Integrating participatory disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in the Pacific : Case studies from Fiji and Samoa
Background and aims
Participatory disaster risk reduction (DRR) is becoming an increasingly integral approach
amongst disaster management actors (government and civil society) in the Pacific as it has
the potential to make projects more sustainable, empowering and effective. Previous
research has identified a number of challenges to the effective achievement of participatory
disaster management activities, such as limited conceptual understanding of `participation’,
issues of trust between government and communities, and inconsistencies between policy
and practice (M?heux, 2007). The recognised need to integrate climate change adaptation
into DRR (UN/ISDR, 2008), in addition to the multiplicity of actors engaged in these activities,
and the traditionally top-down approach to climate change adaptation (Venton and La Trobe,
2008) present further layers of complexity to the challenge of effective community
participation. Despite this there is limited critical analysis of the practice of both participatory
disaster management and participatory/community based climate change adaptation in the
Pacific (and indeed globally). To address this gap this research aims to:
participatory DRR and climate change adaptation in the Pacific,
community groups, individuals) engaged in DRR and climate change adaptation
at a community level,
adaptation and propose a strategy to address these challenges, and
recommendations for integrated participatory DRR and climate change adaptation
in the Pacific.
Approach
The research will involve a mapping exercise to identify the actors engaged in participatory
DRR and/or climate change adaptation initiatives, and the relationships between actors and
initiatives. Case studies will be undertaken of participatory initiatives in Fiji and Samoa
involving interviews and focus groups with initiative participants (`community’ members and
institutional actors). Case studies will focus on understanding issues such as the dynamic of
the initiative, relationships between actors, participant experience of the initiative, perceived
and actual benefits. Data and initial findings will be validated by research participants through
focus group discussions and used to inform the development of guidelines and
recommendations for effective participatory diaster risk reduction and climate change
adaptation integration.
Outcomes
This research project will be undertaken over a 12 month period and will result in a better
practical and conceptual understanding of the relationships and connections between
community based DRR and climate change adaptation in the Pacific. The improved
knowledge base will enable the development of guidelines and recommendations for
integrated community based DRR and climate change adaptation in the Pacific to enhance
planning and decision making. Knowledge will be transferred to local actors through a
training and education package including simple and accessible `bite-size’ (~1 hour)
modules.
References
M?heux, K. (2007) An Evaluation of Participatory Damage Assessment Policy and Practice
in Fiji. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Physical Geography, Macquarie University,
Sydney.
UN/ISDR (2008) Disaster Risk and Climate Change, ISDR Secretariat, Geneva.
Venton, P. & La Trobe, S. (2008) Linking climate change adaptation and disaster risk
reduction, Tearfund and the Institute of Development Studies, London.