A local perspective of progress towards implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action
Views from the Frontline is now the largest independent global review of disaster risk conducted entirely at the local level.
The project began in 2009 with the aim of providing an alternative to top-down disaster risk reduction monitoring. Our aim was to complement national-level reporting for the Hyogo Framework for Action – the predecessor to the Sendai Framework, the international agreement to protect development gains from the risk of disaster.
Our 2009 surveys involved over 7,000 people from 48 countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas. Our analysis, detailed in this report, showed that nationally‐formulated policies were not generating widespread systemic changes in local-level practices.
Scarce resources were identified as one of the main constraints to progress in disaster risk reduction in many locations. Part of the challenge is that existing local level resources are untapped. The key to unlocking these is through adopting participatory approaches. Civil society, particularly grassroots women’s groups, can play a critical role in facilitating community engagement – and the productive use of local resources.