SUSTAINABLE POST DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION THROUGH INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT – THE CASE OF RURAL COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH ASIA

Abstract

Ensuring sustainability of interventions undertaken as part of post disaster reconstruction is one of the crucial challenges confronting the developing world. There are enough examples to show that in many cases, reconstruction serves to reinforce and sometimes-even increase the vulnerability of local communities. This is well exemplified in India by the case of reconstruction following Latur earthquake in 1993, Orissa super cyclone in 1999 and Gujarat earthquake of January 2001. In the light of these challenges, the paper will elaborate on the methodology, tools and techniques for integrated risk management, which is readdressed from a holistic and dynamic perspective. The term ‘risk’ is redefined in an integrated manner with respect to exposure to one or more hazards as well as other factors determining vulnerability in developing countries. The term ‘vulnerability’ is assessed not only as product of hazard exposure but in a progressive manner resulting from social, economic and underdevelopment processes, before, during and after disaster situations. The paper will further attempt to redefine disasters as a continuum where actions taken during various phases have an impact on each other, thereby emphasizing the need for establishing various backward and forward linkages while deciding different actions and interventions at various stages. The paper will conclude by elaborating on the proactive tools, techniques, strategies and actions for risk assessment and control at various stages with respect to a disaster situation and thus address various types of risks in an integrated and dynamic manner. Keywords: Reconstruction, Disaster Vulnerability, Local Knowledge and Capacity, Disaster, Risk, Risk Management, Cultural Heritage.