ABSTRACT

Indigenous communities are likely to be specifically vulnerable to natural hazards, as a result of several factors, including their place of residence, which is often remote and sometimes not even fixed. Other factors that exacerbate their vulnerability include their economic status, as they often live in relative poverty, as well as a lack of awareness and preparedness, as they are often marginalised and do not participate in the governmental decision-making processes pertaining to disasters. Despite their closeness to the environment they have traditionally inhabited and their knowledge of climate patterns, including natural hazards, they are thus at particular risk of being negatively affected by natural hazards.

This chapter presents how the existing legal framework applies to disasters involving Indigenous communities, before considering the legal basis to include Indigenous peoples in the decision-making process pertaining to the development of disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and management policies. It also addresses the potential added-value of integrating an Indigenous perspective in the decision-making processes that seek to combat the effects of disasters, in particular through the use of Indigenous knowledge. Finally, it includes some good practice and possible ways forward to involve Indigenous peoples’ views and knowledge in disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and management.