From disaster relief to disaster risk reduction

A Consideration of the Evolving International Relief Mechanism

Bibliographic Data

ID2640199
AuthorsDewald Van Niekerk (0000-0002-4571-4205, North-West University, corresponding author)
Year2008
Volume4
Issue2
Publication date2008-04-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1817-4434 • E-ISSN: 2415-2005
PublisherAOSIS (PUBLISHER • ZA)
DOI10.4102/td.v4i2.158
OpenAlexW2122983791
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited15

Disaster risk reduction is an ever-growing concept and finds its application within various disciplines. This article investigates the development of disaster risk reduction and some of the most important aspects which shaped it. The early years of international disaster relief are discussed and it is shown how a change in this system was necessitated by a variety of factors and international disasters, which exposed its weakness. The article argues that disaster relief and development aid were inextricably linked and it is this linkage which provided a catalyst for questioning the manner in which relief, and development assistance, were provided. The later emphasis on disaster preparedness and management is discussed, and international policies and mechanisms, which contributed to a gradual shift in focus towards disaster risk reduction, enjoy attention. The article concludes that solutions to disaster risks lie within a rigorous trans- disciplinary focus

Business · Disaster preparedness · Disaster risk reduction · Emergency management · Environmental planning · Geography · Political science · Preparedness · Risk management · Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration · Computer Science · Disaster Management and Resilience · Flood Risk Assessment and Management · Law · Finance