This paper explores the link between human rights and disaster risk reduction (DRR), analysing how a human rights-based approach may contribute to greater accountability and empowerment of those involved in DRR.

Four country case studies are reviewed and their main regulations on disaster risk reduction, taking into account the extent to which they adopt a human rights-based approach. The paper argues that countries whose legal frameworks allow for community engagement point towards greater community empowerment. Similarly, countries whose legal provisions make possible for holding States accountable for their underperformance in disaster situations suggest greater levels of accountability. The authors also consider key international human rights instruments binding the four case studies in order to analyse whether and to what extent international human rights obligations may support advocacy and accountability in disaster risk reduction. The study concludes that empowerment and accountability processes in disaster risk reduction can reinforce each other, and that human rights may contribute to progress in these areas.

[Adapted from source]