Article by Elena Tzamouranou, Dock

In the era of increasing natural disasters and the consequences of climate change, the role of communities in natural disaster management has never been more critical, as they are the first line of defense. From wildfires to floods, community engagement is essential for effective prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The importance of active community participation is even more pronounced in small mountain communities facing demographic challenges such as an aging population and a declining population. The decline of traditional livestock farming and the abandonment of agricultural land has led to increased vegetation that is flammable, increasing vulnerability to natural disasters. In addition, administrative changes (the “Kallikratis” law) have led not only to a reduction in available resources but also in the political influence of small remote communities, weakening their voice in decision-making centers relative to urban centers and touristic coastal areas.

These factors necessitate the immediate action and cooperation of all in the direction of empowering small communities and their people, recognizing and highlighting the role they can play in natural disasters. The project “Dialogue and Action against Wildfires”, which is being implemented in four villages in prefecture of Messinia, aspires to be a powerful example of how local knowledge and active community participation can significantly enhance disaster resilience. By leveraging local knowledge and experience, participatory planning and collective action, communities can better anticipate disasters, prepare more efficiently, respond effectively and recover faster from disasters.

Why community involvement matters

Communities have a wealth of information that is invaluable in disaster management. They understand the unique characteristics of their environment, historical patterns of natural disasters, and effective traditional practices for mitigation and response. This experience can complement scientific data, leading to more comprehensive and effective disaster management strategies. For example, the inhabitants of a village know if flammable vegetation has accumulated somewhere, if a road has been damaged, or if a resident has built a private water tank that can be used in an emergency. They also have knowledge of their strengths and vulnerabilities, as well as what has and has not worked in previous emergencies. Therefore, community residents have experiential knowledge that cannot be replaced by outside experts, and this makes their participation essential to the success of any disaster management plan.

When communities are actively involved in all stages of disaster management, they develop a sense of collective ownership and responsibility for the plans and actions that are implemented. This sense of responsibility creates a strong bond between community members and enhances their confidence in management processes. Trust, in turn, is a cornerstone for better cooperation and coordination when an emergency arises. Community members are more likely to participate in prevention and preparedness activities, follow evacuation plans, and support recovery efforts if they have been involved in the planning process. In addition, their active participation helps them develop skills and understand the steps needed to respond to disasters, making them more prepared to respond effectively.

Active community involvement is also essential for behavior and attitude change and for promoting a more inclusive approach. Small communities with more traditional and established relationships tend to be insufficiently inclusive – as the position of women and other vulnerable groups may be entrenched in a way that is not conductive to equality – but the social relationships that do exist can facilitate access to these people and build confidence so that they actively participate. When all social groups are involved in the process, important issues and needs, that might otherwise be ignored, are highlighted. Without this active participation and change in behavior and attitudes, it seems impossible to achieve real inclusion.

In addition, communities are often the first line of defense during a disaster, especially in remote areas, before official forces such as the fire brigade arrive. Community response, based on the survival instinct, can lead to chaos and escalation of the situation. Conversely, recognizing the role of communities, including their knowledge, actively engaging and educating them can make the difference between controlling a situation and escalating it. In this way, communities can limit the extent of damage and help the state apparatus to respond more accurately and quickly. Community preparedness and active participation not only benefit the residents themselves, but also supports the wider disaster management effort. Let’s face it: it is the recognition of the role and involvement of communities that will lead to having immediate response and natural disaster response forces in every village.

Approaches to disaster management that recognize the role of the community

Natural disasters management can be approached from the perspective of risk management by considering strategies that a community can implement in prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. In this context, Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) and Community-Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) are two approaches that prioritize local capacities and resources, promoting community-based resilience.

Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) focuses on community involvement in all stages of disaster management, from risk assessment and planning to implementation and monitoring. It emphasizes understanding local risks and vulnerabilities, developing community-specific strategies, and empowering residents through educational programs and capacity-building activities. The goal is to create a culture of prevention, preparedness and resilience within the community. By involving all social groups and leveraging local knowledge, CBDRR helps to formulate more effective and sustainable disaster management strategies.

On the other hand, Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) goes a step further by ensuring that communities take an active role in managing disaster risk reduction efforts in their locality. Communities are aware of the risks, organize themselves into groups, get trained, certified and work with the relevant authorities to take action. By promoting self-organization and collective action, CMDRR creates a strong foundation for sustainable and effective disaster management. CMDRR strengthens the capacity of communities to respond to disasters in a way that is adapted to local conditions and needs, while strengthening community’s sense of collective ownership and responsibility for risk management, always with the guidance and support of the relevant authorities.

The “Dialogue and Action Against Wildires” project: a practical example

The project in Messinia area highlights the transformative impact of community participation in disaster management. Key elements of the project highlight how empowering local communities can increase their resilience and lead to more effective and sustainable outcomes. The pilot project involves four communities of Messinia embracing the southern part of the “Kalligas” Wildlife Reserve (Ancient Messini, Manganiako, Trikorfo and Koromilia) and aims to reduce the risk of natural disasters and improve their preparedness through participatory processes, dialogue and collective actions. Through these four case studies the project aspires to highlight a model of natural disaster risk management that can be adopted by any similar small community.

One of the key elements of the project was participatory scenario development. The project engaged community members in a collective analysis of the existing situation and in the participatory creation of prototype disaster scenarios, incorporating their knowledge and experiences. The resulting prototype plans are being consulted on in order to be refined to be realistic and locally relevant, ensuring better preparedness and response strategies.

Through organized discussions and dialogue, the project addressed the ethical issues associated with wildfire management and highlighted issues of resource management, vulnerabilities and equity. For example, communities highlighted the need for solidarity and community responsibility, for transparent and fair management of resources, as well as for the protection of vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with mobility impairments. This inclusive approach not only enriches project results, but also strengthens social cohesion and collective responsibility.

Systematic documentation was another important element of the project. By systematically documenting community knowledge and experiences, the project provides a strong basis for policy recommendations. The municipality, the forestry department, the fire department, as well as agencies in the wider region are aware of the progress of the project, which contributes to the creation of a common understanding of the needs and challenges facing the communities. This process helps to take into account community-based approaches to disaster management, promoting cooperation and coordinated action among various agencies and the community.

Future directions

The “Dialogue and Action against Wildfires” project highlights the importance of community involvement in disaster management. As communities worldwide face increasing risks from natural disasters, adopting similar models can strengthen resilience and preparedness on a larger scale.

In the future, it is necessary to:

Encourage community-based initiatives. This means supporting and funding projects that prioritize local knowledge and active community participation. These initiatives must be tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of each community, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.

Promote inclusive policies. That is, to support policies that incorporate community knowledge and address the needs of vulnerable groups. Policy makers need to recognize the value of local knowledge and incorporate it into formal disaster management frameworks.

Strengthen continuous participation. In other words, to maintain ongoing dialogue and cooperation between communities, authorities and disaster management experts to ensure adaptive and resilient strategies. Regular feedback and iterative improvements to disaster plans can help communities remain prepared for evolving threats.

Invest resources in capacity building. In particular, provide resources and training for local capacity building in disaster management. Empowering communities with the necessary tools and knowledge will enable them to take proactive measures to reduce disaster risks.

Conclusions

The active participation of communities in disaster management is vital for effective prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. Local communities possess valuable knowledge about the specificities of their area and are the first to react in the event of a fire. To strengthen the role of communities and support community-based approaches, community-centred projects such as the “Dialogue and Action Against Wildfires” project should be promoted and supported. At the same time, policies that incorporate community knowledge and address the needs of vulnerable groups should be promoted, continuous participation should be strengthened by maintaining dialogue and cooperation between communities, authorities and disaster management experts, and resources should be invested in capacity building by providing training and the necessary tools in communities. With these directions, we can ensure a future where communities are better prepared and more resilient to natural disasters, thus helping to protect people and the environment.

For more information on the “Dialogue and Action Αgainst Wildfires” project visit the website
https://dock-sse.org/project/empowering-local-communities/
info@dock-sse.org 

Translated from: https://shorturl.at/worv4