A Multi-dimensional Framework for Assessing Disaster Recovery Pathways: Lessons and Experiences from Germany and Nigeria

The recent increase in the frequency of extreme events worldwide highlights the urgent need for comprehensive and coordinated efforts to achieve sustainable recovery and resilience. However, the recovery process following such events has often been prolonged and uneven, and it is frequently overlooked in global disaster management policies. This study aims to address this gap by providing a comprehensive assessment of disaster recovery pathways after extreme flood events, by developing a multidimensional framework.

The research questions guiding this study are: What are the key elements of disaster recovery? What factors act as barriers or facilitators to recovery pathways after disasters? How do these factors contribute to building back better? To answer these questions, the study combines conceptual and empirical insights, including a literature review and an assessment of recovery pathways from recent extreme flood events in Germany and Nigeria.

A multi-methods approach was utilized, encompassing in-depth interviews with representatives from government, NGOs, the private sector, community members, and disaster recovery experts. A total of thirty-eight in-depth interviews were conducted with stakeholders from both countries. Additionally, grey literature and policy documents were analyzed. Qualitative content analysis was employed to analyze the data derived from the in-depth interviews and policy documents.

The findings highlight the significant role of relief organizations in driving recovery efforts, with a particular focus on humanitarian aspects. Moreover, sustainable changes have been observed, such as the implementation of communal heating systems and the use of sustainable materials in building reconstruction. Religious organizations have played a crucial role in providing social and psychological support during the recovery process.

Despite these positive developments, the study underscores a lack of concerted efforts to truly "build back better" during the recovery process, primarily due to political, financial, and institutional constraints. This observation holds across different cases, including the Ahr and Erftstadt in Germany and Lagos in Nigeria. These themes have been explored within the broader scope of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 - 2030.