R. Lalitha S. Fernando

Disaster Management in Asia: Lessons Learned and Policy Implications

This chapter draws several lessons learned from the previous chapters. It also discusses the policy implications of governance approaches to mitigate disaster risk and manage pre- and post-disaster processes in order to reduce both economic and human loss caused by disasters. The authors of these chapters consistently point out that the way disaster risk management strategies and frameworks are formulated and implemented, the coordination among stakeholders in all the three sectors (government, the private sector and civil society) and the availability of resources have consequences to disaster risk reduction and other associated issues.

Effectiveness of Administrative Preparedness: A Case Study on Flooding Conditions in Ambagamuwa Korale Division of Nuwara Eliya District in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is prone to frequent floods during monsoonal rainy seasons. Although the Southern and Eastern Provinces of the country are affected by frequent floods, the tendency of vulnerability is increasing in the Central Province in recent years. Development programmes that utilise watersheds and catchment areas in the hilly Central Province alarmed recurrence of floods. The requirement of a systematic arrangement for disaster management in Sri Lanka has been the highlighted aftermath of the tsunami in 2004. The Disaster Management Act No. 13 of 2005 establishes an institutional framework and national policy to disaster management. The Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015 identifies strengthening preparedness to response disaster as one of the key concerns. The main objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of administrative preparedness to mitigate the impact of floods and identify appropriate improvements to the current mechanisms. Thirty families affected by floods caused by the north-east monsoon in 2012 in Ambagamuwa Korale Division of Nuwara Eliya District in Sri Lanka were selected as a purposive sample. Unstructured interviews and observation method were used to gather primary data. Thematic analysis was used to examine the effectiveness of the administrative preparedness in this division. The themes were derived based on the key concerns of disaster preparedness and response, highlighted in the Disaster Management Policy of Sri Lanka. Having examined the effectiveness of administrative preparedness of the division, a theoretical framework for the improvement of the effectiveness of administrative preparedness in mitigating the impact of the disaster is proposed.

Recovery After Disasters—Problems and Prospects: The Case of Koslanda-Meeriyabedda Landslide in Sri Lanka

An unexpected landslide was happened in a faraway village on 29th of October 2014, in Meeriyabedda Estate, Badulla District in Sri Lanka. This study examines the effectiveness of the recovery process of Meeriyabedda Landslide. The objectives of the study are to 1) examine how the government has intervened the recovery process 2) explore main issues and problems during the recovery process and 3) propose suitable strategies to improve their living standards. The study used case study method with the field data obtained through interviews during the month of June 2015. It was revealed that the victims of the landslide are still struggling to recover and the recovery process was not up to the expected level. Major administrative issues during the recovery process were identified and policy measures were suggested for improving the peoples lives in strengthening the recovery process of Disaster management in Sri Lanka

Strategic Disaster Risk Management in Asia: An Introduction

This chapter provides a synopsis of various strategies to manage disaster risk in the Asian context. The chapter also summarises the key arguments discussed in each chapter in this volume. Different countries have implemented different governance approaches to manage disasters, reduce risk, prepare for disasters and address the impacts of disasters; yet, the outcomes of such initiatives are not uniformed. Thus, the search for new strategies to manage disaster risk in the Asian context has been a continuous task of all stakeholders in all the three sectors: government, the private sector and civil society.

An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Implementing Public Awareness, Education and Training Programmes as a Risk Reduction Strategy in Disaster Management in Sri Lanka

The frequency and intensity of natural hazards have been multiplied during the past few decades in Sri Lanka and have destroyed millions of human lives and properties. There is a high probability of a disaster increase in the coming years due to climate change. Potential risk of any disaster could be minimised if there is an effective risk reduction strategy. Such a strategy should focus on a community-based approach through educational and public awareness programmes which could be considered as an effective tool in building the people’s capacity to cope with disaster risks and reducing vulnerability. In order to reduce the potential risk of disasters, the government of Sri Lanka has prepared a comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework in 2005, known as ‘Towards a Safer Sri Lanka: Road Map for Disaster Risk Management’. The framework consists of seven strategies for disaster risk management. The seventh strategy of the framework focuses on public awareness, education and training programmes which are increasingly considered the most effective way of disaster risk reduction. The main objectives of this study are (1) to identify what the implemented programmes of public awareness, education and training are, (2) to examine how those programmes were implemented, (3) to identify the main problems and difficulties encountered upon the implementation of these programmes and (4) to propose guidelines for improving the implementation of the programmes. A qualitative approach has been utilised in order to answer the research questions of the study. Both primary and secondary data were employed as part of data collection. Observation and semi-structured interviews were conducted by selected officers who are involved in the implementation of the programmes. As secondary data sources, available plans, related documents, Disaster Management Act in Sri Lanka, annual reports and publications of the Disaster Management Centre and other documents of the Ministry of Disaster Management in Sri Lanka were utilised. Content analysis and thematic analysis with substantial descriptions were employed in analysing the data. The findings of the study reveal that most of the sub-strategies under the public education and training strategy have been implemented except few activities. It has also been found that several difficulties at the implementation are still remaining that need to be addressed immediately in order to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of the programmes.

Determinants of Managerial Innovation in the State University Administration in Sri Lanka

Universal access to education is one of the key development goals to be achieved by 2015 under the Millennium Declaration declared in 2000. At a conference on universities and the Millennium Development Goals held in April 2010, vice-chancellors across the Commonwealth declared that future national and global development goals should recognize the role of higher education, and universities in both developed and developing countries should draft clear strategies and share expertise more effectively to support the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Thus, universities are expected to play a crucial role in shaping and developing human resources required for the development process in a country. The immediate output of these institutions would be employable and quality graduates who should possess the required knowledge and skills with positive attitudes.

Disaster Communication in Mitigating Climate Change in Sri Lanka: Problems and Prospects

Climate change (CC) as a natural disaster is a serious threat to humanity. As Sri Lanka is situated in the Indian Ocean, and the country as a whole is now more vulnerable to the effects of CC than ever before. A serious disruption was experienced by the people in Sri Lanka during the tsunami on 26 December 2004, which is considered to be the result of CC. It was an unforgettable incidence for the country’s citizens. The impact on people’s lives and the economy has not been accurately estimated yet. Table 4.1 shows the number of people who were affected by various types of disaster during the period of 1974–2004 in Sri Lanka.