Approaches for capacity building for disaster waste management

Abstract

Natural disasters such as Fukushima earthquake and tsunami in 2011, Haiti earthquake in 2010, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 were evident for large volumes of waste generated overwhelming existing solid waste capacities, requiring special approaches. This was further aggravated by prevailing improper Municipal Solid Waste Management practices with inadequate management capacities, specifically in developing countries. These resulted in social, economical and health issues such as unpleasant odor, ground water contamination and epidemics. This is also applicable to Sri Lanka which was severely affected by Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 and prevailing dengue epidemic due to improper Municipal Solid Waste Management practices. In this context, this paper reveals approaches for capacity building over identified capacity gaps in disaster waste management in Sri Lanka. Case study research approach was used and multiple cases were selected representing all stakeholders involved in disaster waste management. Data were gathered through fifteen semi structured interviews. Unavailability of a regulatory body, pre-planned frameworks and enforceable rules and regulations and capacity constraints are identified as major gaps in disaster waste management in Sri Lanka. Establishment of a regulatory body and enforceable rules and regulations with necessary levels of capacities can attain sustainable disaster waste management for future resilience in Sri Lanka.