This is a report on the application of ‘accountability’ and ‘non-discrimination’ as principles to guide flood risk management. Floods are common in Honduras - the most damaging type of natural disaster facing the country. Flood risk management is a key element in disaster risk reduction (DRR) - and development.
This project considers the potential of a rights-based approach to flood management. Accountability and non-discrimination (including affirmative action) are principles fundamental to human rights. Here ‘rights’ are interpreted broadly, as justifiable claims which have a legal, political, social or other basis, i.e. including human rights, but also going beyond them.
This report describes how the flood management/DRR ‘sector’ in Honduras has been ‘scoped’ using tools of analysis to investigate how well (or inadequately) poor populations at risk are being served by current laws, policies and institutions - viewed through the two ‘lenses’ of accountability and nondiscrimination.
The report argues the case for the deeper and wider analysis of accountability, and understanding of equity in relation to flood management, as part of building capacity for influencing of reform of DRR governance and promotion of social mobilisation.