An integrated governance framework to map out and act on the interrelationships between human mobility and disaster risk

In modern complex societies with profoundly interlinked sectors and sub-sectors, policymakers and scholars need to adopt systemic thinking as an analytical lens for mapping the intersections and interdependencies between social systems and their related vulnerabilities. This paper argues for an integrated governance approach to manage the risks and opportunities arising from the interactions between human mobility (HM) and disaster risk (DR). The analysis of HM and DR governance frameworks at the international and national levels (including through the case study lens of Bangladesh) shows that some progress has been made in integrating aspects of HM into DR governance and vice versa. Although respective frameworks have been integrated to a certain extent, further points of convergence and overlap still need to be adequately addressed. The policy integration process can be guided and facilitated by combining two conceptual frameworks originating in the HM and DR governance fields: the human mobilities perspective and the systemic risk approach. The paper concludes by proposing an HM-DR governance framework informed by these perspectives and steered by an interagency standing committee.

Automated summary

This paper argues for the adoption of systemic thinking in analyzing the intersections and interdependencies between different social systems in modern society. By analyzing governance frameworks for human mobility and disaster risk at international and national levels, the paper proposes an integrated governance approach. Although progress has been made in integrating the frameworks, some issues still need to be addressed.