DISASTER RISK REDUCTION:
Learning from the 2006 Yogyakarta Earthquake
Erin Joakim, PhD Candidate, University of Waterloo, Canada
ejoakim@uwaterloo.ca
Presentation Outline

Introduction

Disaster Risk Reduction

Disaster Risk Reduction Framework
 PD-SLRV
Framework

Examples from 2006 Yogyakarta Earthquake

Conclusion
Introduction
Introduction

“Can modern societies afford to value their social
and material assets only after they have been lost
in a disaster?” (UN/ISDR, 2004)
Disaster Risk Reduction


The conceptual framework of elements considered with
the possibilities to minimize vulnerabilities and disaster
risks throughout a society, to avoid (prevention) or to
limit (mitigation and preparedness) the adverse impacts
of hazards, within the broad context of sustainable
development. (UN/ISDR, 2004)
The outcome of DRR activities should be the “substantial
reduction of disaster losses, in lives and social, economic
and environmental assets of communities and countries”
(HFA, 2005)
Disaster Risk Reduction

Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) Priorities:

Make DRR a Priority


Know the Risks and Take Action


Use knowledge (including local knowledge), innovation, and
education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels
Reduce Risk


Identify, assess, and monitor disaster risks – and enhance early
warning
Build Understanding and Awareness


DRR as national and local priority with strong, collaborative
institutional base for implementation
Acknowledge and reduce underling causes and risk factors
Be Prepared and Ready to Act

Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all
levels
Disaster Risk Reduction

Two aims of disaster risk reduction:
 Build
resilient societies
 Ensure
development efforts to do not perpetuate or
contribute to vulnerability
Disaster Risk Reduction Framework
Vulnerability
Root Causes
Dynamic Pressures
Visible Manifestations
XY-Axis
Relationship
Access Model
Effective
DRR
Sustainable
Livelihoods
Resilience
Capitals
Human
Social
Natural
Physical
Financial
Cultural
Political
Resistance
Undefined
Recovery
Creativity
Vulnerability

Defined as “the characteristics of a person or group and their situation
that influence their capacity to anticipate, cope with, resist and recover
from the impact of a natural hazard” (Wisner et al., 2004:11)
Vulnerability

Influenced by a variety of
social, economic and
political structures as well
as individual agency
 Includes
access to:
 Tangible
and intangible
assets (material & social
goods)
 Knowledge and information
 Access to power
Vulnerability

Key points from various vulnerability models:

Social-ecological
perspective

Focus on place +
larger-scale
processes

Root causes of
vulnerability
Resilience

Three conceptualizations of resilience:

Resistance


Recovery


Stems from ecological literature and relates to the ability to withstand
and/or absorb the impacts of external pressures and disturbances
without experiencing long-term impacts
Common interpretation of resilience which examines the amount of time it
takes a community to ‘bounce back’ to previous levels of functioning after
experiencing a hazardous event
Creativity

More recent understanding that incorporates ideas of adaptive capacity,
whereby the post-disaster context is seen as a window of opportunity for
increasing the functionality and resiliency of the community
Vulnerability and Resilience

Complexity of relationship
 Vulnerability
 Strength
and resilience as continuum
of institutions
 Level
of skills versus education
 Level
of experience
 Vulnerability
 Relationship
and resilience as separate
as X-Y axis
Sustainable Livelihoods

Defined as comprising “the
capabilities, assets and
activities required for a
means of living. A
livelihood is sustainable
when it can cope with and
recover from stresses and
shocks and maintain or
enhance its capabilities and
assets both now and in the
future, while not
undermining the natural
resource base” (Chambers
& Conway, 1992)
Sustainable Livelihoods

Connections between livelihoods and disasters:
 Location
of home and work activities (i.e. Fishing
communities)
Sustainable Livelihoods

Connections between livelihoods and disasters:
 Location
of home and work activities (i.e. Fishing
communities)
Sustainable Livelihoods

Connections between livelihoods and disasters:
 Location
of home and work activities (i.e. Fishing
communities)
 Livelihood impacts on environment leading to increased
risk (i.e. Logging & deforestation)
 Impacts level of income and access to resources to
prepare, respond and recover from hazardous events
 Connection between emergency aid and longer-term
development projects
2006 Yogyakarta Earthquake
2006 Yogyakarta Earthquake

Vulnerability Examples:


Lack of political power

Diversion of funds and resources

Lack of knowledge for obtaining funding for projects
Physical geography


Limited productivity of rice fields
Savings

The role of savings for recovery
2006 Yogyakarta Earthquake

Resilience Examples:
 House
rebuilding effort
 Construction
 National
standards
and International social connections
 Funding
 Improved
for development programming
community development programming
 Adaptations
after earthquake
2006 Yogyakarta Earthquake

Sustainable Livelihoods Examples:
 Livelihood
 Tailors,
construction labourers
 Livelihood
 Sewing
capital
machines
 Livelihood
 Job
training
opportunities
opportunities/availability
 Livelihood
 Market
networks
saturation, marketing skills
Conclusion

Disaster risk reduction measure require a holistic
approach that include all sectors and actors of society

These initiatives need to be long-term, address some of
the underlying causes of vulnerability and access,
improve livelihood conditions and build various forms of
resilience