Disaster Risk Reduction in the Man-Made Island of Dubai - Case Study Example

Disaster risk reduction By Name Course Instructor Institution City/State Date Executive summary This report looks at impact of disaster risk reduction in averting disasters that could arise as a result of occurrence of disasters both natural and man-made. Disaster risk reduction refers to measures that individuals take into account when trying to minimize the damage resulting from disasters. Disaster risk reduction tries to create awareness and preparedness to the occurrence of disasters. Therefore, by incorporating the principles of disaster risk reduction the report tries to establish a measure that would be used to avert crisis resulting from soil erosion. The report focuses on the man-made island of Dubai in an effort to ensure that the survival of the island is assured by preventing soil erosion. The island is likely to face various hazards such as high winds, cyclone and rising sea level which could lead to soil erosion. Therefore in an effort to ensure that the soil that has been imported to the island is protected. This is achieved by incorporating biotechnical techniques in an effort to prevent soil erosion. Biotechnical techniques involve the use of technical structures and use of plants as a way of preventing soil erosion. Therefore, by incorporating the two it becomes quite easy to prevent soil erosion on the island. However, for the project to be successful it requires funds and to achieve this the project has partnered with various organization to ensure the project completion. The report seeks funding of the project by demonstrating the factors involved in overseeing the success of the project. As a result the project has partnered with various organizations, whose mandate will be to assist in the completion of the project. It is hoped that the partner to the project will not only provide funds but will also provide technical knowledge and skills in ensuring that the project is a success. Objectives of the project and project outcomes The fact that disasters cannot always be avoided means that there is always the likelihood of crisis as a result of disasters. Therefore, the impact of the disaster mainly relies on the preparedness of individual to tackle the disaster should it happen. However, this could prove to be challenging if the individuals are not educated on the ways of preparing and averting huge crisis should a disaster happen. Therefore, through the help of disaster risk reduction individuals living on the island will be empowered with knowledge on how to prevent soil erosion (Liu, et al 2014, p 17). Additionally, they will be empowered with the knowledge on the various methods used in prevention of soil erosion. Therefore, this further shows that disaster risk reduction is integral in ensuring the survival of the island. Therefore, the project is based on various objective, which attempt to demonstrate why it is important to incorporate disaster risk reduction. The first aim is to improve preparedness of disasters. This is achieved by providing better equipment to people living in disaster prone areas which in this case are the shores of the island. Rising sea levels is probably the main contributor of soil erosion. This is attributed to the fact that the sea level changes in the course of the day due to tides. Therefore, by improving preparedness soil erosion is more likely to be reduced. In addition to this the project seeks to create awareness the local government on the importance of being prepared for man-made disasters that could lead to soil erosion. In addition to this, the project tries to improve the capabilities of the local management in planning against local hazards. In doing so it becomes quite easy to identify the most vulnerable areas to soil erosion on the island (Liu, et al 2014, p 11). Statement of need, characteristic of beneficiaries The island’s survival greatly depends on how prepared individuals on the island are prepared in combatting disasters that may the island. As earlier stated soil erosion is one of the main factors that could greatly affect the survival of the island. Soil erosion is defined as the removal of the top soil as a result of natural activities or man-made activities (Arnhold, et al 2014, p. 94). Additionally, soil erosion could affect the ability to implement infrastructure on the island. Therefore, it is highly important that soil preservation be practiced on the island. This is attributed to the fact that the soil found on the island is not naturally available but rather has been imported on the island. This means that replacing the lost soil could prove to be expensive and time consuming (Porfiriev 2012, p. 60). Therefore, it is important that soil preservation be practiced on the island. In addition to this, the existing framework lack the ability to prevent soil erosion especially in some vulnerable areas of the island. However, in order to implement disasters risk reduction it is important to identify the erosion agents. In doing so it becomes quite easy to come up with soil prevention methods.. Waves from the sea are main causing agents since they arise due to water movement in the sea on a daily basis. Therefore, due to the pressure and force that accompanies waves when they heat the shores, erosion is more likely to happen. Failure to contain the effect of the waves could lead to loss of soil due to the waves. Therefore, by understanding the dynamics of waves it becomes quite easy to implement soil prevention mechanism. This in return reduces the amount of soil lost through soil erosion and goes further in increasing the sustainability of the island. However, achieving the objectives of the project could prove to be quite difficult without the required resources. This is attributed to the fact that most of resources to be used attract high costs which could prove impossible without funding from the government. Therefore, with enough funding the project could prove to be quite a success in minimizing soil erosion thus averting disasters as a result of soil erosion (Liu, et al 2014, p 11). It is equally important to look at the beneficiaries of the project, which in this case are individuals on the island and Dubai as a whole. Individuals living on the island do not possess the technical skills of preventing soil erosion. Therefore, entrusting such an obligation to them could jeopardize the integrity of the island. Additionally, the island being a new concept in Dubai, it could prove difficult for the local government to undertake such a project. However, this could be remedied through this project since with enough funds it will be capable of preventing soil erosion, and at the same time provide crucial information to the local community on how to prevent soil erosion. This will go in handy in ensuring sustainability of the project. Details of how the project will reduce risk In order to facilitate risk reduction the project will incorporate biotechnical methods in preventing soil erosion on the island. Biotechnical techniques refer to the use of plant and engineering techniques in an effort to protect and prevent soil erosion in sloppy areas. (Li, 2006, p. 345). These techniques are different from the conventional methods used for preventing soil erosion. This is attributed to the fact that these techniques benefit from the ability of plants to prevent soil erosion and ability of conventional engineering methods to prevent soil erosion. Biotechnical techniques are easy to implement and maintain compared to other methods of soil prevention. In addition to this, use of biotechnical techniques has an aesthetic value. This is attributed to the fact plants to be used could be selected to ensure that the area is not only beautiful but at the same time soil erosion is prevented. However, the plantation to be used could vary from region to regions across the island depending on the topography of the island. Additionally, by incorporating the use of biotechnical techniques, awareness is developed on the importance of improving the environment and the benefits of improving the environment (Li, 2006, p. 340). In addition to this plants used in biotechnical techniques not only add aesthetic value but are also provide structural support. This is to say that with the help of plants it becomes quite easy to maintain the structures that have been put in place (Fifield 2002, p.180) The use of biotechnical techniques greatly affects the structure of the soil which plays a crucial part in prevention of soil erosion. The use of plants as means of soil erosion prevention greatly reinforces the soil structure. This means that the soil are not loosely held together but are quite intact, and as a result preventing soil erosion. This is attributed to the roots of the plants that have been incorporated in the adopted technique of soil erosion prevention. Plant roots are known to facilitate reinforcement of soil particle thus reducing instances of soil erosion (Li & Eddleman 2002, p. 230). Therefore, despite the reinforcement put in place when constructing the island to ensure soil particles stay intact, planting of plants could further enhance this. Soil particles that are closely held together are more resistant to soil erosion when compared to soil particles that are loosely held together. In addition to this, use vegetation as a way of printing soil erosion facilitates sedimentation process. Sedimentation refer to the settlement of soil particles at the bottom of the water when still (Thompson & Sorvig 2007, p 220). Water is deemed as one of the major causing agents of soil erosion especially if the water is flowing. Therefore, by planting vegetation the speed at which water flows is greatly reduced, and in return allows the soil particle to settle. As a result, soil is reclaimed with very little soil particle being washed away by flowing water. Additionally, the growing vegetation such as trees act as wind breakers, thus reducing the rate at which soil is blown away by the wind. Wind is regarded one of the major erosion agent and by minimizing the impact of wind on the soil ensures that soil erosion is prevented (Tamura & Cao 2012, p. 3-15). Therefore, use of biotechnical techniques not only reinforces the soil particles but also ensures that soil is not lost as a result of water or wind. Therefore, compared to the conventional methods of soil erosion prevention the use biotechnical techniques proves to be quite beneficial and easy to implement (Lichtfouse & Navarrete, 2009, p. 150). Additionally, it is important to note that the use of biotechnical techniques is long lasting unlike other methods of soil erosion which are temporary. Therefore, this ensures that as long as the island will be in existence, soil erosion will not be a worry to the island dwellers. Additionally, maintenance is quite easy since all that is required of the individuals is to replace the dead plants with live plants. Additionally, with biotechnical techniques individuals can use local plants that grow near the island, thus reducing the need to import plants to be used for biotechnical structures (Rivera & Wamsler 2014, p. 80). The incorporation of engineering in the project ensures sustainability of the project to overcome the challenges it could face in the future. This is in return ensures that the project is capable of attaining its primary objective which in this case is prevention of soil erosion on the island. Profile of partner organizations, credibility & expertise; evaluation of project’s links to organizational mission & vision The project will incorporate various partners who will provide information and technological skill and funds in ensuring that the project is a success. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) The United Nations Environment Programme is the main partner in this project and will be crucial in achieving the objectives of the project. Being the main body dealing with environmental issues across the world means that it would bring about required information on how best to prevent soil erosion. This is attributed to the fact that UNEP has overseen various projects touching on soil erosion, thereby possessing lots of experience in matter touching on soil erosion. Additionally, UNEP has a department dealing with the use of technology as way of conserving environment. The Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE) as it is commonly referred to will provide the technical skills required in undertaking of the project. Therefore, by incorporating UNEP as one of the major partners to the project ensures that the project is successful and capable to meet its objectives (UNEP 2014) Dubai Local Government The project would also partner with the Dubai local government in ensuring the success of the project. This is attributed to the fact the island is located in Dubai and failure of incorporating the local government could be detrimental to the project. Additionally, any project it be undertaken on the island would require the permission of the local government as the islands falls under its jurisdiction. Additionally with the help of the Dubai local government it becomes quite easy to monitor the project upon its completion. Supervision of the project after completion is quite important in ensuring that project achieves its objective. Additionally through supervision it becomes quite easy to carry maintenance on the project, thus ensuring that the project is able to meet its objective which is to pre vent soil erosion. Therefore, by incorporating the local government it is easy to monitor the progress of the project upon its completion (Government of Dubai 2014) National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority The project would also partner with National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority in overseeing it completion. National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority would also be used to create awareness to the people living on the island and people Dubai on the importance of preventing soil erosion around the island. Additionally, since the body’s main objective is dealing with disaster management means that it has the capability of providing crucial information on disaster management. Additionally, the body could provide information and knowledge on the technical aspect of the project. This in return ensures that the project is of superior quality and is capable of meeting its primary objective of soil erosion prevention (NCEMA 2014) Therefore, by partnering with these three main bodies, the project acquires all the necessary information and knowledge required in undertaking its activities. As a result the project will be able to not only prevent soil erosion on the island presently but also in the future (Werna 2014, p. 50) Details of how project will be monitored and how sustainability post funding will be assured. Project monitoring is equally important to the sustainability of the project and its effectiveness in preventing soil erosion. Project monitoring entails carrying out activities such as collection of information in an effort to evaluate the success or failures of any given project. Therefore, through monitoring the project it becomes quite easy to make changes to the project to correspond to the present situations. This is attributed to the fact that, changes in the surrounding areas are inevitable. As a result, these changes could affect the sustainability of the project, thus the need for constant monitoring of the project. Additionally, through monitoring of the project it is possible to ensure that the project continues to achieve its main objective which in this case is prevention of soil erosion (Gudda, 2011, p 130). Therefore, monitoring of the project will be achieved through various ways such physical monitoring of the project and use of technology. Physical monitoring will involve individuals visiting the project sites and collecting various statistics in regards to the project. Through the collected statistics it will be possible to determine the impact the project has had in averting soil erosion on the island. Additionally, with the help of the statistics it will be possible to determine the amount of resources to be put in place for the project to achieve its objectives. The project will also incorporate the use of technology in monitoring and evaluating the structures that were put in place. Engineering structures are prone to degradation after some time. Therefore, with the help of technology it becomes quite easy to determine the lifespan of the structures. This could prove quite handy in determining the amount of funds that are required to ensure the sustainability of the project and to ensure it meets its objective which is prevention of soil erosion. As a result, it becomes quite easy to obtain information that could otherwise be impossible through physical inspection. Therefore, to ensure proper monitoring the project will incorporate use of technology and physical inspection of the project In addition to this, the sustainability of the project will also depend greatly on the availability of funds after it completion. This is because without the necessary funds the project will cease to exist, which would greatly jeopardize the main objective of the project. Therefore, to ensure that the sustainability of the project is not compromised the project has sought to have the partners provide the necessary funds for the project. This means that each partner will contribute some amount every year towards the project. The funds will be used to cover the cost resulting from maintenance of the project. In return this ensures that objectives of the project are not compromised due to lack of funds. Additionally, the project will try and attract other partners who will also fund the project and expansion of the project if need be. Therefore, this ensures that the project will be capable of meeting its main objective which in this case is prevention of soil erosion. Conclusion In conclusion, disaster risk reduction makes it easy for countries to avert crisis resulting from disasters. This is attributed to the fact that, disaster risk reduction aims at providing awareness of possible crisis that could arise from disasters. Additionally, disaster risk reduction help in ensuring that that individuals are prepared to avert the crisis. This is achieved by putting in place measures that will ensure that the fact of the disaster is contained. Therefore, in relation to these statements, this paper tries to establish measures that would avert crisis resulting from soil erosion. This is achieved through incorporating biotechnical techniques as the most preferable measures in ensuring soil erosion is prevented. The use of biotechnical techniques is also adopted due to the fact that soil erosion prevention measures are to be undertaken on a man-made island. As a result incorporating other soil erosion prevention measures would greatly compromise the structure of the island. In addition to this, the use of biotechnical techniques increases the aesthetic value of the island. Therefore, with the disaster risk reduction it is hoped that the project will be a success, and will be capable of meeting its main objective which is prevention of soil erosion on the island. References Arnhold, S, Lindner, S, Lee, B, Martin, E, Kettering, J, Nguyen, TT … Huwe, B 2014, Conventional and organic farming: Soil erosion and conservation potential for row crop cultivation, Geoderma, vol. 219–220, pp. 89–105. Collins, AE 2013, Applications of the disaster risk reduction approach to migration influenced by environmental change, environmental science & policy, vol. 27s, pp. s112 – s125. Fifield, JS 2002, Field Manual on Sediment and Erosion Control: Best Management Practices for Contractors and Inspectors, California, Forester Press. 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