With climate-related disasters becoming more frequent, and given that the amount of emissions already produced will continue to impact the world in this regard for many decades, it is crucial that governments prepare and ensure that disaster risk management (DRM) is robust. Produced by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network, this guide outlines what it takes to mainstream DRM in key government sectors, demonstrating that a supportive policy environment, leadership, knowledge of risks, and risk management techniques that are contextually appropriate are all necessary. The guide's structure consists of an introduction to the importance of mainstreaming DRM, before CDKN studies and wider literature are drawn upon to present different ways to achieve effective mainstreaming. Areas covered include: creating the right policy environment for mainstreaming DRM, understanding and evaluating risk, obtaining consistent and effective financing, innovations for mainstreaming, and secure and sustained leadership. The guide closes with the conclusion that there is a clear need for DRM mainstreaming in key development sectors so as to minimise shocks and stresses on progress.
The authors make four cross-cutting recommendations to governments wishing to address this issue, summarised as the ‘4 Ps’ - practices, processes, politics, and partnerships.
There needs to be greater integration of ministries and departments within governments that are relevant to DRM. This need not be through a full-merging of bodies; greater communication and collaboration on the issue is enough. Incentives for mainstreaming and regular training (especially for staff involved in planning) is also necessary.
Processes for evaluating and understanding risk require enhancement, such as ensuring the inclusion of a wide variety of stakeholders in policy-making, which can increase capacity to act on disaster risk. Governments can mandate robust risk-evaluation methods in sectoral decision-making processes, with consideration of the need for methods that do not rely heavily on data (often a scarce resource).
Mainstreaming processes must be widely acknowledged as being highly political, since entrenched interests can be upset by innovation. Sustained leadership for mainstreaming requires careful negotiation, and will only be successful when the intended beneficiaries are included in the process.
Throughout the guide, the importance of diverse partnerships to effectively mainstream DRM is highlighted, be it vertical partnerships between government scales, partnerships with the private sector, or through the interaction of staff in core sectors with more experienced mainstreaming practitioners.