The Application of Indigenous Knowledge for Disaster Risk Management and Sustainable Development: Insights from Developing Countries

Abstract

This chapter interrogates the nexus between indigenous knowledge (IK), disaster risk management (DRM) and sustainable development. The central argument is that IK has been internalised by local communities over millennia for DRM with enormous potential to inform the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although IK has been time-tested and shown to be effective in mitigating community vulnerability to disaster risks, its application to contemporary DRM frameworks has been dismally insufficient in developing countries. This has implications for achieving the SDGs. Through an analysis of the relationship between IK, DRM, and the SDGs from various perspectives, this chapter has established that IK is a valued model of endurance in the history of DRM that contributes to achieving the SDGs. With this realisation, the chapter argues for the need to integrate IK with modern and/or scientific technology for optimal DRM performance, which will also accelerate accomplishing the SDGs. Hence, mainstreaming IK into DRM strategies to tackle the growing disaster risks in developing countries will also address impediments to achieving the SDGs. Arguably, this will be most beneficial to local communities that suffer the most from disaster risks and face the greatest challenges in achieving the SDGs. This chapter enhances knowledge on the relationship between IK, DRM and the SDGs and also contributes to literature in the field. Nevertheless, more research is required to better understand how merging indigenous and modern/scientific DRM approaches can be more beneficial to sustainable development particularly in local communities.