Collaboration in Emergency Response in China: Evolution from the Wenchuan Earthquake, May 12, 2008 to the Lushan Earthquake, April 20, 2013

Abstract

Collaboration is the central issue of emergency response. Using a method of comparative case studies, this paper demonstrates the evolution of collaboration in emergency response in China from the Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008 to the Lushan Earthquake in 2013. In the intersectoral dimension, collaboration between governments and nonprofit organizations has been significantly improved. In the intergovernmental dimension, more reliance on local agencies has been observed only in response. In the interagency dimension, no progress has been made to the collaboration between the newly established Chinese Comprehensive Emergency Management system and the conventional typed-based disaster management system. To improve collaboration in emergency response in China in the future, this paper suggests that an inclusive framework for intersectoral collaboration should be developed. At the same time, assigning more responsibilities to local governments is critical for rebalancing external assistance and local reliance in the periods before, during, and after a disaster. Finally, a unified command and coordination structure for interagency collaboration is urgently required.