Section 5: Special topics to demonstrate research processes and benefits

Chapter 5.4 Indigenous peoples

21 October 2022

Research Methods for Health EDRM
WHO guidance on research methods for health emergency and disaster risk management
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Authors: Del Pino S, Davis J, Camacho A, Perez-Gutierrez E.  

Chapter 5.4 describes:

  1. Methodologies addressing the health needs of indigenous peoples.
  2. The contributions of indigenous knowledge and practices to research and evidence in health emergencies and disaster risk management (Health EDRM).
  3. Key inputs from prior research to support effective inclusion of Health EDRM approaches among indigenous communities.

What is this chapter about? 

Methodologies for Health EDRM research among indigenous peoples are scarce and often non-representative. Understanding and integrating indigenous peoples’ perspectives in Health EDRM research can help researchers create participatory and inclusive approaches that will support effective disaster response.

This chapter outlines key methodologies and provides examples to support the conduct of reliable research with indigenous communities. It highlights the need for such collaborations to consider important cultural differences and to be based on mutual respect and benefit to all involved.

Case studies presented in the chapter: 

  1. Researching cultural attributes for enhancing community wellbeing after the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquakes in Kaupapa Māori communities.
  2. Location-based disaster preparation in Yi-minority communities in Sichuan Province, China.

What are the key messages of this chapter?  

  • Indigenous peoples must be meaningfully included in the development and implementation of Health EDRM policy, planning, practice and research to ensure that the approaches used are culturally and linguistically relevant.
  • True partnership with indigenous peoples and effective engagement of indigenous peoples in Health EDRM is crucial. It is important to assess what aspects of communication, among other areas, need to be improved upon to meet the community’s needs.
  • It is critical that research is viewed as a partnership which respects the leadership, empowerment and full consent of indigenous peoples. Indigenous people are best placed to make an assessment of the needs of their community, and this perspective is crucial in risk management and research.
  • International and national agencies and other organizations need to be held accountable in including indigenous peoples in Health EDRM initiatives, particularly the recognition of knowledge, practice and needs of indigenous peoples, collaboration with indigenous peoples, and incorporation of indigenous knowledge and practice into regional, national, and international emergency and disaster risk management strategies and plans.
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