Opportunities and Challenges of Role of Civil Societies in Risk Reduction

Abstract

Although the roles have changed and evolved, Civil Society Organizations (CSO) played important roles in disaster risk reduction (DRR). An analysis was done to understand the role in a systematic way with the Hyogo Framework For Action (HFA) priority areas. HFA 1 shows strong possible roles of CSO in policy formulation and or facilitation of different stakeholders in the process. HFA 2 focuses on CSO roles in highlighting qualitative aspects of risk assessment, and focus more on the capacities in the local level. HFA 3 emphasizes role of CSOs in formal, non-formal and information education. HFA 4 provides different scopes as well as challenges for CSO participation, which can be facilitated working with the local stakeholders. HFA 5 emphasizes on CSO role in building resilience through community recovery. Finally, five specific recommendations are provided which may enhance the role of CSO in DRR as: (1) government-NGO cooperation mechanism, (2) CSO-community trust, (3) Technical strength and professionalism of CSO, (4) CSO-government-academic nexus, and (5) Transparency and accountability issues.