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Navigating in the Midst of Uncertainties: Challenges in Disaster Risk Governance in Mozambique
Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Centre for Climate and Safety (from 2013). Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Environmental and Life Sciences (from 2013). Centre of Natural Hazards and Disaster Science.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5514-8374
2018 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Disasters cause heavy losses for societies and may quickly erode any development efforts. Consequently, disaster risk reduction (DRR) is an integral part of development work that should be addressed at multiple levels. Global DRR frameworks, scholars and practitioners all advocate disaster risk governance (DRG) strategies that are multi-stakeholder, polycentric and multisectoral. While various substantive knowledge gaps and questions arising from multiple risks and the crosscutting nature of DRR have been relatively well addressed, uncertainties relating to multiple DRR actors operating and collaborating at different scales have gained less attention in previous studies.

This thesis investigates the uncertainties in DRG in Mozambique, a low-income country that regularly faces natural hazards. These hazards often cause heavy loss of life and livelihoods and economic damage. The four articles that together constitute this thesis focus on different sets of uncertainties and factors that have constrained or allowed Mozambique to take major steps in this policy area. By exploring strategic and institutional uncertainties related to stakeholder involvement, coordination and policy disputes, this thesis reveals different challenges and opportunities that affect DRR policymaking in Mozambique.

This thesis concludes that Mozambique has managed to take important steps in DRR. However, as a consequence of the different challenges to DRR practice in Mozambique, policymaking can be short-sighted and makes slow progress, thus increasing the disconnect between theory, policies and practice. This thesis thus argues that DRG research and practice need to better take into account power-relations; coordination and capacity issues; and responsibilities and transparency across scales, both in Mozambique and elsewhere.

Abstract [en]

Global disaster risk reduction (DRR) frameworks, scholars and practitioners advocate multi-stakeholder, polycentric and multisectoral strategies for disaster risk governance (DRG). However, previous studies have not adequately addressed uncertainties relating to multiple DRR actors operating and collaborating at different scales. This thesis investigates the uncertainties in DRG in Mozambique, a low-income country that regularly faces natural hazards that often cause heavy loss of life and livelihoods and economic damage. The four articles that together constitute this thesis focus on different sets of uncertainties and factors that have constrained or allowed Mozambique to take major steps in this policy area. By exploring uncertainties related to stakeholder involvement, coordination and policy disputes, this thesis reveals different challenges and opportunities that affect DRR policymaking in Mozambique. This thesis concludes that Mozambique has managed to take important steps in DRR. However, as a consequence of the different challenges to DRR practice in Mozambique, policymaking can be short-sighted and makes slow progress, thus increasing the disconnect between theory, policies and practice. It thus calls for increased attention to be paid to DRG in Mozambique and elsewhere.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Karlstad: Karlstads universitet, 2018. , p. 83
Series
Karlstad University Studies, ISSN 1403-8099 ; 2018:39
Keywords [en]
disaster risk governance, Mozambique, disaster risk reduction
National Category
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Research subject
Risk and Environmental Studies
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-69145ISBN: 978-91-7063-875-6 (print)ISBN: 978-91-7063-970-8 (electronic)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kau-69145DiVA, id: diva2:1246683
Public defence
2018-10-26, Nyquistsalen, 9C 203, Karlstads universitet, Karlstad, 13:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2018-10-08 Created: 2018-09-09 Last updated: 2018-10-08Bibliographically approved
List of papers
1. A policymaking perspective on disaster risk reduction in Mozambique
Open this publication in new window or tab >>A policymaking perspective on disaster risk reduction in Mozambique
2017 (English)In: Environmental hazards, ISSN 1464-2867, E-ISSN 1878-5697, Vol. 16, no 3, p. 210-227Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Academics and practitioners alike emphasise that public policy plays a key role to support efforts to reduce disaster risks and to buffer the impacts of natural hazards when they occur. This involves developing public policies to promote disaster risk reduction (DRR). However, the public policy dimension has only recently begun to receive attention in empirical research on DRR. Processes of policy change are discussed, yet less often studied, and more empirical research is needed to advance the understanding of the conditions for DRR policy change. Combining insights from adaptation research and public policy theory, this study investigates the long-term development of DRR policy in Mozambique as perceived by multiple stakeholders. The study identifies barriers and enabling factors influencing the DRR policy process over time. Using data from 37 semi-structured interviews, the study finds six main enabling factors supporting DRR policy change. Among the most important enabling factors are past disasters and broad stakeholder involvement. The study also unveils several barriers to DRR policy change, including resource insufficiency and lack of coordination among stakeholders. The study concludes with suggestions for integrating DRR and policy process research and lessons for policymaking in support of DRR over time.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2017
National Category
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Research subject
Risk and Environmental Studies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-63591 (URN)10.1080/17477891.2016.1218820 (DOI)000407914000002 ()
Projects
CNDS
Available from: 2017-09-12 Created: 2017-09-12 Last updated: 2019-11-08Bibliographically approved
2. A Stakeholder Analysis of the Disaster Risk Reduction Policy Subsystem in Mozambique
Open this publication in new window or tab >>A Stakeholder Analysis of the Disaster Risk Reduction Policy Subsystem in Mozambique
2014 (English)In: Risk, Hazards & Crisis in Public Policy, ISSN 1944-4079, E-ISSN 1944-4079, Vol. 5, no 1, p. 38-58Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and magnitude of climate related hazards inmany countries. Due to this, disaster risk reduction (DRR) policy has gained a lot of attention inrecent years. DRR policies address complex problems that require inputs from a variety ofstakeholders and hence a multi-stakeholder approach has been advocated widely. However, thepractice of DRR policymaking is challenging and therefore new tools are needed to better understandthe political context of DRR policymaking. This article utilizes an Advocacy Coalition Framework(ACF) approach to describe the political context of the DRR policy subsystem in Mozambique.Through a stakeholder analysis, the article seeks to empirically define subsystem boundaries and toidentify belief systems and key actors therein. The results indicate that the actors can be divided intotwo advocacy coalitions, formed around extant approaches to DRR: disaster management anddevelopment. The article concludes with reflections on the applicability of an ACF approach tostakeholder analysis and as a tool for understanding policy disputes and coordination challenges incomplex settings, such as DRR governance.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
John Wiley & Sons, 2014
Keywords
risk policy and management, disaster risk reduction, advocacy coalition framework, stakeholder analysis, Mozambique
National Category
Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Research subject
Risk and Environmental Studies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-33723 (URN)10.1002/rhc3.12048 (DOI)
Available from: 2014-09-17 Created: 2014-09-17 Last updated: 2019-07-10Bibliographically approved
3. Round and Round We Go: the effects of staff turnover on disaster risk governance
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Round and Round We Go: the effects of staff turnover on disaster risk governance
(English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
National Category
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-69141 (URN)
Available from: 2018-09-09 Created: 2018-09-09 Last updated: 2018-10-08Bibliographically approved
4. Whose Voice Do We Hear?: Obstacles to multi-stakeholder and multi-level disaster risk governance in Mozambique
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Whose Voice Do We Hear?: Obstacles to multi-stakeholder and multi-level disaster risk governance in Mozambique
(English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
National Category
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Research subject
Risk and Environmental Studies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-69143 (URN)
Available from: 2018-09-09 Created: 2018-09-09 Last updated: 2018-10-02Bibliographically approved

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Koivisto, Jenni

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