Building responsive capability for disaster managemen. An empirical study of the Saudi Civil Defence Authority.

Abstract

Disasters are always local in their impact, and therefore approaches towards their alleviation need to be designed and implemented based on this certainty. Since the 1960s there has been a constant evolution in the common understanding of international disaster management. Various measures and structures were created to plan for emergency relief and the management of a disastrous event. Despite international efforts which aimed to reduce the impact of natural and anthropogenic hazards on humankind, very little progress was made. Loss of life, property, infrastructure and economic livelihoods are on the increase without any indication of improvement. Developmental activities can in most instances be blamed for the high level of disaster risk present in communities. On the other hand, very little has been done in the international arena (through a multi-disciplinary approach) to ensure a developmental focus on disaster risk. This study investigates the current state of disaster management practices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) by benchmarking its activities against established frameworks applied in the developed world for disaster management. The aim of this thesis was primarily to provide a comprehensive framework for disaster risk management in KSA. Such a framework will serve as a guideline for all spheres of government on a strategic level in order to implement disaster risk management. Conclusions to the research demonstrate the importance of linking government policy and practice on disaster risk management across different stakeholders involved in managing disaster risk. This study proposed an integrated model for disaster management by introducing the dual paradigm of disaster management (proactive mindset and reactive mindset). In a nutshell, this thesis aimed to develop a comprehensive multi-disciplinary disaster risk management framework that would be tailor-made for the strategic management arena in Saudi Arabia¿s Ministry of Interior (Directorate of Civil Defence). The research provides the reader with a background study on the international development of the concept of disaster risk management and its components. It focuses on disaster risk management within the Saudi Arabian context. Four international disaster risk management frameworks are analytically compared and aligned with international best practices. Subsequently, the proposed Framework for Disaster in Saudi Arabia is analysed.