Local knowledge is must for disaster reduction: Experts

Experts and stakeholders have stressed that a better understanding of the linkages between local knowledge and disaster preparedness can help implementing organisation promote livelihood security and safeguard communities.

They were talking to a three-day regional workshop on “Social Inclusion in Disaster Risk Reduction in the Himalayan Region – Sharing Knowledge and Bridging Gaps” organised by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Kathmandu.

, Addressing the workshop, Dr Madhav Karki, deputy director general- programmes of ICIMOD said “All disasters can be reduced and mitigated through human actions and ingenuity before the hazards strike us”, adding “human beings can prevent a hazard developing into a disaster using local knowledge and technological advances”.

Similarly, P.G. Chakrabarti of National Institute of Disaster Management, India underlined that pre-disaster preparedness and mitigation is more important than post disaster management and rehabilitation. “Social inclusion is challenging and most important process in disaster management because in disaster children, women, and elderly people suffer more than others.” he said.

Delegates from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, representing government, non-government, and community-based organisations also discussed how women, children, the elderly and disabled and other marginalised groups can be included when planning and preparing to reduce the risk from disasters.

They emphasised that vulnerable and marginalised people – women, the elderly, and disabled – are more affected than others.

Worldwide, the South Asian region, which is among the poorest and most populated in the world, is also the hardest hit by natural disasters. Some 80 percent of all natural disasters are climate related and about 40 percent are related to floods. Poor communities, especially in the mountain areas of the region, are both the most vulnerable to natural disasters and the least prepared to cope with them.

During the workshop three books were also launched on different aspects of knowledge related to disaster preparedness: one on the role of gender, and two on the importance of local knowledge in disaster preparedness.