“Clouds but little rain…”

Views from the Frontline

A local perspective of progress towards 

implementation of the Hyogo Framework for 

Action 

2009.08.14

Introducing Views from the Frontline

Led by Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for Disaster 

Risk Reduction 

Designed to support and complement the UNISDR-coordinated 

biannual monitoring and review process with governments 

Over 7000 local government officials, civil society organizations 

and community representatives from 48 countries participated

33 participating countries were selected for the main survey. Two 

additional surveys were conducted on women’s and children’s 

views from 15 countries 

Over 400 organizations directly involved in data collection 

Objectives of the VFL

To provide an overview of HFA progress at the local level

To strengthen public accountability for DRR policy 

execution by establishing a local level monitoring system 

and relevant baselines 

To enhance civil society monitoring, research, analytical 

and advocacy capabilities

To increase dialogue and understanding between different 

groups responsible for reducing disaster risk 

Methodology and approach

The VFL consisted of two elements 

-The Research element 
-The Learning element 

The indicator matrix was modeled based on five 

priorities for action of the HFA (similar to UNISDR 

assessment system)
A common survey method was designed to ensure the 

quality and cross-country comparability

Methodology and approach  

Cont..

Responses to the closed questions followed a five-point scale, 

providing an indication of progress:

1 = No, not at all 

2 = To a very limited extent

3 = Some activity but significant scope for improvements

4 = Yes, but with some limitations in capacities and resources

5 = Yes, with satisfactory, sustainable and effective measures in 

place

This was similar to the scale that was employed by the UNISDR 

in its national assessment

Colour-code was used to present the findings

Key Results 

Nationally formulated DRR policies and plans are not

• generating widespread systemic change in local 

practices, and importantly,

• engaging vulnerable and marginalised people as vital 

and active partners in building disaster resilient 

communities 

Positive progress reported at the national level fades out the 

closer one gets to at-risk communities where impact is at 

best limited and patchy and at worst not happening at all

Key findings 

Different perceptions of progress towards HFA priorities for Actions 

as reported by VFL and GAR

Key findings 

HFA implementation as reported by VFL respondent groups in 

33 participating countries 

Key findings 

A breakdown of different responses to HFA progress showing the ‘fading-out’ of 

perceptions of progress from national level to communities ‘at-risk’

Map of VFL coverage and scores 

1.

Nationally-formulated policies are not generating 

widespread systemic changes in local practices

2.

Imbalanced bottom-up engagement to put top-down 

policy into practice

3.

Resources are scarce and considered a main constraints 

while  untapped resources available  at  local level

4.

Climate change impacts observed at local level seems an 

opportunity for commitment to DRR 

5.

VFL 2009; first step towards building a global 

constituency and architecture to measure effectiveness of 

DRR policy interventions at the local level.

Core conclusions   

Recommendations    

1. Proactive and systematic deepening of engagement with at-risk 

communities, including having adequate strategies and space 

participation of most vulnerable groups

• Undertake participatory local hazard-vulnerability 

assessments and associated risk mapping as strategic entry 

points to raising critical awareness and understanding of 

risk and to building relationships among different actors

• Use local knowledge including disaster risk, to inform local 

programming and action planning of principal development 

sectors; risk considerations should become routine in all 

development investment planning and programming.

•

Recommendations    

• Decentralise authority and resources to appropriate 

administrative level in support of local multi-stakeholder 

partnerships (including equitable representation from most 

vulnerable); to coordinate and manage risk reduction, 

poverty alleviation, development and climate adaptation 

policy execution

• Develop innovative financial strategies for supporting local 

level initiatives and partnerships, including direct local level

access to disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation 

trust funds and technical resources

Recommendations    

2. Reform the humanitarian response system, to be engaging 

with and strengthening local preparedness and 

response/recovery capacities, and to plan interventions based 

on assessments of people’s own perceived priority needs in 

relation to their capacities and vulnerabilities.

3. Coordination and Knowledge Sharing; networking at all levels 

to improve the exchange of good practice and learning, 

promote civil society harmonisation and coordination, and 

foster dialogue collaboration between state and non-state 

actors. 

4. Review VFL ahead of Global Platform-DRR 2011:

• extend VFL’s geographical coverage 

• modify indicator metrics to incorporate climate adaptation 

characteristics 

Moving forward    

Series of regional and global learning reviews with network 

members to learn from the VFL pilot experience; drawing 

out recommendations for the future

Further country consultations and thematic analysis to 

critique findings and draw out policy implications at 

national and regional levels

Considering the findings of the survey, ensure the 

integration of the VFL process into the country level 

assessment system (make it a part of the formal 

process)

indicators should be localized based on the country 

context keeping the overall framework

Adapt indicators to incorporate climate adaptation

considerations

Moving forward    

Extend review within participating countries and 

geographically expand into more countries ahead of Global 

Platform-DRR 2011 – VFL to serve as an independent periodic 

audit of progress towards risk reduction

Form strategic alliances with relevant networks and 

coalitions in support of extending coverage and building a 

broad-based constituency active in risk reduction and 

climate adaptation

Develop links with respected academic institutions to 

strengthen policy – practice – research linkages

Research social networking innovations as means to engage 

and foster active citizenry, raise critical awareness, build social 

demand and strengthen public accountability for risk reduction

Establish multi-donor trust fund to support the development 

of VFL

Thank you !