Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction into Development Planning in Egypt

Can Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) contribute to human development and poverty reduction in Egypt? The author argues that poverty alleviation, human development and disaster risk reduction are strongly interdependent in the case of Egypt. Progress towards the attainment of the first two objectives will not be achieved unless more attention is given to the DRR discourse. The thesis explores various initiatives undertaken by the Government of Egypt (GOE) for disaster risk reduction from the year 2000 until 2007; the research covers the various methods and systems employed to reduce risk and vulnerability. The 2006 outbreak of Avian Influenza is the case study, which shows the interconnection between the failure to reduce disaster risk and stagnation of sustainable development efforts. The case study reveals the impact of AI on the livelihoods of traditional polutry keepers in Fayoum. The author investigates the methods of risk reduction implemented by various government agencies and the coping mechanisms carried out by the affected communities.