Framework for capacity building for post disaster construction & demolition waste management at national level

The entire world is facing frequent and severe disasters In a disaster, generation of waste is
unavoidable and critical as it differs from a normal situation in terms of quantity and
composition Thus, improper waste management is a major environmental issue in any postdisaster
scenario, specifically when it is contaminated with toxic substances leading to
environmental degradation and health problems Therefore, measures to control waste
generation and management of waste are needed for proper disaster waste management, being
an important aspect of the entire process of disaster management Literature revealed capacity
gaps in disaster waste management emphasizing the importance of capacity building for post
disaster waste management in Sri Lanka Thus this paper presents framework for capacity
building for post disaster waste management with special emphasis on C&D waste at national
level entities in Sri Lanka Data were gathered through semi structured interviews conducted
with experts representing Government, Non government and other sector organizations
involved in post disaster waste management Capacity gaps such as fewer opportunities for
career development, unawareness, lack of incentives are identified at individual level while
unavailability of formal procedures for preparation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes/
projects, policy issues such as unenforceability, inadequate government support and
unavailability of institutional arrangement are identified at entity level Framework for
capability building in disaster C&D waste management was presented, with suggested
approaches to overcome identified capacity gaps Framework can assist national entities
involved in disaster waste management to focus on specific capacity building processes based
on their institutional priorities It contains evaluated approaches to enhance capacities,
providing flexibility to initiate capacity building at different levels such as individual, team,
programmes, projects, entity or network of entities and in different contexts than disaster waste
management It guides national entities involved in post disaster waste management to enhance
their capacities for effective and efficient processes of post disaster waste management with
special emphasis to C&D waste