Disaster Risk Management in the State of Rio de Janeiro

This chapter describes and analyzes the recent evolution of disaster risk management in the state of Rio de Janeiro as evidenced through empirical observation, a bibliographic review, and a desk review. Firstly, it describes the two most serious types of hazards – floods and landslides – and shows which territories are more susceptible to risks. Then it introduces the political and institutional context at the state and municipal levels (primarily the civil defense agencies) and details their evolution in reaction to several disasters that have occurred over time. In 2011, the mega disaster in the Serrana region marked an evolution in policies in the state of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. It triggered a paradigm shift from solely disaster management practices, focused on response and recovery, to broader risk management initiatives focused on risk assessment, prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Several institutions started to concentrate on risk management, especially in risk assessment and preparedness, for the two types of major hazards. The State Civil Defense, the Environmental State Institute, and the State Department of Mineral Resources were particularly relevant institutions in this context.