Populism, Post-truth Politics and Disaster Risk: Challenges for Governance and Marginalised Communities
Publisher: DRR Dynamics
Author(s): Kevin Blanchard
Date: 2025
Topics: Climate Change, Gender, Governance, Humanitarian Assistance, Livelihoods, Protection and Access to Justice
This policy brief explores the intersection of populism, post-truth politics, and disaster risk governance, with a focus on their impacts on marginalised groups. Populism, characterised by divisive rhetoric and prioritisation of short-term political gains, and post-truth politics, marked by the erosion of evidence-based decision-making, pose significant challenges to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Together, these dynamics have the potential to exacerbate inequalities, leaving at-risk populations such as ethnic & racial minorities, gender and sexual minorities, and informal workers disproportionately at risk from disasters.
Key issues discussed include the undermining of scientific process, knowledge and expertise, the weaponisation of divisive rhetoric, and the rollback of human rights and protections, all of which limit a truly inclusive disaster risk reduction (DRR) process. The misuse of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, is also examined, highlighting how digital inequalities reinforce existing vulnerabilities.
To address these challenges, the brief advocates for inclusive, evidence-based governance; concerted efforts to counter divisive rhetoric; safeguarding the rights of marginalised groups; and bridging digital divides between communities and nations. Strengthening disaster risk governance requires prioritising equity and resilience, with an emphasis on rights-based approaches and the active participation of vulnerable communities.