An increasing understanding of the need to address the underlying causes of risk has led to demands for more coherence in strategies that focus on DRR, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development. The Sendai Framework, Paris Agreement on Climate Change, Agenda 2030, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promote such strategies. MSB is the Swedish national focal point for the Sendai Framework and thus commissioned to drive its implementation in Sweden.
In 2018, MSB commissioned Lund University to explore if, and how, a national strategy for disaster risk reduction and resilience could be developed and implemented in Sweden. A new report, based on a study conducted by LUCSUS researcher Christine Wramsler and Åse Johannessen at Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety, provides key recommendations for fulfilling this goal and, ultimately, making Sweden more disaster resilient. The study addresses what to consider in developing a national and local strategies and provides information about how to achieve coherence with current laws and strategies. The results show that there is a clear need, and vast support, for the development of a national strategy for DRR and resilience in Sweden in order to improve current approaches, address shortfalls, and build on the existing strengths. The inclusion of concrete measures and associated budgeting are needed for the strategy to become useful and effective for the Swedish society. It is also highlighted that the process for developing and implementing a national strategy is equally or even more important than the strategy itself.
Specific recommendations for a national strategy for DRR are described in the MSB report: Developing a national strategy for disaster risk reduction and resilience in Sweden: Recommendations for the implementation of the Sendai Framework Global Target E.
The study also resulted in a scientific publication in International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction: Meeting at the crossroads? Developing national strategies for disaster risk reduction and resilience: Relevance, scope for, and challenges to, implementation (Open Access)
