Papers by Manuela Fernández
Conclusions: Linking Sustainable Development, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation, and Migration—Policy Implications and Outlook
Introduction: Exploring Linkages Between Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation, Migration and Sustainable Development
The goal of this book is to explore inter-linkages between disasters, migration, climate change a... more The goal of this book is to explore inter-linkages between disasters, migration, climate change and sustainable development from a number of different geographical, social and natural science angles. It is being published at a time when these topics are continuously making headlines and are subject to extensive debates and policy dialogues. The media, academia and governments are asking questions about the extent to which climate change and disasters are main drivers of migration, whether certain types of migration are causing environmental degradation and how to best facilitate human mobility that leads to positive outcomes in both the place of destination and place of origin. This book takes disaster risk reduction (DRR) as the point of departure for addressing many of the above questions and by doing so, offers a more comprehensive platform, as mobility choices are part of complex household-level livelihoods strategies to minimize risks and optimize economic, social, political gains. While not attempting to take an exhaustive, textbook approach to these topics, this book covers a myriad of aspects by authors from both South and North and from various disciplines, whether social or natural science, yet all touching upon inter-linkages between DRR, migration, climate change and sustainable development.
Los gestores de riesgos, a partir de su propia evaluación, decidieron responder de una manera que... more Los gestores de riesgos, a partir de su propia evaluación, decidieron responder de una manera que no corresponde a los intereses de la población afectada. Las comunidades locales evaluaron la situación de riesgo de desastres y establecieron otra solución a partir de una concepción diferente de riesgo. Este trabajo examina las respuestas aportadas al deslizamiento de terreno por los gestores y las comunidades. Estos conflictos sociales y la competencia entre los diferentes actores del territorio, por la definición de prioridades y de soluciones para la gestión del riesgo, revelan aspectos subyacentes de la sociedad, útiles para comprender qué constituye el riesgo y el desastre en un contexto dado. El conflicto pone en evidencia la confrontación de saberes y la tensión que puede existir entre los diferentes enfoques del riesgo. Asimismo, el conflicto muestra que el riesgo de desastres no es unívoco sino un concepto complejo y holístico, constituido por un gran conjunto de componentes.
Desde un enfoque donde el riesgo de desastre se considera como un fenómeno socialmente construido (las vulnerabilidades son generadas históricamente por la suma de procesos sociales, políticos, económicos e históricos) este documento evalúa otros modos de interpretación, de tratamiento y de intervención que pueden ayudar a mejorar los métodos de evaluación y de gestión de riesgos.
Por último, el trabajo plantea un enfoque integrador para los tomadores de decisiones que necesitan encontrar un compromiso entre las diferentes concepciones del riesgo con el fin de obtener una solución aceptable para todos los actores involucrados.
Abstracts by Manuela Fernández
La géographie et plus largement les sciences du territoire sont confrontées de plus en plus à des... more La géographie et plus largement les sciences du territoire sont confrontées de plus en plus à des objets d'études qui bénéficient d'une approche combinant les disciplines et les savoirs. Avec la montée en puissance de la question environnementale, l'exigence
This paper analyses a post-disaster case study from San Cristobal, Guatemala where a large landsl... more This paper analyses a post-disaster case study from San Cristobal, Guatemala where a large landslide named "Los Chorros (6 millions cubic meters of rock) affects several communities and one of the country's main west-east access highways. Risk managers, starting from their
CRET Centro de investigación del ambiente terrestre, Universidad de Lausanne, Suiza
This paper describes the interdisciplinary work done in Uspantán, Guatemala, a city vulnerable to... more This paper describes the interdisciplinary work done in Uspantán, Guatemala, a city vulnerable to natural hazards. We investigated local responses to landslides that happened in 2007 and 2010 and had a strong impact on the local community. We show a complete example of a systemic approach that incorporates physical, social and environmental aspects in order to understand risks. The objective of this work is to present the combination of social and geological data (mapping), and describe the methodology used for identification and assessment of risk. The article discusses both the limitations and methodological challenges encountered when conducting interdisciplinary research.
500 words max): 1 18--19 November 2014 l Padua, Italy Cristobal Altaverapaz. By studying the logi... more 500 words max): 1 18--19 November 2014 l Padua, Italy Cristobal Altaverapaz. By studying the logic of action of actors who mobilize to establish a solution, it proposes an approach for policy experts, that finds compromise between different conceptions of risk and the appropriate responses in order to obtain a solution acceptable to all those involved. It further argues that experts must not persist in their own conception of the problem, but must work from a position of recognising the interests of others in order to produce such a solution. Such an integrative approach may require the abandonment of certain criteria and the incorporation of others in order to reach consensus. In this sense, the challenge for managers of natural hazards is to move from risk management in the strict sense, which focuses mainly on hazards only, to a broader risks management, taking into consideration what is important for society and for the functioning of systems. This balanced approach to risk management will engage all stakeholders to evaluate risk priorities and determine the contextually appropriate risk management strategy.]
In developing countries, mountain populations and territories are subject to multiple risks and v... more In developing countries, mountain populations and territories are subject to multiple risks and vulnerabilities. In addition, they face even greater challenges than developed countries due to lack of knowledge, resources and technology. There are many different types of actors in society that manage risk at various scales and levels (i.e. engineers, geologists, administrators, land use planners, merchants and local indigenous and non-indigenous people). Because of limited resources and possibilities to reduce all types of risk, these different actors, or 'risk managers' have to choose and compete to prioritize which types of risks to address. This paper addresses a case study from San Cristobal Altaverapaz, Guatemala where a large landslide "Los Chorros", a catastrophic collapse of 6 millions cubic meters of rock, is affecting several communities and one of the country's main west-east access highways. In this case, the government established that the "primary" risk is the landslide, whereas other local stakeholders consider the primary risks to be economic This paper, situated at the cross section between political science, geography and disaster risk management, addresses the social conflict and competition for priorities and solutions for risk management, depending on the group of actors based on the on-going Los Chorros, Guatemala landslide mitigation process. This work is based on the analysis of practices, (Practical Science), policies and institutions in order to understand how the inclusion of multiple stakeholders in determining risk priorities can lead to more sustainable risk management in a given territory. The main objective of this investigation is first to identify and understand the juxtaposition of different readings of the risk equation, usually considered the interface between vulnerability, exposure and hazards. Secondly, it is to analyze the mechanisms of actions taken by various stakeholders, or risk managers. The analysis focuses on the various solutions proposed for reducing vulnerabilities (and consequentially their risks). To resolve a post-disaster situation, the actors prioritize one main type of vulnerability to address a set of vulnerabilities (in a multi-vulnerability context). With this choice, they define their own acceptable risk limits and the type of action that is most relevant. In doing so, they have to determine what elements can be changed and improved and which elements must be considered essential and preserved or the priority variables. These may include: equipment, production facilities, networks, services, modes of production and organizations, etc. or various economic and social capitals upon which individuals and groups rely for recovering from a post-disaster situation. Depending on the actor, certain factors will be will be emphasized over others and these may change over time. Linked with this political, institutional and geographical analysis of risk management, this work also questions who are the legitimate actors and the right criteria to prioritize risk reduction actions using public funds criteria and finally, which motivations are satisfied. In this sense, the challenge for managers of natural hazards is to move from risk management in the strict sense, which focuses mainly on hazards only, to a broader risks management, taking into consideration what is important for society and for the functioning of systems (what have not be vulnerable in a territorial system). In a context where risk and risk management is produced and managed by both formal and informal stakeholders, the main issue is how to engage the various stakeholders and evaluate different priorities of risk in order to determine which actions are best suited for a more balanced approach to risk management. This case study demonstrates that reducing landslide risk is subject to interpretation depending on the stakeholder and the result of priorities, providing on the role of each actor, their needs and range of action with a territory.
The territorial approach in risk analysis is well established in scientific communications in rec... more The territorial approach in risk analysis is well established in scientific communications in recent years, especially in the francophone literature. It is an especially appropriate approach for exploring a large number of criteria and factors influencing, on the territory, the composition of the vulnerabilities and risks. In these sense, this approach is appropriate to identify not only risks due to natural hazards but also social and environmental risks. Our case study explores the catastrophic landslide, a collapse of 6 millions cubic meters of rock in Los Chorros, in the municipality of San Cristobal Verapaz-Guatemala, in January 2009. We demonstrate that the same natural hazard has different consequences within this territory and may also increase or even create new vulnerabilities and risks for the population. The analysis shows that the same event can endanger various aspects of the territory: resources, functions (agriculture, or houses uses for example) and allocations and highlights the different types of vulnerabilities that land users (i.e. farmers, merchants transport drivers) face. To resolve a post-disaster situation, the actors choose one vulnerability among a set of vulnerabilities (in a multi-vulnerability context) and with this choice they define their own acceptable risk limits. To give an example, the transport driver choose to reduce the economic vulnerability when going to the local market and crossing the landslide (physical vulnerability). In the context of a developing country with weak development and limited resources, land users that become the Risk managers after the disaster are compelled to prioritize between different actions for reducing risks This study provides a novel approach to risk management by adding a political science and geography dimension through the territory approach for improving our understanding of multi-hazard and multi-risk management. Based on findings from this case study, this work asserts that risk is not unequivocal. On the contrary, in the case of the Los Chorros, the "primary" risk (the landslide), as evaluated by the authorities, was not perceived as such by the local community, which prioritized economic risks by creating their own road through the landslide area in defiance of authorities. In other words, certain attributes and characteristics of risk will be emphasized by some actors over others, (i.e. economic considerations over the perceived probability of another landslide). Their priorities will depend on their needs and mandates and as priorities change, so individual definitions of risk may change over time. This paper demonstrates that the risk is not uniform, that multiple risks persist especially in a developing country context becomes diffuse, changes or endures because it depends on the implications on the territory and on the risk definition made by the actors. The risk is variable, the result of a choice because its existence is attributed by the characteristics or criteria of vulnerability fostered by actors in their territories. Finally, the case study demonstrates that in developing countries, actors are forced to address and prioritize multiple risks due to limited resources. In this context, the challenge for managers of natural hazards is to move from risk management in the strict sense (i.e. pure hazard approach) to a broader risk management, taking into consideration what is important for the society and for the functioning of systems. Territory management in this sense is an appropriate approach for taking into account multiple stakeholder priorities, their relationships, available resources and limitations.
Conference Presentations by Manuela Fernández
Video conference & Press by Manuela Fernández
Books by Manuela Fernández
For every dollar invested in IUCN?s support of Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) processes inGu... more For every dollar invested in IUCN?s support of Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) processes inGuatemala during the period 2012-2016, an expected return on investment in 35 years of US$ 56 wascalculated using a cost-benefit calculation modified to recognise theuncertainty inherent in many social investments. A participatory,evidence-based expert workshop was run with Guatemala?s National ForestLandscape Restoration Roundtable to quantifycontributions to Guatemala?s FLR policyprocesses in the period 2012-2016 culminating in the PROBOSQUE law. IUCN?soverall contribution to Guatemala?s FLR policy processes in this period was12%. The most significant contribution came from Government (45%), while FAO(11%) and the private sector (5%) were also well represented. Other actors,including the Association of Non-Government Organizations for the Environmentand Natural Resources of Guatemala, and academia accounted for 27%.
The IUCN-supported Restoration Opportunity AssessmentMethodology was used to calculate the potential benefits of landscaperestoration in Guatemala with and without PROBOSQUE incentives. Using theavailable PROBOSQUE budget for incentives as the factor limiting restorationuptake, the marginal net present value of landscape restoration in Guatemala isUS$ 712,052,318 over a 35 year period with a 12% discount rate. IUCNFLR-related costs in Guatemala over the period 2012-2016 total US$ 1,537,134when adjusted for inflation. IUCN?s contribution typology to Guatemala?s FLR policyformulation processes was identified as Convening (31%), Technical support(25%), and Funding (20%). Advocacy and Political leadership were lesssignificant contributions. The IUCN contribution typology is different fromother actors assessed, and adds evidence to the hypothesis that IUCN used itsunique combination of linkage to members, knowledge brokering, technicalanalysis and convening attributes to play a critical role in the developmentand growth of FLR.
The value for money approach used is exploratory, containsimportant assumptions, and the final estimated return on investment value ofUS$ 56 should be interpreted with caution. Within identified uncertaintyparameters and the limitations of the EROI model used however, the authors areconfident in the findings that IUCN?s work in Guatemala delivered value, sinceeven after discounting; the estimated return greatly exceeded the investment.
Catastrophes et interdisciplinarité, 2017
Fernández, M. and Matasci, B. (2017) “ L'identification et l'analyse des risques depuis une persp... more Fernández, M. and Matasci, B. (2017) “ L'identification et l'analyse des risques depuis une perspective interdisciplinaire: avantages, enjeux et défis. Le cas de Uspantán, Guatemala », in Garcia Acosta, V. and Musset, A. (Eds) Catastrophes et interdisciplinarité, IAP (Investigations d´Anthropologie Prospective) et Academia-L´Harmattan n° 15. ISBN : 978-2-8061-0367-3, pp. 155-174
Addresses the nexus between migration, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction wit... more Addresses the nexus between migration, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction within the context of sustainable development ▶ Provides a systematic discussion of differential risk processes and outcomes for mobile and non-mobile populations affected by the population movements ▶ Discusses how to shape disaster risk reduction policies that are more effective considering migration challenges The goal of this book is to explore disaster risk reduction (DRR), migration, climate change adaptation (CCA) and sustainable development linkages from a number of different geographical, social and natural science angles. Well-known scientists and practitioners present different perspectives regarding these inter-linkages from around the world, with theoretical discussions as well as field observations. This publication contributes in particular to the discussion on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015-2030 and the debate about how to improve DRR, including CCA, policies and practices, taking into account migration processes from a large perspective where both natural and social factors are crucial and mutually " alloyed ". Some authors see the SFDRR as a positive step forward in terms of embracing a multitude of issues, others doubting that the agreement will lead to much concrete action toward real action on the ground. This book is a timely contribution for researchers, students and policy makers in the fields of environment, human geography, migration, disaster and climate change studies who seek a more comprehensive grasp of contemporary development issues.
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Papers by Manuela Fernández
Desde un enfoque donde el riesgo de desastre se considera como un fenómeno socialmente construido (las vulnerabilidades son generadas históricamente por la suma de procesos sociales, políticos, económicos e históricos) este documento evalúa otros modos de interpretación, de tratamiento y de intervención que pueden ayudar a mejorar los métodos de evaluación y de gestión de riesgos.
Por último, el trabajo plantea un enfoque integrador para los tomadores de decisiones que necesitan encontrar un compromiso entre las diferentes concepciones del riesgo con el fin de obtener una solución aceptable para todos los actores involucrados.
Abstracts by Manuela Fernández
Conference Presentations by Manuela Fernández
Video conference & Press by Manuela Fernández
Books by Manuela Fernández
The IUCN-supported Restoration Opportunity AssessmentMethodology was used to calculate the potential benefits of landscaperestoration in Guatemala with and without PROBOSQUE incentives. Using theavailable PROBOSQUE budget for incentives as the factor limiting restorationuptake, the marginal net present value of landscape restoration in Guatemala isUS$ 712,052,318 over a 35 year period with a 12% discount rate. IUCNFLR-related costs in Guatemala over the period 2012-2016 total US$ 1,537,134when adjusted for inflation. IUCN?s contribution typology to Guatemala?s FLR policyformulation processes was identified as Convening (31%), Technical support(25%), and Funding (20%). Advocacy and Political leadership were lesssignificant contributions. The IUCN contribution typology is different fromother actors assessed, and adds evidence to the hypothesis that IUCN used itsunique combination of linkage to members, knowledge brokering, technicalanalysis and convening attributes to play a critical role in the developmentand growth of FLR.
The value for money approach used is exploratory, containsimportant assumptions, and the final estimated return on investment value ofUS$ 56 should be interpreted with caution. Within identified uncertaintyparameters and the limitations of the EROI model used however, the authors areconfident in the findings that IUCN?s work in Guatemala delivered value, sinceeven after discounting; the estimated return greatly exceeded the investment.
Desde un enfoque donde el riesgo de desastre se considera como un fenómeno socialmente construido (las vulnerabilidades son generadas históricamente por la suma de procesos sociales, políticos, económicos e históricos) este documento evalúa otros modos de interpretación, de tratamiento y de intervención que pueden ayudar a mejorar los métodos de evaluación y de gestión de riesgos.
Por último, el trabajo plantea un enfoque integrador para los tomadores de decisiones que necesitan encontrar un compromiso entre las diferentes concepciones del riesgo con el fin de obtener una solución aceptable para todos los actores involucrados.
The IUCN-supported Restoration Opportunity AssessmentMethodology was used to calculate the potential benefits of landscaperestoration in Guatemala with and without PROBOSQUE incentives. Using theavailable PROBOSQUE budget for incentives as the factor limiting restorationuptake, the marginal net present value of landscape restoration in Guatemala isUS$ 712,052,318 over a 35 year period with a 12% discount rate. IUCNFLR-related costs in Guatemala over the period 2012-2016 total US$ 1,537,134when adjusted for inflation. IUCN?s contribution typology to Guatemala?s FLR policyformulation processes was identified as Convening (31%), Technical support(25%), and Funding (20%). Advocacy and Political leadership were lesssignificant contributions. The IUCN contribution typology is different fromother actors assessed, and adds evidence to the hypothesis that IUCN used itsunique combination of linkage to members, knowledge brokering, technicalanalysis and convening attributes to play a critical role in the developmentand growth of FLR.
The value for money approach used is exploratory, containsimportant assumptions, and the final estimated return on investment value ofUS$ 56 should be interpreted with caution. Within identified uncertaintyparameters and the limitations of the EROI model used however, the authors areconfident in the findings that IUCN?s work in Guatemala delivered value, sinceeven after discounting; the estimated return greatly exceeded the investment.