Land tenure and disaster risk management

The frequency of natural disasters has been increasing since the 1950s. The most vulnerable groups are more likely to live on disaster-prone land, and are at greatest risk of displacement and loss of livelihood assets in the event of a disaster. For the more severe natural disasters, temporary or permanent resettlement of large numbers of people is necessary. Natural disasters can also create circumstances where land speculation and land grabbing occur; good governance of land is critical in the emergency response and recovery phases. Drawing on existing literature and case studies examining land tenure issues after natural disasters, this paper makes recommendations on responses to land issuesThe frequency of natural disasters has been increasing since the 1950s. The most vulnerable groups are more likely to live on disaster-prone land, and are at greatest risk of displacement and loss of livelihood assets in the event of a disaster. For the more severe natural disasters, temporary or permanent resettlement of large numbers of people is necessary. Natural disasters can also create circumstances where land speculation and land grabbing occur; good governance of land is critical in the emergency response and recovery phases. Drawing on existing literature and case studies examining land tenure issues after natural disasters, this paper makes recommendations on responses to land issues within the context of a Disaster Risk Management framework. Recommendations are also made for improvements in land policy and legal frameworks, and formal recognition of historical attitudes to land, as part of an adaptation and mitigation process to improve the resilience of the more vulnerable members of society. Considering land issues in the various stages of disaster risk management will help to protect displaced people's land rights, and allow them to return successfully to their pre-disaster land and livelihoods where appropriate.