Livelihood Centred Approach to Disaster Management – a Policy Framework

The publication Livelihood Centred Approach to Disaster Management – a Policy Framework for South Asia was launched amidst a large gathering of development practitioners from many development organisations and journalists at Hotel Renuka in Colombo on April 29th, 2005.

This publication is aimed at international disaster, relief and development organisations, multilateral and bilateral donors, and national governments in South Asian Countries. It links disaster management issues with sustainable livelihoods, within the context of governance in the region.

On the basis of these linkages, the document provides policy guidelines and identifies good practice to make disaster management more effective and efficient in South Asia. It also looks for ways of optimising opportunities such as Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs), disaster risk reduction programmes led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other donors' initiatives in the best interests of the region's at-risk communities.

A co-author of the book and veteran development journalist, Mr.Amjad Bhatti, from the Rural Development Policy Institute of Pakistan speaking at this event mentioned that very often  we fail to understand that disasters not only destroy buildings, and infrastructure but relationships – livelihoods which are linked with the infrastructure. "A disaster is not only a crisis situation, but it is also an opportunity," he said. "Tsunami is an opportunity to understand the neglected emphasis on livelihood aspects in the post tsunami rebuilding phase."

The core objective of the policy framework outlined in the publication, aims at, guiding the redirection of emphasis in disaster management towards vulnerability reduction, instead of emergency response. The framework is based on first-hand information from a recent regional programme, Livelihood Options for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Ms Madhavi Malalgoda Ariyabandu , co-author and Team Leader from ITDGPractical Action explaining the policy framework outlined in the book stated: "Our argument is that assets alone are not enough for people to withstand risks. There should also be a support system provided, in terms of governance; by having in place an enabling environment. The vulnerability and fragile economic conditions due to poverty can be minimised by having in place an enabling environment while equipping people with assets".

A set of policy recommendations is proposed in this publication to implement a 'livelihood-centred approach' to disaster response and disaster management in the South Asian region. The document suggests five policy principles for merging disaster management   and poverty reduction goals in South Asia:

1. Disasters should be looked at as a part of ecology and they should be managed rather than controlled. 
2. Disasters should be treated as issues of development and governance; and states should be made responsive, sensitive and accountable to the demands, needs and rights of disaster-prone communities and areas. 
3. Disaster management policies should be redirected towards poverty and vulnerability reduction instead of mere compensation and relief responses. 
4. Disaster management strategies should integrate structural measures (construction of embankments, dykes, resistant buildings, etc.) with non-structural measures such as enhancing the entitlements and negotiating power of the most vulnerable communities and subordinate social groups.  
5. Disaster-prone communities should be engaged equitably into the process of disaster-related decision-making and development planning, implementation and monitoring.   

This publication will be an invaluable asset for all parties involved in rebuilding, in the aftermath of the Tsunami. This is now available at ITDGPractical Action South Asia office, 05, Lionel Edirisinghe Mawatha, Kirulapone, Colombo 05. For more details about the publication contact sharona@itdg.slt.lk or 2829412

Further information

ITDGPractical Action South Asia's work in disaster mitigation

Gender Dimensions in Disaster Management, by Madhavi Ariyabandu and Maithree Wickremasinghe, and a review of the book.

Madhavi Ariyabandu from ITDGPractical Action Sri Lanka was awarded the 2004 Mary Fran Myers Award by the Gender and Disaster Network for advancing women’s careers in emergency management and promoting gendered disaster research

Tsunami impact and rebuilding