster because interventions and plans are based on evidence about who is vulnerable, where they live, which hazards they are exposed to, and available tools and capacities. As the climate changes at an alarmingly fast rate, so does disaster risk. This is why it is especially important for countries who are heavily impacted by climate change to understand the components of disaster risk. The purpose of this research is to see how disaster risk is understood by the government in Tanzania, a country that is highly impacted by the negative effects of climate change. In order to answer the research question, risk data was catalogued, policy was analyzed, and upwards of 100 people were interviewed from both the government and non-government entities. In order to answer the research question, the data was analyzed to see how the concept of disaster risk was characterized, as well as how information and knowledge was managed and used for decision-making. The results show that although there is a solid policy framework in place to govern disaster response, it is not understood across sectors, and disasters are often characterized as apolitical, with low focus on preparedness and recovery. The results also show however that although stakeholders have trouble understanding “DRR” terminology and their roles in this context, they are actively implementing interventions which could be considered as such. Amongst the government, disaster risk reduction and management was perceived as a sector itself instead of being considered a cross-cutting issue that should be integrated across government sectors and levels. The results also reveal that more data exists than is perceived, which alludes to the fact that much data and information isn’t easily accessible or available. This is due to a lack of information and data sharing within the public sector and to the low existing capacity to analyze and transform data into information that is easy for decision-makers to understand. The lack of mainstreaming and limited information sharing within the government make the collection and analysis of information on disaster risk very difficult, making it harder to understand and subsequently unlikely to influence decisions and policy.

• author: Martinsson, Natalie
• supervisor: Per Becker
• organization: Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety
• course: VBRM15 20221
• year: 2023
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Social Sciences
• keywords: disaster risk management, understanding disaster risk, sendai framework for disaster risk reduction, mechanisms for learning, information and knowledge, data and information management, DRR terminology
• language: English
• id: 9139105
• date added to LUP: 2023-09-26 08:27:24
• date last changed: 2023-09-26 08:27:24