Living with Risk. A global review of disaster reduction initiatives

3
Living with Risk: A global review of disaster reduction initiatives
risks within realistic time and resource
frameworks.
- Identifying what activities or projects are
already being implemented or proposed,
both at the country level and by regional
organizations.
- Identifying programming gaps.
- Identifying possible options for altered
development priorities in light of impact
scenarios.
- Determining lead responsibilities and
agencies for managing the implementation
of the risk reduction strategy.
• Training: As a new concept, the development
of CHARM will require time and
the collaborative effort of all major stakeholders
for it to be fully implemented. Incountry
training capacities need to be developed
and strengthened to drive this process.
• Strengthening Information Technology
Capabilities: A critical success factor will
be to ensure that national disaster management
offices throughout the region are
equipped with human and technical
capacities to manage multi-disciplinary
information resources. This will require
appropriate technological tools and computer-based
information and communication
systems.
Comprehensive Hazard And Risk Management (CHARM)
Six underlying strategic principles to underpin the implementation of CHARM:
• Ensure ownership by the national countries.
• Ensure linkages with National Strategic Plans.
• Ensure linkages and harmonizing with existing systems.
• Ensure appropriate communication and consultation with communities, stakeholders, donors and development
partners.
• Establish the principle that risk reduction is vital to national development and that CHARM is a powerful
tool in the reduction of risk.
• Ensure CHARM is promoted as a public safety tool, a risk reduction change driver, as cost-effective and
as part of an agreed regional programme with donor support.
Immediate challenges to CHARM include:
• Reaching agreement on the processes and means to guide a uniform approach among all participating
countries.
• Establishing a regional implementation framework.
• Identifying training strategies and other essential implementation supports.
• Marketing CHARM effectively, with a view towards sustainability.
• Advocating for and gaining high level support for its adoption as a national initiative.
136