Disaster Risk Reduction Exploratory Design Research

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is the concept and practice of reducing disaster risk through systematic efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. However, in fragile and conflict affected states (FCAS), there is an absence of effective approaches to DRR in agro-pastoral communities. This gap leads to increased community vulnerability and promotes a cycle of environmental degradation, poverty, and conflict.

There are critical problems causing the absence of effective DRR in agro-pastoral communities, which stem from barriers in both national and global enabling environments. At the national level, DRR is not comprehensively implemented in agro-pastoral communities and, where it is implemented, approaches are often ineffective and even maladaptive. At the global level, traditional donors are rarely funding DRR in conflict affected countries, and where they are, the funding is not effectively reaching agro-pastoral communities. Existing humanitarian solutions are few and have not addressed the root causes of the problem primarily due to issues of access, conflict-sensitivity, and inability to identify sustainable pathways to scale.

The Airbel Impact Lab and IRC’s Afghanistan and Somalia Country Teams, in coordination with farmers and local stakeholders, are currently conducting exploratory human-centered design research as a first step to generate, test, and scale DRR solutions for agro-pastoral communities in countries facing co-occurring climate and conflict crises. The aim of this research is to integrate local, indigenous and traditional knowledge (LITK) with emerging technology to promote holistic and adaptable DRR solutions that span preparation, response and recovery under dynamic climatic and conflict conditions. We are launching this research in Afghanistan and Somalia, given the large proportion of humanitarian need and significant impact of disasters within rural locations in both countries.

	Afghanistan	Somalia
Global ranking of humanitarian crisis and disaster risk	3rd highest in the world	2nd highest in the world
Global ranking of climate vulnerability	6th highest in the world	7th highest in the world
Number of people affected by disaster	1.4M people annually since 2000	1.5M people annually since 2000
Number of people facing severe food insecurity (IPC level 3 or higher)	14.2M people	4M people

Together, IRC’s innovation, country, and technical teams are generating a bank of very early solution ideas, previewed below, which we plan to refine and expand in the year ahead through consultations with farmers and local stakeholders in agro-pastoral communities in both countries. For a more complete overview of the challenges our clients are facing in both countries, our strategic approach and design process, and the below solution ideas, please see our case study linked in the Resources below: “Blending Tradition and Modernity for Disaster Risk Reduction at the Epicenter of Crisis: The Case of Afghanistan and Somalia.”

Solution Idea 1: Technological interpretation of LITK and elders’ observations*

(*also a process to be integrated into other solutions)

What it solves for

LITK observations of weather and climate changes are highly localized and not compiled and analyzed in real time to supplement technological predictions and analysis.

How it works

Designated holders of LITK document their observations and predictions which are sent to a tech hub to be compiled, analyzed, and cross-referenced with remote imaging by a technological system. This more acute and localized data is then relayed back to communities and/or integrated into disaster response actions.

Solution Idea 2: Pastureland management through remote sensing and alternative fodder use

What it solves for

Current approaches to pasture rotation and cultivation of cover shrubs and trees are leading to degradation of pastoral land and inadequate fodder for livestock. This is further exacerbated by conflict and extreme climate events such as drought and landslides.

How it works

Accessible pastureland is assessed through remote sensing, discounting areas where the land is degraded or inaccessible due to insecurity, and using forecasting to monitor vegetation (pasture) dynamics. In cases where pastureland is not anticipated to support livestock needs, communities are alerted to switch to or supplement grazing with alternative fodders, such as hydroponic fodder which pastoralists are supported to produce.

Solution Idea 3: Integration of DRR into culture

What it solves for

Loss of LITK DRR practices due to poor inter-generational knowledge transfer and migration resulting in inadequate preparation and response.

How it works

Community keepers of LITK, cultural leaders, and youth groups collaborate to integrate indigenous knowledge into cultural practices, celebrations, artifacts, and modern cultural touchpoints for youth. This provides an additional pathway for knowledge-sharing, pre-positioning communities to act on DRR rules of thumb and effective practices when they are needed.

Solution Idea 4: Smart triggers for drought action

What it solves for

Loss of harvest and resources due to poor forecasting of drought conditions and ineffective, poorly timed responses.

How it works

When drought is predicted through remote sensing and LITK analyses, communities are prompted to take collaboratively pre-determined actions based on the risk type, available response time, and cost-efficiency. Communities invest in costly crop protection measures, like natural biostimulant sprays, water reservoirs, or seed priming, only if an algorithm deems it the most cost-effective action. Cost-effectiveness is assessed through community preferences, social identity considerations, market prices, and other stakeholder-identified factors.

Solution Idea 5: Forests for families

What it solves for

Frequent landslides and floods, insufficient and/or uncoordinated watershed management.

How it works

Strategic cultivation and management of forests, like pistachio forests in Afghanistan, are crucial for watershed management, absorbing excess water and stabilizing land. Technology identifies optimal planting locations and supplemental measures for watershed management. Families in the program receive saplings and plant the forests. Harvested pistachio nuts are certified as climate-smart and sold at a premium in western markets to offset forestry costs.

Solution Idea 6: Rehabilitation of traditional water infrastructure

What it solves for

Scarcity of water and poor water storage and distribution during prolonged dry periods (drought), overexertion of groundwater resources by farmers and livestock, and inefficient water use and watershed management.

How it works

Rehabilitation of traditional water intakes and distribution canals is prioritized based on precise watershed production and human/animal use calculations. Local water committees use land use maps, soil sensors, water gauges, and remote sensing to decide on infrastructure rehabilitation and construction priorities, and the targeted water storage volume. AI provides recommendations for efficient water conservation technologies, which are subsidized by DRR actors.