Governance struggles and policy processes in disaster risk reduction

A case study from Nepal

Bibliographic Data

ID8946129
AuthorsSamantha Jones (0000-0002-0799-4840, Northumbria University, corresponding author), Katie Oven (0000-0002-3363-8604, Durham University), Katie J Oven, Bernard Manyena (0000-0001-5265-3087, Northumbria University), Komal Aryal (0000-0001-9980-4516, Northumbria University)
Year2014
Volume57
Pages78-90
Publication date2014-09-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeoforum (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0016-7185 • E-ISSN: 1872-9398
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.geoforum.2014.07.011
OpenAlexW2162773812
LanguageEN
Citations received53
References cited51

In the neo-liberal climate of reduced responsibility for the state, alongside global platforms established to implement the Hyogo Framework for Action, a new arena opens for a multitude of stakeholders to engage in disaster risk reduction (DRR). The key role that the state can play in instituting effective DRR tends to receive little attention, yet in situations where the state apparatus is weak, such as in Nepal, it becomes evident that integrating DRR into development is a particularly challenging task. Due to the political situation in Nepal, progress has been stalled in providing a legislative context conducive to effective DRR. This paper traces the evolution of key DRR initiatives that have been developed in spite of the challenging governance context, such as the National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management and the Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium. Informed by in-depth interviews with key informants, the argument is made that the dedicated efforts of national and international non-governmental organisations, multilateral agencies and donors in mainstreaming DRR demonstrate that considerable progress can be made even where government departments are protective of their own interests and are slow to enact policies to support DRR. The paper suggests however, that without stronger engagement of key political actors the prospects for further progress in DRR may be limited. The findings have implications for other post-conflict countries or weak states engaging in DRR

Bureaucracy · Context (archaeology · Corporate governance · Disaster risk reduction · Economic growth · Economics · Government (linguistics · Legislature · Management · Political science · Politics · Public relations · State (computer science · Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration · Disaster Management and Resilience · Flood Risk Assessment and Management · Law · Public Administration