Challenges in multi-agency collaboration in disaster management: A Sri Lankan perspective. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abdeen, F.N.; Fernando, T.; Kulatunga, U.; Hettige, S.; Ranasinghe, K.D. Arjuna
• Is Part Of: International journal of disaster risk reduction. Volume 62(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Disaster management -- Multi-agency collaboration -- Challenges and strategies; Emergency management -- Periodicals; Risk management -- Periodicals; Disaster relief -- Periodicals; Hazard mitigation -- Periodicals; 363.34
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102399
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2212-4209

Abstract

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.