Building responsive capability for disaster management : an empirical study of the Saudi Civil Defence Authority
Year: 2011
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Disasters are always local in their impact, and therefore approaches towards their \nalleviation need to be designed and implemented based on this certainty. Since the \n1960s there has been a constant evolution in the common understanding of \ninternational disaster management. Various measures and structures were created to \nplan for emergency relief and the management of a disastrous event. Despite \ninternational efforts which aimed to reduce the impact of natural and anthropogenic \nhazards on humankind, very little progress was made. Loss of life, property, \ninfrastructure and economic livelihoods are on the increase without any indication of \nimprovement. Developmental activities can in most instances be blamed for the high \nlevel of disaster risk present in communities. On the other hand, very little has been \ndone in the international arena (through a multi-disciplinary approach) to ensure a \ndevelopmental focus on disaster risk. This study investigates the current state of \ndisaster management practices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) by \nbenchmarking its activities against established frameworks applied in the developed \nworld for disaster management. \nThe aim of this thesis was primarily to provide a comprehensive framework for \ndisaster risk management in KSA. Such a framework will serve as a guideline for all \nspheres of government on a strategic level in order to implement disaster risk \nmanagement. \nConclusions to the research demonstrate the importance of linking government \npolicy and practice on disaster risk management across different stakeholders \ninvolved in managing disaster risk. This study proposed an integrated model for \ndisaster management by introducing the dual paradigm of disaster management \n(proactive mindset and reactive mindset). \nIn a nutshell, this thesis aimed to develop a comprehensive multi-disciplinary \ndisaster risk management framework that would be tailor-made for the strategic \nmanagement arena in Saudi Arabia¿s Ministry of Interior (Directorate of Civil \nDefence). The research provides the reader with a background study on the \ninternational development of the concept of disaster risk management and its \ncomponents. It focuses on disaster risk management within the Saudi Arabian \ncontext. Four international disaster risk management frameworks are analytically \ncompared and aligned with international best practices. Subsequently, the proposed \nFramework for Disaster in Saudi Arabia is analysed.
Author: Ammar Mohammed Magrabi
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1525041402