International trends in managing natural hazards and the role of leadership

Abstract

The frequency and intensity of natural disasters and the deriving economic losses throughout the world increase, making more imperative the implementation of the ‘Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030’ that was adopted from United Nations Member States in 2015. The results from the study on the first 3 years implementation of the Sendai framework have shown that the States should adopt an holistic approach were the responsibility should be shared among all the stakeholders. Crises often intensify the extent and complexity of demands placed on leaders, in order to guide and support relief staff and civilians through a high stressful emergency situation. The key leadership style, as it is suggested from experienced disaster leaders of being more effective in such emergency situations in all phases of emergency, should be persuasive rather than directive. Some of the questions that are trying to be answered in this paper through an extensive literature review are: ‘What leadership style should be more appropriate to handle the deriving occupational hazard?’ and “How a leader can engage members of their organizations, as well as external parties to get everyone collectively to act as one in the case of crisis?” Many leadership models, theories or philosophies are analyzed and are examined about their usefulness for managing successfully crisis deriving from natural disasters. Finally, it is highlighted the importance of higher education creating leaders skilled for disaster relief.