Challenges in multi-agency collaboration in disaster management : a Sri Lankan perspective

Abdeen, FN; Fernando, TP; Kulatunga, U; Hettige, S; Arjuna Ranasinghe, KD

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the current challenges prevailing in relation to multi-agency collaboration during disaster management and at the strategies that should be implemented in order to overcome such challenges. The study was based on a qualitative approach under which 32 semi-structured interviews were carried out among agencies engaged in disaster management. The collected data were analysed using content analysis. The study identified seven challenges that hinder multi-agency collaboration (communication, environmental, social, political, inter-organisational, intra-organisational and infrastructure challenges) and corresponding strategies that can be used to overcome them. Communication was considered as the dominant challenge due to the lack of a technology platform and well-defined guidelines for sharing data among the agencies to establish a common view of the disaster context. Furthermore, the interoperability challenges that exist among the agencies seems to hinders the effective collaboration among agencies.

Citation

Abdeen, F., Fernando, T., Kulatunga, U., Hettige, S., & Arjuna Ranasinghe, K. (2021). Challenges in multi-agency collaboration in disaster management : a Sri Lankan perspective. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 62, 102399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102399

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 12, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jun 19, 2021
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jun 22, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 28, 2021
• Journal: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
• Print ISSN: 2212-4209
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 62
• Pages: 102399
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102399
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102399
• Related Public URLs: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-disaster-risk-reduction/
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ** Article version: AM ** From Elsevier via Jisc Publications Router ** Licence for AM version of this article: This article is under embargo. **Journal IDs: issn 22124209 **History: issued 19-06-2021; accepted 12-06-2021; Funders : Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF);Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);GCRF;EPSRC; Projects : A Collaborative Multi Agency Platform for Building Resilient Communities;unspecified;EP/PO28543/1; Grant Number: EP/PO28543/1