Implementing the Sendai Framework in Africa: Progress Against the Targets (2015–2018)

Abstract

Five years after almost all African states signed the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (SFDRR), disasters still have a significant impact on the populations of Africa, their livelihoods, and the infrastructure on which they depend. In contrast with the period of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015, African countries not only adopted the SFDRR but also internalized the various priorities by developing an additional five targets applicable to the continent. This article takes a look at the progress made in Africa against the SFDRR and its seven targets thus far. To determine the progress, a mixed methods research approach was followed. The research found that African states are making progress, but decisive action is needed to reach the 2030 targets of the SFDRR. Much better data and information management are needed, and the limitations towards reaching the SFDRR targets must translate into community-based actions geared towards resilience building.

Keywords

Africa / Disaster risk reduction / Progress / Sendai framework targets

References

[1] Aronsson-Storrier M. Sendai five years on: Reflections on the role of international law in the creation and reduction of disaster risk. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2020

[2] AU (African Union). 2000. The constitutive act of the African Union. Addis Ababa: AU. http://www.au.int/en/about/constitutive_act. Accessed 16 Jan 2020.

[3] AU (Africa Union) Declaration of the six high level meeting in disaster risk reduction, 2018, Tunis: AUC

[4] AUC (Africa Union Commission) Programme of action for the implementation of the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction 2015–2030 in Africa, 2016, Addis Ababa: AUC

[5] AUC (African Union Commission). 2019. Africa common position to the 2019 global platform for disaster risk reduction, 13–17 May, Geneva, Switzerland. Addis Ababa: AUC. https://www.preventionweb.net/files/67051_africacommonpositiontothe2019global.pdf. Accessed 03 Feb 2020.

[6] Begun JW, Zimmerman B, Dooley K. Mick SM, Wyttenbach M. Health care organizations as complex adaptive systems. Advances in health care organization theory, 2003, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass 253-288.

[7] Boal KB, Schultz PL. Storytelling, time, and evolution: The role of strategic leadership in complex adaptive systems. The Leadership Quarterly, 2007, 18(4): 411-428

[8] Botha D, Van Niekerk D. Views from the frontline: A critical assessment of local risk governance in South Africa. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 2013, 5(2): 1-10

[9] Briceño S. What to expect after Sendai: Looking forward to more effective disaster risk reduction. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2015, 6(2): 202-204

[10] Cardona OD. Cardona OD. The need for rethinking the concepts of vulnerability and risk from a holistic perspective: A necessary review and criticism for effective risk management. Mapping vulnerability, 2013, New York: Routledge 57-70.

[11] Clarke ML, Blanchard MK, Maini R, Radu A, Eltinay N, Zaidi Z, Murray V. Knowing what we know—Reflections on the development of technical guidance for loss data for the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction. PLoS Currents, 2018

[12] Cui Y, Cheng D, Choi CE, Jin W, Lei Y, Kargel JS. The cost of rapid and haphazard urbanization: Lessons learned from the Freetown landslide disaster. Landslides, 2019, 16(6): 1167-1176

[13] De la Poterie AT, Baudoin MA. From Yokohama to Sendai: Approaches to participation in international disaster risk reduction frameworks. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2015, 6(2): 128-139

[14] EM-DAT (Emergency Events Database). 2019. Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED). Louvain: Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain). https://www.emdat.be/emdat_db/. Accessed 17 Dec 2019.

[15] Guadagno L. Human mobility in the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2016, 7(1): 30-40

[16] Hagelsteen M, Becker P. Challenging disparities in capacity development for disaster risk reduction. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 2013, 3: 4-13

[17] Hartvigsen G, Kinzig A, Peterson G. Use and analysis of complex adaptive systems in ecosystem science: Overview of special section. Ecosystems, 1998, 1(5): 427-430

[18] Holden LM. Complex adaptive systems: Concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2005, 52(6): 651-657

[19] Jones, K., A. Bartolucci, and K. Hiscock. 2017. The role of FM in disaster resilience: Integrating the Sendai framework into disaster risk management. In Proceedings of 16th Research Symposium, European Facility Management Conference (EFMC 2017), 25–28 April 2017, Madrid, Spain.

[20] Le Roux T, Van Niekerk D. Challenges in stakeholders self-organising to enhance disaster communication (ahead-of-print). Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 2019, 25(1): 128-142

[21] Malalgoda C, Dilanthi A, Haigh R. Challenges in creating a disaster resilient built environment. Procedia Economics and Finance, 2014, 18: 736-744

[22] Manyena B. After Sendai: Is Africa bouncing back or bouncing forward from disasters?. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2016, 7(1): 41-53

[23] Marchezini V. “What is a sociologist doing here?” An unconventional people-centered approach to improve warning implementation in the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2020

[24] Munene MB, Swartling AG, Thomalla F. Adaptive governance as a catalyst for transforming the relationship between development and disaster risk through the Sendai framework?. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 2018, 28: 653-663

[25] Mysiak J, Surminski S, Thieken A, Mechler R, Aerts JC. Brief communication: Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction–success or warning sign for Paris?. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 2016, 16(10): 2189-2193

[26] Olowu, D. 2010. The Hyogo framework for action and its implications for disaster management and reduction in Africa. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 3(1): 303–320.

[27] Orago, N.W. 2019. Africa and MENA Region. 2018. Yearbook of International Disaster Law Online 1(1): 326–335.

[28] Oxley, M., 2015. Review of the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction 2015–2030. Global Network for Disaster Risk Reduction. https://www.gndr.org/news/item/1490-critique-to-sfdrr.html. Accessed 12 Feb 2020.

[29] Pearson, L., and M. Pelling. 2015. The UN Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction 2015–2030: Negotiation process and prospects for science and practice. Journal of Extreme Events 2(1): Article 1571001.

[30] Pelling M, Garschagen M. Put equity first in climate adaptation. Nature, 2019, 569(7756): 327-329

[31] Pelling M, Holloway AJ. Legislation for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction, 2006, Teddington, UK: Tearfund

[32] Reifels L, Arbon P, Capon A, Handmer J, Humphrey A, Murray V, Spencer C, Wong D. Health and disaster risk reduction regarding the Sendai framework. Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 2018, 2: 16-21.

[33] UNDRR (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction). 2019. Sendai framework monitor. Geneva: UNDRR. https://sendaimonitor.unisdr.org. Accessed 12 Dec 2019.

[34] UNISDR (United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction) Hyogo framework for action 2005–2015: Building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters, 2005, Geneva: UNISDR

[35] UNISDR (United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction) Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction 2015–2030, 2015, Geneva: UNISDR

[36] United Nations. 2015a. Paris Agreement. https://unfccc.int/files/essential_background/convention/application/pdf/english_paris_agreement.pdf. Accessed 29 Mar 2020.

[37] United Nations. 2015b. Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/21252030%20Agenda%20for%20Sustainable%20Development%20web.pdf. Accessed 29 Mar 2020.

[38] Van Niekerk D. Disaster risk governance in Africa: A retrospective assessment of progress against the Hyogo framework for action (2000–2012). Disaster Prevention and Management, 2015, 24(3): 397-416

[39] Van Niekerk, D., and B. Wisner. 2014. Integrating disaster risk management and development planning: Experiences from Africa. In Disaster management: International lessons in risk reduction, response and recovery, 1st edn., A. López-Carresi, M. Fordham, B. Wisner, I. Kelman, and J.C. Gaillard, 213–228. New York: Routledge.

[40] Weems P. Cyclone Idai and Team Rubicon: When the support comes full circle. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 2019, 13(3): 381-382

[41] Zhou H, Wang J, Wan J, Jia H. Resilience to natural hazards: A geographic perspective. Natural Hazards, 2010, 53(1): 21-41