Economic efficiency and equity analysis of Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) and resilience enhancement interventions in Haiti, Indonesia, India, and Uganda.

Disasters resulting from natural hazards pose an increasing threat to human health and safety, livelihoods, and economies. Their impacts are expected to worsen with climate change. Nature-based solutions are emerging as possible strategies to mitigate disaster risk; however, more research is needed to assess the economic efficiency and equity of Eco-DRR activities in strengthening community resilience. The aim of this study is to contribute to this growing literature.

We examine the project “Up-scaling Community Resilience through Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction” implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with Partners for Resilience (PfR), a global coalition between the Netherlands Red Cross, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Center, Cordaid, Wetlands International, and CARE Netherlands. The project, started in 2018 and completed in June 2022, supported Eco-DRR efforts in Indonesia, India, Haiti, and Uganda.

The interventions focus on ecosystem restoration, conservation and sustainable management. A portfolio of community resilience activities and capacity building strenghtens the effectiveness of the Eco-DRR. Community resilience is further enhanced by supporting local economic development through the adoption of sustainable livelihood practices.

We performed an economic efficiency assessment of the project through a quantitative Cost-Benefit Analysis and a qualitative analysis that considers non-monetary benefits too. Our quantitative estimates show that the benefits of the Eco-DRR and resilience enhancement interventions outweigh the value of their initial costs. Our qualitative analysis complements these findings, presenting a rich bouquet of long-lasting benefits associated with the Eco-DRR strategies, ecosystem management, and sustainable livelihood practices implemented during the project. Lastly, our equity assessment indicates that the project promotes equity by enhancing inclusivity, economic equality, participation, and capacity building. In particular, the resilience interventions implemented result in significant health, safety and economic improvements for women, children, and economically vulnerable members of the local communities.

REPORTS

Publications - suggested citations:

Haiti:

Vicarelli, Marta, Anamaria Georgescu, Kerry Judge, Asiel Arroyo, Htike Htike Aung, Jennifer Nelson, Jessica Mooring, Nujhat Purnata, Yin Yin Win. “Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Community Resilience in Haiti: a Cost-Benefit and Equity Analysis”. (2022) School of Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA, USA.

India:

Vicarelli, Marta, Anamaria Georgescu, Kerry Judge, Asiel Arroyo, Htike Htike Aung, Jennifer Nelson, Jessica Mooring, Nujhat Purnata, Yin Yin Win. “Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Community Resilience in India: a Cost-Benefit and Equity Analysis”. (2022) School of Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA, USA.

Indonesia:

Vicarelli, Marta, Anamaria Georgescu, Kerry Judge, Asiel Arroyo, Htike Htike Aung, Jennifer Nelson, Jessica Mooring, Nujhat Purnata, Yin Yin Win. “Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Community Resilience in Indonesia: a Cost-Benefit and Equity Analysis”. (2022) School of Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA, USA.

Uganda:

Vicarelli, Marta, Anamaria Georgescu, Kerry Judge, Asiel Arroyo, Htike Htike Aung, Jennifer Nelson, Jessica Mooring, Nujhat Purnata, Yin Yin Win. “Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Community Resilience in Uganda: a Cost-Benefit and Equity Analysis”. (2022) School of Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA, USA.

RESEARCH TEAM

Principal Investigator: Marta Vicarelli, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics and School of Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst - Contact: <mvicarelli@econs.umass.edu>

Co-Investigators:

• Anamaria Georgescu, Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning

• Kerry Judge, School of Public Policy

Contributors:

• Asiel Arroyo, Department of Environmental Conservation, School of Earth & Sustainability

• Htike Htike Aung, School of Public Policy

• Jessica Mooring, Department of Environmental Conservation, School of Earth and Sustainability, and Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning

• Jennifer Nelson, Department of Environmental Conservation, School of Earth and Sustainability

• Nujhat Purnata, School of Public Policy

• Yin Yin Win, School of Public Policy

Graphic design: Anamaria Georgescu

We are very gratful to our partners for inviting us to join this project. Special thanks to Dr. Karen Sudmeier-Rieux, Senior Advisor for Disaster Risk Reduction at UNEP; Malikah Amril, Field Project Coordinator, Eco-DRR at UNEP; Vincent van Haaren, Program Manager for Ecosystem-based DRR at the Netherlands Red Cross.

Our gratitude goes also to all our wonderful collaborators in each country for their generous support and assistance during the analyses:

• Julia Velez Ardaiz, Project Management Delegate for Climate and Resilience at the Netherlands Red Cross (HAITI)

• Dhruv Verma, Technical Officer at Wetlands International South Asia (INDIA)

• Eko Budi Prioyanto, Coordinator of Community Development at Wetlands International (INDONESIA)

• Dimas Alfred Prasetia, Technical Assistant of Soil and Hydrology at Wetlands International (INDONESIA)

• Friskafianti Amalia Dewi, Technical Assistant of Forestry and Reforestation at Wetlands International (INDONESIA)

• Marion Iceduna, CARE Uganda’s Consortium Manager for ECO-DRR (UGANDA)

• David Omega, CARE Uganda’s Advocacy Coordinator (UGANDA)

• Cornelia de Winter, CARE Netherland’s Program Officer for Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda (UGANDA)

• Simon Akweteireho, Project Officer at Wetlands International (UGANDA)