Safeguarding and Mobilising Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Context of Natural and Human-Induced Hazards.

This concept paper reports on a review of the literature relating to the safeguarding and mobilisation by local communities of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in the context of disasters triggered by natural hazards. What is the current state of knowledge regarding the impact of natural hazards on ICH? What role is played by ICH in mitigating the impacts of these disasters on local communities? ICH is a relatively new concept in the public domain and in the disaster risk management (DRM) field, and is seldom explicitly identified in these terms. The concept of local knowledge, which is more widely used and understood, serves as a synonym or proxy for ICH in much of the literature on disasters. To date, however, the two distinct fields and literatures of ICH and disasters are only rarely in direct conversation with each other. Local knowledge and, by extension, ICH play a crucial role in mitigation at every step of the disaster management cycle, from preparedness through response to recovery. This role is increasingly evident and appreciated in disaster management and risk reduction practice. However, there is only limited understanding of the longer-term structures that generate and sustain ICH and render it viable, and of the broader significance of non-technical ICH for disaster mitigation.