Community engagement

One of the fundamental shifts that has occurred in disaster management over recent decades has been a change in emphasis from an almost complete focus on response agencies toward a more holistic approach that involves all aspects of community working in partnership to achieve improved whole-of-community outcomes. This greater involvement of the community directly permeates all aspects of disaster management throughout the prevention, preparedness, response, recovery (PPRR) continuum. The concepts that unpin this chapter are derived from those of disaster resilience, and building a resilient community through engagement. Community engagement is important as it enhances resilience and long-term sustainability of the community by building trust and sharing the knowledge, experience, decision-making and burden among the citizens and authorities