Papers by Kevin Blanchard
DRR Dynamics, 2024
This policy briefing underscores the vital role of engaging advocacy and NGO organisations that r... more This policy briefing underscores the vital role of engaging advocacy and NGO organisations that represent hyper-marginalised communities in disaster risk reduction (DRR) contexts. Groups such as gender and sexual minorities, indigenous populations, sex workers, refugees, and nomadic communities face unique vulnerabilities exacerbated by societal discrimination. Specialised NGOs, though not always focused on DRR, are often the only advocates for these communities, making their involvement essential for inclusive policy design. The briefing emphasises the need for policymakers to ensure representation of hyper-marginalised groups in DRR, secure sustainable funding for their advocacy, and foster strong partnerships between DRR institutions and specialised organisations to enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of disaster preparedness and response.
PLOS Currents, 2018
Introduction: Despite the large number of hazards occurring every year, it is often only the most... more Introduction: Despite the large number of hazards occurring every year, it is often only the most catastrophic and rapidly occurring hazards that are covered in detail by major news outlets. This can result in an underreporting of smaller or slowly evolving hazards such as drought. Furthermore, the type or country in which the hazard occurs may have a bearing on whether it receives media coverage. The Public Health England (PHE) global weekly hazards bulletin is designed to inform subscribers of hazards occurring in the world in a given week regardless of location or type of natural hazard. This paper will aim to examine whether the bulletin is reporting these events in a way that matches a number of international disaster databases. It will also seek to answer if biases within media outlets reporting of an event is impacting on the types of hazards and events being covered. Through the analysis of data collected, it is hoped to be able to consider the ethical implications of such a bulletin service and provide recommendations on how the service might be improved in the future. Methods: The study used a year's worth of global hazards bulletins sent by Public Health England. These bulletins aim to communicate hazards in the form of compiled articles from news outlets around the world. Data from these bulletins was collected and analysed by hazard type and the country in which hazards occurred. It was then compared to recognised hazard databases to assess similarities and differences in the hazards being reported via media or through dedicated hazard databases. The recognised hazard databases were those run by the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT), European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) respectively. Results: The PHE bulletin overall was found to be comparable to other global hazard or disaster databases in terms of hazards included by both country and type of hazard. The PHE bulletin covered a greater number of unique hazard events than the other databases and also covered more types of hazard. It also gave more frequent coverage to the United Kingdom and Canada than the other databases, with other countries Tweet Richardson T, Hayward G, Blanchard K, Murray V. An Evaluation of Global Hazard Communication with Ethical Considerations. PLOS Currents Disasters. 2018 Aug 7 . Edition 1. doi: 10.1371/currents.dis.47581b109e865f7b64d831f86a7fd7f4.
Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks, 2022
DRR Dynamics, 2024
In this addendum to the report entitled "Cultural Identity in Disaster Preparedness & Response" t... more In this addendum to the report entitled "Cultural Identity in Disaster Preparedness & Response" the author uses case studies to highlight the critical role of cultural identity and traditional knowledge in disaster preparedness and response. Building on the previous exploration of the intersection between culture and disaster management, this document presents detailed examples from the Māori community in New Zealand and the Aymara people in Bolivia. These case studies illustrate how leveraging cultural practices and traditional knowledge systems can enhance community resilience and ensure more effective disaster management.
DRR Dynamics, 2024
This report explores the intricate relationship between cultural identity and disaster preparedne... more This report explores the intricate relationship between cultural identity and disaster preparedness and response. It underscores the pivotal role that culture and identity play in shaping how communities perceive, prepare for, and respond to disasters. Through an examination of various identity factors—such as gender, race, socio-economic status, and disability—the report highlights the differential access to resources and support systems that influence vulnerability and resilience. The interplay between traditional knowledge and modern disaster management practices is emphasised, showcasing the strengths and challenges of integrating these approaches. Recommendations for incorporating cultural and identity considerations into disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies are provided, aiming to create more effective and inclusive preparedness measures. The report concludes by advocating for culturally sensitive approaches and inclusive policies to enhance community resilience and equitable disaster outcomes.
DRR Dynamics, 2024
Released as part of my series entitled "Intersectionality, marginalised groups & disasters", this... more Released as part of my series entitled "Intersectionality, marginalised groups & disasters", this first piece of research explores the intersections of unhoused people, sex workers and LGBTQIA+ populations. The report underscores the impact of intersectionality on these groups, emphasising their unique vulnerabilities and resilience as well as discussing the overlapping risks they face, often created by social, cultural and economic factors which are common to all three groups.
The report 'Unhoused people, sex workers and LGBTQIA+ populations' offers policy recommendations for inclusive disaster risk reduction policy and practice and proposes future research directions.
DRR Dynamics, 2023
This addendum to the September 2023 report entitled 'Artificial Intelligence, disasters & margina... more This addendum to the September 2023 report entitled 'Artificial Intelligence, disasters & marginalised groups' takes a more focused view on the role of AI on early warning systems and considers how marginalised and hyper-marginalised groups may be impacted by an un-checked use of AI to develop policy, strategy and implementation.
DRR Dynamics, 2021
A report & recommendations on how disaster-focused policymakers can build policy that aims to sup... more A report & recommendations on how disaster-focused policymakers can build policy that aims to support and recognise Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and other non-cisgendered & non-heterosexual (LGBTQIA+) and their specific needs and requirements in times of disaster.
DRR Dynamics, 2023
A report and recommendations on the need for policy makers and practitioners within disaster risk... more A report and recommendations on the need for policy makers and practitioners within disaster risk reduction to consider the importance of animals (livestock and assistance animals) on the ability of marginalised groups to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.
DRR Dynamics, 2023
A report providing several recommendations on how DRR professionals can better formulate and impl... more A report providing several recommendations on how DRR professionals can better formulate and implement data collection, analysis and storage and make sure that is both useful and sensitive to the specific challenges of working with hyper-marginalised communities
DRR Dynamics, 2023
This report explores how Lesbian, Gay. Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and other ... more This report explores how Lesbian, Gay. Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and other non-heterosexual and non-cis genders (LGBTQIA+) are currently considered in disaster and emergency housing provisions and provides a number of recommendations to build a more inclusive system moving forward.
DRR Dynamics, 2023
This short paper looks at the importance of ensuring inclusion and consideration of gender and se... more This short paper looks at the importance of ensuring inclusion and consideration of gender and sexual minorities in emergency and crisis management activities.
DRR Dynamics, 2023
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a formidable tool, being used across various domains,... more Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a formidable tool, being used across various domains, including Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). AI's capacity to process vast data in real-time and its innate adaptability make it instrumental in elevating the effectiveness and efficiency of DRR strategies. However, its assimilation into DRR poses certain challenges. While issues like technological unemployment, profiteering, and misuse are prevalent across sectors, a unique challenge for the DRR community is the fear that AI might inadvertently exacerbate inequalities during disasters or crises.
This briefing offers a review of AI in this very specific context (its interaction and impact on marginalised or at-risk communities in times of disaster or crisis) and does not aim to discuss AI's merits or drawbacks more generally.
Progress in Disaster Science, 2020
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2019
Disasters exact a heavy toll globally. However, the degree to which we can accurately quantify th... more Disasters exact a heavy toll globally. However, the degree to which we can accurately quantify their impact, in particular mortality, remains challenging. It is critical to ensure that disaster data reliably reflects the scale, type, and distribution of disaster impacts given the role of data in: (1) risk assessments; (2) developing disaster risk management programs; (3) determining the resources for response to emergencies; (4) the types of action undertaken in planning for prevention and preparedness; and (5) identifying research gaps. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030s seven global disaster-impact reduction targets represent the first international attempt to systematically measure the effectiveness of disaster-impact reduction as a means of better informing policy with evidence. Target A of the Sendai Framework aims to “substantially reduce global disaster mortality by 2030, aiming to lower the average per 100,000 global mortality rate in the decade 2020...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2019
The dominant discourse of gender focuses on the binary of woman/man, despite the known additional... more The dominant discourse of gender focuses on the binary of woman/man, despite the known additional risks for diverse sexualities and gender minorities in disasters. Given the small but growing body of literature concerning gender minorities in disasters, this paper sets out to explore the place of sex and gender minorities in disasters and to examine whether a binary definition needs to be extended. A five-stage rapid review was undertaken following Arksey and O’Malley’s method. Peer-reviewed journal articles in English language were sought that included disaster and gender terms in the title, abstract, and/or body of the article published between January 2015 and March 2019. The search included MEDLINE and Scopus databases. Relevant information from the studies were charted in Microsoft Excel, and results were summarized using a descriptive analytical method. In total, 728 records were identified; 248 that did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded and 166 duplicates were rem...
PLoS Currents, 2018
Introduction: To report on activities aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reducti... more Introduction: To report on activities aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, national governments will use the Sendai Monitor platform to track progress using a series of indicators that inform seven Global Targets originally agreed in 2015. In February 2017, the UN General Assembly adopted a set of 38 agreed indicators based on work led by an open-ended intergovernmental expert working group (OIEWG) on indicators and terminology relating to disaster risk reduction. In January 2018 the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction released technical guidance documents in advance of the launch of the Sendai Monitor in March 2018. Methods: This paper discusses several challenges to recording and reporting on loss data under the Sendai Framework. Additional insights to elaborate on discussion build upon commentary and examples raised during a workshop held on developing loss data that was hosted by the United Nations Office of Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) programme, and Public Health England (PHE) from February 15-17 2017 at the Royal Society in London, United Kingdom. The meeting's purpose was to refine technical guidance notes concerning Global Targets A, B, C, and D, which had been drafted in coordination with the work of the OIEWG. The workshop was attended by representatives from UN Agencies, UN Member States, international scientific bodies, academic bodies, the government of the United Kingdom and the private sector. Results: Global Targets A, B, C and D of the Sendai Framework have common and specific complexities which require acknowledgement and support in recording, reporting and using disaster loss data. Discussions during the February 2017 loss data workshop highlighted a number of complexities and the need for common standards and principles for loss data. Individual target complexities include attribution of health impacts, assessing impacts, consistently calculating economic losses and measuring disruption to critical infrastructure. Discussion: Transparent monitoring is critical to ensure political will, financial efforts and effective evidence support the global shift towards more sustainable development. Data involves common challenges which can undermine accuracy and understanding of reporting across the frameworks that outline the United Nations' 2030 Agenda. Disaster loss data adds further challenges which require support and innovation to ensure stakeholders across sectors in all sectors have appropriate technical guidance that can support useful loss data management processes. The February 2017 workshop highlighted systemic challenges with working with loss data and highlighted several pertinent pathways to progress on the breadth and reliability of disaster loss data across different settings.
PLoS Currents, 2018
Introduction: Despite the large number of hazards occurring every year, it is often only the most... more Introduction: Despite the large number of hazards occurring every year, it is often only the most catastrophic and rapidly occurring hazards that are covered in detail by major news outlets. This can result in an underreporting of smaller or slowly evolving hazards such as drought. Furthermore, the type or country in which the hazard occurs may have a bearing on whether it receives media coverage. The Public Health England (PHE) global weekly hazards bulletin is designed to inform subscribers of hazards occurring in the world in a given week regardless of location or type of natural hazard. This paper will aim to examine whether the bulletin is reporting these events in a way that matches a number of international disaster databases. It will also seek to answer if biases within media outlets reporting of an event is impacting on the types of hazards and events being covered. Through the analysis of data collected, it is hoped to be able to consider the ethical implications of such a bulletin service and provide recommendations on how the service might be improved in the future. Methods: The study used a year's worth of global hazards bulletins sent by Public Health England. These bulletins aim to communicate hazards in the form of compiled articles from news outlets around the world. Data from these bulletins was collected and analysed by hazard type and the country in which hazards occurred. It was then compared to recognised hazard databases to assess similarities and differences in the hazards being reported via media or through dedicated hazard databases. The recognised hazard databases were those run by the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT), European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) respectively. Results: The PHE bulletin overall was found to be comparable to other global hazard or disaster databases in terms of hazards included by both country and type of hazard. The PHE bulletin covered a greater number of unique hazard events than the other databases and also covered more types of hazard. It also gave more frequent coverage to the United Kingdom and Canada than the other databases, with other countries Tweet
International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2015
This article explores the role of public health systems before, during, and after disasters, part... more This article explores the role of public health systems before, during, and after disasters, particularly within the scope of the United Nations Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. It also examines the role of scientific and technological developments in assisting with improving the resilience of public health professionals and the communities they work in. In addition, it explores how the wide-ranging activities in public health have already contributed to the improved management of disasters and a decrease in associated risks. The article identifies areas of synergy in five key areas of recent policy and practice in public health (the health systems approach, risk assessments, the WHO/UNISDR/HPA Disaster Risk Management fact sheets, chronic disease and disasters, and mental health impacts following disasters) and makes suggestions based on lessons identified from the previous (2005) global disaster risk reduction framework. In particular, we advocate the use of scientific evidence that addresses health and disaster risk simultaneously to increase the effectiveness of policy and practice in disaster risk reduction, health, and public health.
Palgrave Communications, 2016
The recently adopted United Nations' Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 has a ... more The recently adopted United Nations' Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 has a much greater emphasis on science compared with other global policy frameworks. It builds on the idea that science and evidence are essential for effective policy-making to improve lives, livelihoods and health. It was the first UN landmark agreement of the year 2015, the other two being the Sustainable Development Goals (agreed September 2015) and the Climate Change Agreements (agreed December 2015). This article explores key synergies across these agreements that are articulated in the Sendai Framework to support joint policy-making. The article outlines the opportunities and challenges for scientific research and its translation into policy and practice; proposes scientific activities for developing Disaster Risk Reduction science, and makes suggestions for how to take these forward into the 2015-2030 period. This article is published as part of a thematic collection dedicated to scientific advice to governments.
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Papers by Kevin Blanchard
The report 'Unhoused people, sex workers and LGBTQIA+ populations' offers policy recommendations for inclusive disaster risk reduction policy and practice and proposes future research directions.
This briefing offers a review of AI in this very specific context (its interaction and impact on marginalised or at-risk communities in times of disaster or crisis) and does not aim to discuss AI's merits or drawbacks more generally.
The report 'Unhoused people, sex workers and LGBTQIA+ populations' offers policy recommendations for inclusive disaster risk reduction policy and practice and proposes future research directions.
This briefing offers a review of AI in this very specific context (its interaction and impact on marginalised or at-risk communities in times of disaster or crisis) and does not aim to discuss AI's merits or drawbacks more generally.