Integrated practices in the face of disasters and epidemics
Agir face aux catastrophes aux épidémies : transposition et complémentarité des approches intégrées entre prévention des risques, préparation et gestion de crise
Studying the links between disaster risk reduction and global epidemic management
The research project consists of carrying out a state of the art and a documentary analysis to understand to what extent integrated approaches, encouraged and developed within the framework of integrated disaster management, are present or can be considered in the management of epidemics and pandemics. After conducting a literature review on disaster risk reduction (DRR), epidemic management, and their interrelationships, we will study several projects carried out by humanitarian operators, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea and Cameroon. The approach we propose is essentially qualitative and exploratory: it does not aim to systematically and exhaustively identify possible collaborations and synergies between DRR and epidemic management, but to understand their broad outlines. We seek to map the main links between DRR and global epidemic management, both academically and institutionally. To what extent do multi-risk approaches already exist? Are there spaces for collaboration, or even for the transfer of practices between these professionals? What are the overlaps and divergences between these practices?
The challenge of the research is to understand to what extent integrated approaches are present or can be considered in the management of epidemics and pandemics. To do this, we will need to precisely qualify which existing dimensions are likely to be integrated. It is not only the activity of pandemic crisis management operators that we need to be interested in, but also their links with health risk management infrastructures, their prevention and control, in their daily and regular dimensions. To do this, we also need to qualify the possible components of an “epidemic prevention” approach. Our investigation will mainly analyze the systems, practices and concrete experiences of epidemic and disaster management, to understand how they are likely to go beyond silos, both between risk and crisis and between epidemics and the more classic “natural” disaster.
Strengthening the capacities of local actors in the face of epidemic risks
The research aims to contribute to the RIPOSTE program led by the French Red Cross (Development of community mobilization tools and awareness raising on epidemic risks: adaptation of the Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment tools). Its objective is to strengthen the capacities of local actors in the face of epidemic risks. The research conducted in the form of a literature and documentary review will contribute to this by identifying experiences, as well as good practices for transfers and complementarities between disaster risk reduction and epidemics. We will also explain the terms and concepts used in these different professional fields, in order to facilitate exchanges. In doing so, we seek to provide an explanation of the common language, as well as reading grids to facilitate dialogue and exchanges.
Contribute to the literature on disaster risk reduction
Integrated approaches to disaster risk reduction now offer multi-risk approaches to consider combinations between hazards and interactions between risks. Above all, they make it possible to consider the complementarities and, between risk prevention and crisis management, which very often constitute systems of different actors, instruments, and expertise. However, epidemics constitute a separate and very distinct field of expertise, tools, and practices – even though, for crisis managers, pandemics do not really appear very different from so-called “natural” disasters. If they involve other actors and systems (vaccination, etc.), they mobilize the same donors, and are based on the same rationality. The challenge is therefore to begin thinking about the possible transposabilities and complementarities between integrated approaches to disaster risk reduction and epidemics.
Biography
Holder of a thesis in geography entitled “Living with? Emergence and challenges of integrated practices to deal with risks and crises locally”, Cassandre Rey-Thibault studied the modalities of articulation of the actors, systems, and practices implemented in urban spaces to prevent and anticipate disasters in French agglomerations. She explores the intersections between risk prevention and crisis management practices in the face of various situations, such as marine submersions, technological accidents, or epidemics.