Bridging Defense Studies and Disaster Risk Reduction: Comparative Perspectives from the Former Yugoslavia

Authors

Vanja Rokvić
Ivan Dimitrijević

Abstract

In contemporary crises that threaten lives, infrastructure, and the functioning of states, armed forces have become central actors in disaster response. As their roles expand beyond traditional defense, the question arises: how prepared are they—educationally—for these responsibilities? Higher education plays a crucial role in disaster risk reduction (DRR) by developing knowledge, institutional capacity, and trained professionals. In particular, defense studies programs are essential for embedding DRR as a strategic competency. This paper examines the integration of DRR into defense education across the successor states of the former Yugoslavia. Drawing on the shared legacy of Total People’s Defense education in Yugoslavia, the research uses qualitative curriculum analysis to compare institutional frameworks and course content across selected universities and military academies. The analysis covered seven higher education institutions across five countries, providing comparative insight into how DRR principles are embedded in defense education. The findings suggest that credible defense education depends on the integration of DRR principles, positioning disaster preparedness and resilience as core competencies for defense graduates. The paper argues that aligning defense education with DRR is essential for building national resilience, enhancing civil–military cooperation, and preparing future professionals for complex 21st-century security environments.

Keywords: defence studies; disaster risk reduction; emergencies; armed forces; education

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 7, No. 2 (2025), pp. 65-86.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.5

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/141

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/141/144

Suggested citation

Rokvić, V., & Dimitrijević, I. (2025). Bridging Defense Studies and Disaster Risk Reduction: Comparative Perspectives from the Former Yugoslavia. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 65-86. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.5

Beyond Tokenism: Exploring the Experiences and Barriers of Persons with Disabilities in Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Management in Mwanza City Council, Tanzania

Authors

Joseph Bukula
Nicholaus Mwageni

Abstract

Persons with disabilities (PwDs) remain disproportionately vulnerable to disaster impacts due to systemic barriers and exclusionary practices in disaster risk management (DRM). Despite international frameworks such as Sendai Framework and United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), as well as national policy commitments to inclusion, limited attention to disability-specific needs and lived experiences continues to hinder meaningful participation of PwDs in DRM processes. This study examined the inclusion needs, experiences, and barriers that affect the effectiveness of disability-inclusive disaster risk management (DiDRM) interventions in Mwanza City Council (MCC), Tanzania. A qualitative approach was adopted, involving 16 in-depth semi-structured interviews and 4 focus group discussions with PwDs and representatives of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). Data were analyzed thematically to identify patterns related to participation dynamics, attitudinal barriers, and institutional practices. Findings reveal that negative perceptions of disability, limited awareness among DRM officials, and tokenistic engagement of PwDs and OPDs constrain substantive participation and meaningful inclusion. The study highlights that PwDs are heterogeneous group with distinct needs, and neglecting these differences perpetuates exclusion and widens the policy – practice gap. The study is limited by its qualitative design, focus on a single city, and exclusion of certain disability types, which may affect generalizability. Key implications include the necessity for inclusive communication strategies, access to assistive technologies, equitable involvement of PwDs in decision-making, and enhanced support for OPD-led initiatives. By emphasizing the agency of PwDs, this research contributes to understanding both context-specific and generalizable patterns in urban DiDRM. Overall, the study advocates a shift from perceiving PwDs merely as a vulnerable group toward recognizing them as active contributors and essential actors in disaster risk reduction and management.

Keywords: disaster risk management (DRM); persons with disabilities (PwDs); urban resilience; lived experiences; inclusion needs

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 7, No. 2 (2025), pp. 51-64.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.4

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/126

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/126/145

Suggested citation

Bukula, J., & Mwageni, N. (2025). Beyond Tokenism: Exploring the Experiences and Barriers of Persons with Disabilities in Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Management in Mwanza City Council, Tanzania. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 51-64. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.4

Assessing the Impact: Mortality from Infectious Disease in Trnava (1911 - 1941) through a Medical Geography Lens

Authors

Predrag Premović
Daniela Arsenović
Dragoslav Pavić
Vladimir M. Cvetković
Tin Lukić

Abstract

This study examines mortality from infectious diseases in the Municipality of Trnava between 1911 and 1941. Conducted at the Historical Archive in Kraljevo (Serbia), the research employs historical-demographic, medical-geographic, and demographic-statistical methods. The Municipality of Trnava existed from 1839 to 1945 and encompassed six villages situated between the southeastern slopes of Golija and the Raska River valley. Analyzing the determinants of health, the population in the early decades of the 20th century faced significant challenges, including poverty, unsanitary living conditions, limited access to education, and high illiteracy rates. These adverse conditions were exacerbated by the wartime environment from 1912 to 1918, which further deteriorated living standards. The concentration of a large population in restricted areas accelerated the rapid spread of infectious diseases. The typhus epidemic in early 1915 and the Spanish flu pandemic at the end of World War I led to substantial mortality in the municipality. Local epidemics of scarlet fever, diphtheria, dysentery, and smallpox also affected mortality. This study enhances our understanding of the historical dynamics of infectious disease mortality, highlighting the interplay between environmental, geopolitical, and socio-economic determinants of health in comparable contemporary contexts.

Keywords: infectious diseases; mortality; epidemic; medical geography; Trnava

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 7, No. 2 (2025), pp. 33-50.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.3

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/145

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/145/146

Suggested citation

Premović, P., Arsenović, D., Pavić, D., Cvetković, V. M., & Lukić, T. (2025). Assessing the Impact: Mortality from Infectious Disease in Trnava (1911 - 1941) through a Medical Geography Lens. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 33-50. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.3

Assessing Good Governance Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Among Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review

Authors

Fritzie Ivy J. Dalangin

Abstract

Following PRISMA approach, this systematic literature review looked at 19 peer-reviewed publications on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and good governance practices in schools that were published between 2011 and 2025. The review evaluated the relationship between DRRM implementation outcomes, such as preparedness, response, and recovery, and governance characteristics, including transparency, accountability, participation, and efficiency. Findings show that schools with higher budget allocation and larger institutional scale perform better in response during a disaster. School location significantly determines the level of disaster preparedness, attributed to resources, infrastructure, and program implementation. The review emphasized the need for mixed-method analyses in future studies to capture the combined effects of governance practices and institutional variables. It concludes that strengthening leadership capacity, financial transparency, and participatory governance structures is crucial for building school level resilience.

Keywords: disaster management; disaster; education; risk management; risk reduction; strategy

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 7, No. 2 (2025), pp. 21-32.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.2

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/133

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/133/147

Suggested citation

Dalangin, F. I. J. (2025). Assessing Good Governance Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Among Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 21-32. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.2

Advanced Flood Risk Mapping in Bouarfa Watershed Using Integrated Machine Learning, GIS, and MCDM

Authors

Alioua Zahar Elkheir
Mezrhab Abdelhamid
Laaboudi Mohammed
Achebour Ali
Sahil Mohammed
Elyagoubi Said
Melhaoui Mohammed

Abstract

In Morocco, floods occur frequently, often causing significant damage to infrastructure and the environment due to a lack of adequate protective measures. The unpredictability of these events is attributable to climate change and the irregular nature of weather conditions. However, determining flood susceptibility can facilitate the mitigation and prevention of risk. This study aims at mapping flood-susceptible areas in the Bouarfa watershed using a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach integrated within a Geographic Information System (GIS). Seven key conditioning parameters were considered: altitude, slope, geology, drainage density, flow accumulation, land use/land cover (LULC), and soil. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to assign weights to these factors. The results obtained demonstrate that 39.53% (546.24 km2) of the territory is exposed to a very low to moderate flood risk and 60.47% (835.59 km2) to a high to very high flood risk. The model's accuracy was validated using historical flood locations and the Area Under the Curve (AUC) method, which yielded a value of 84.5%, indicating very good performance. This map serves as a critical tool for decision-makers for risk mitigation and land-use planning in this arid region.

Keywords: hierarchy analytical process (AHP); flood susceptibility; multi-criteria decision making (MCDM); vulnerability; Bouarfa watershed

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 7, No. 2 (2025), pp. 1-20.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.1

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/138

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/138/148

Suggested citation

Elkheir, A. Z., Abdelhamid, M., Mohammed, L., Ali, A., Mohammed, S., Said, E., & Mohammed, M. (2025). Advanced Flood Risk Mapping in Bouarfa Watershed Using Integrated Machine Learning, GIS, and MCDM. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.1

Institutionalizing Disaster Risk Reduction in Fragile States: Local Governance Capacity, Conflict Insecurity, and Community Resilience in Lower Juba, Somalia

Authors

Akaninyene Unaam

Abstract

Fragile and conflict-affected states face compounded disaster risks where weak governance structures intersect with climate stressors and armed violence. This study examines how local governance capacity influences community resilience through the institutionalization of disaster risk reduction, and under what conditions conflict insecurity moderates this relationship, in Lower Juba, Somalia. Drawing on adaptive governance theory, institutional theory, and community resilience frameworks, the study tests a moderated mediation model using survey data from 400 households across four drought- and conflict-affected communities. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the four-factor structure of the constructs, with a comparative fit index of 0.96 and a root mean square error of approximation of 0.05. Bootstrapped mediation analysis with 5,000 samples revealed that disaster risk reduction institutionalization partially mediates the relationship between governance capacity and community resilience, with an indirect effect of β = 0.28 and a 95% confidence interval of [0.19, 0.39], accounting for 53.8% of the total effect. Moderation analysis showed that conflict insecurity significantly weakens the positive association between governance capacity and resilience, with a change in R-squared of 0.04 and p = 0.003. Findings demonstrate that governance capacity enhances resilience primarily when disaster risk reduction mechanisms are institutionalized, yet persistent insurgent insecurity undermines institutional effectiveness. The study contributes rare empirical evidence from a highly under-researched fragile setting. It offers context-specific policy guidance on integrating conflict-sensitive disaster risk reduction in sub-Saharan Africa.

Keywords: disaster risk reduction; governance capacity; state fragility; armed conflict; community resilience; Somalia; adaptive governance

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 8, No. 1 (2026), pp. 367-384.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.66050/c06z9913

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/210

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/210/227

Suggested citation

Unaam, A. (2026). Institutionalizing Disaster Risk Reduction in Fragile States: Local Governance Capacity, Conflict Insecurity, and Community Resilience in Lower Juba, Somalia. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 8(1), 367-384. https://doi.org/10.66050/c06z9913

Beyond Platform Type: Effects of Vegetation Density, Sensor Modality, and Search Strategy on Aerial Search and Rescue Performance

Authors

Andreas A. Nilsen
Tale R. Størdal
Vegard Johansen
Jørgen L.H. Ronge
Eyvind Grytting

Abstract

Timely detection of missing persons is critical for successful Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, especially under challenging environmental conditions. Modern SAR efforts utilize both manned helicopters and unmanned aerial systems (UAS), often equipped with electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) sensors, while helicopters may also employ visual observers. Despite their widespread use, limited empirical data exists on how these platforms, sensor types, and search techniques perform across varying terrain and vegetation densities. To our knowledge, no prior field study has jointly examined how platform type, sensor modality, search strategy, and vegetation density affect detection performance in realistic SAR conditions. This study presents results from the SAVIOUR 2024 quasi-experimental field experiment, conducted during a large-scale SAR exercise in Rogaland, Norway. Twelve professional SAR aircrews (six helicopters, six UAS teams) conducted 48 search sorties across sectors with low, medium, and high vegetation density, targeting 251 human subjects. Key metrics were Probability of Detection (POD) and Time to Detection. Both platforms achieved high detection rates (mean POD >83%), with 54% of sorties reaching 100% POD. Vegetation density was the strongest predictor of POD, with reduced performance in high-density forest (helicopters: 71.4%, UAS: 73.3%). Platform type was not a significant predictor of POD when controlling for vegetation density; in contrast, vegetation density and sensor modality seemed to have stronger effects on detection performance. Helicopters detected targets faster, likely due to initial sweep strategies. UAS teams favored systematic detailed searches, resulting in longer detection intervals. Sensor-based searches outperformed visual-only methods, though visual-only data were limited. As an operational implication, we suggest that coordinated, vertically separated operations - helicopters at high altitude and UAS at low altitude - may enhance efficiency through concurrent coverage. However, this coordination model was not directly tested as an intervention and should be validated in future studies. These findings offer guidance for integrated SAR practices and highlight future research needs, including AI-assisted detection and performance evaluation under diverse thermal and geographical conditions.

Keywords: Search and Rescue (SAR); Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS); helicopter; probability of detection (POD); comparative analysis; airspace management; synergistic aerial operations

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 8, No. 1 (2026), pp. 511-538.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.66050/sja2vn07

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/234

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/234/231

Suggested citation

Nilsen, A. A., Størdal, T. R., Johansen, V., Ronge, J. L., & Grytting, E. (2026). Beyond Platform Type: Effects of Vegetation Density, Sensor Modality, and Search Strategy on Aerial Search and Rescue Performance. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 8(1), 511-538. https://doi.org/10.66050/sja2vn07

Administrative Risks and Logistics Supply Challenges in Gaza Shelter Centers During the 2023–2026 Conflict

Authors

Mohammed Mohammed A. El-Mougher
Ahmad A. Abu Zaydah

Abstract

This study analyzed the administrative risks and challenges facing logistics operations and coordination at shelter centers in the Gaza Strip. The study sample consisted of 18 participants from various fields related to logistics supply. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, the responses were analyzed based on frequency distributions and response consistency. The findings revealed significant logistical risks, primarily due to inaccurate data, the lack of pre-prepared plans, and a shortage of trained staff. The results also showed a disparity in coordination roles, with UN agencies leading at 60%, the government exceeding 30%, and NGOs accounting for less than 10%, alongside weak institutional synergy between local and international entities. The study recommends developing risk-based administrative plans, establishing centralized joint operations rooms, and enhancing human and technical capacities. Furthermore, It emphasizes strengthening cooperation among governmental and international entities through comprehensive strategies tailored to the Gaza Strip’s unique context as a conflict zone.

Keywords: risks; administrative challenges; logistics; armed conflicts; shelter centers

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 8, No. 1 (2026), pp. 487-510.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.66050/j6kw0q11

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/212

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/212/230

Suggested citation

El-Mougher, M. M. A., & Zaydah, A. A. A. (2026). Administrative Risks and Logistics Supply Challenges in Gaza Shelter Centers During the 2023–2026 Conflict. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 8(1), 487-510. https://doi.org/10.66050/j6kw0q11

Assessing Local Disaster Governance in Coastal Bangladesh: Comparing Institutional and Community Perspectives on Disaster Management Committees

Authors

Shah Taimur Rahaman Tamim
Md. Faisal
Milton Kumar Saha
Joy Boiddho
Vladimir M. Cvetković

Abstract

Despite substantial investments in decentralized disaster governance, Bangladesh’s coastal regions remain highly vulnerable to climate-induced hazards. Disaster Management Committees (DMCs) were established to enhance local preparedness, response, and recovery through participatory governance. However, empirical evidence on their effectiveness at the community level remains limited. This study examines the institutional capacity, operational effectiveness, and governance legitimacy of DMCs in two disaster-prone coastal upazilas: Dumki and Kalapara of Patuakhali District. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining a community survey (N = 100) with key informant interviews (N = 30). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and four composite indices were constructed: Community Awareness Index (CAI), Community Satisfaction Index (CSI), Institutional Capacity Index (ICI), and Operational Effectiveness Index (OEI). Qualitative data were analyzed thematically to contextualize institutional practices and explain the gap between institutional claims and community experience. The findings reveal a pronounced disconnect between institutional self-assessment and community-level perceptions. Community awareness of DMCs was very low (CAI = 0.07), and community satisfaction with DMC performance was also very low (CSI = 0.04), indicating limited public engagement and weak service visibility. In contrast, DMC members reported very high institutional capacity (ICI = 0.95) and ceiling-level operational effectiveness (OEI = 1.00), suggesting a substantial mismatch between institutional perceptions and community realities. Union-wise differences in awareness and satisfaction were limited and not statistically significant. Firth penalized logistic regression likewise did not identify any statistically significant predictor of community satisfaction, indicating that dissatisfaction was broad-based rather than confined to specific respondent groups or locations. Overall, the results suggest that decentralization alone is insufficient to ensure participatory and effective disaster governance without accountability, transparency, and sustained community engagement. The study highlights the importance of community-validated performance measures and stronger accountability mechanisms for improving local disaster risk governance in climate-vulnerable settings.

Keywords: local disaster governance; disaster management committees; coastal Bangladesh; institutional self-assessment; community perception; community satisfaction; accountability

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 8, No. 1 (2026), pp. 465-486.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.66050/3cawjv12

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/230

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/230/223

Suggested citation

Tamim, S. T. R., Faisal, M., Saha, M. K., Boiddho, J., & Cvetković, V. M. (2026). Assessing Local Disaster Governance in Coastal Bangladesh: Comparing Institutional and Community Perspectives on Disaster Management Committees. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 8(1), 465-486. https://doi.org/10.66050/3cawjv12

Insurance as a Model for Protecting the Economic System from Natural Disasters

Authors

Luka Baturan
Goran Milošević
Cvjetana Cvjetković Ivetić

Abstract

Natural disasters increasingly generate serious economic consequences, including direct property losses, disruption of production and trade flows, increased public expenditure, and pressure on state budgets. In this context, insurance represents an important instrument of disaster risk financing and economic system protection. The aim of this paper is to examine the role of insurance as a model for protecting the economic system from the consequences of natural disasters, with particular reference to the Republic of Serbia. The paper applies normative legal analysis, theoretical analysis, comparative analysis, and secondary data analysis. Special attention is given to the relationship between voluntary and compulsory insurance, public-private partnership models, catastrophe insurance pools, and the role of the state in disaster risk financing. The findings indicate that an effective insurance system can reduce the financial burden on the state, accelerate post-disaster recovery, and strengthen the resilience of households, businesses, and the wider economic system. However, in Serbia, the development of such a model requires stronger institutional support, improved insurance culture, subsidized premiums for vulnerable groups, reliable hazard data, and a clearer division of responsibilities between the state, insurers, and insured entities. The paper concludes that a combined public-private model of disaster insurance would be the most appropriate direction for strengthening economic resilience to natural disasters in Serbia.

Keywords: insurance; protection; prevention; risk; disaster; public interest

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 8, No. 1 (2026), pp. 445-464.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.66050/z82mwm80

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/236

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/236/222

Suggested citation

Baturan, L., Milošević, G., & Cvjetković Ivetić, C. (2026). Insurance as a Model for Protecting the Economic System from Natural Disasters. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 8(1), 445-464. https://doi.org/10.66050/z82mwm80