Paper short abstract:

The increase in natural disasters stresses the need for robust risk management. Integrating community-based approaches (CBAs) alongside traditional methods is vital for reducing disaster risk. This study clarifies key CBA elements and tools and propose a framework for effective community engagement.

Paper long abstract:

In 2022, the world witnessed a staggering 387 natural disasters, resulting in the loss of 30,704 lives and causing economic damages amounting to EUR 52.3 billion. These statistics underscore the need for effective disaster risk management strategies in the face of escalating climate-related extremes. While traditional top-down approaches have been commonly employed, there is growing recognition of the importance of integrating bottom-up community-based approaches (CBAs) to ensure the inclusivity and sustainability of disaster risk reduction efforts.

Although CBAs for disaster risk reduction (DRR) have been extensively studied, there's still uncertainty about their essential elements and the most effective tools for community integration into DRR policy cycles. This study delves into the complexities of CBAs and seeks to shed light on the essential elements defining such approaches, as well as the most effective tools for community engagement. We conducted a thorough literature review using Web of Science, identifying 74 papers for detailed analysis. Employing deductive content analysis, we distilled key insights from these papers.

Our findings highlight the myriad ways in which communities can participate in shaping DRR strategies. While diverse tools exist for community inclusion in DRR, no single tool emerges as superior; rather, the efficacy of tools depends on contextual factors. To provide clarity amidst this diversity, we propose a conceptual framework comprising four dimensions: Drivers, Local Context, Community Agency, and Participatory Processes. This framework serves as a blueprint for real-world CBAs, empowering policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to navigate the complexities of community engagement in disaster risk management effectively.