Showing papers on "Natural disaster published in 1987"

A Chronic Technical Disaster And The Irrelevance of Religious Meaning: The Case of Centralia, Pennsylvania*

Abstract: lasted a long time, was caused by human beings, and required sophisticated technical apparatus to detect and abate. In addition, the patterns of victimization associated with the chronic technical disaster are different from those resulting from immediate impact natural disasters. These differences resulted in the acceptance of a technical, not moral or religious, definition of the problem. Implications of this for religion's response to other chronic technical disaster situations are discussed. People have been coping with natural disasters for millenia. It is not surprising that the word "disaster" is associated with catastrophies that strike swiftly and disappear, leaving in their wake destruction, injury and perhaps death. Natural disasters are part of our commonsense thinking about catastrophic events. A hard rain causes a "flash" flood, a hurricane "pounds" a shoreline, a tornado "strikes." The language of the immediate impact disaster typifies these events as discrete, relatively quick and devastating interruptions of the normal course of affairs. Research on the preparedness of religion to respond to natural disasters and catastrophic events has shown that local religious organizations and personal faith have been instrumental in providing physical, emotional and spiritual aid to victims and their communities (Ross, 1980; Smith, 1978). A considerable portion of this research has focused on survivors' use of religious meaning to interpret their experiences of disaster events. Dynes and Yutzy, for example, have suggested how natural disasters are readily

Responses to natural disasters

Abstract: Since 1964, natural disasters caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or extreme weather in the form of floods, droughts, or hurricanes, have been responsible for more than 2,756,000 deaths worldwide in nations other than the United States, the Soviet Union, and the Eastern European Bloc, according to figures tabulated by the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) of the Agency for International Development (AID). Over 95% of these fatalities occurred in developing or third world countries. Damage resulting from these calamities has been severe but extremely difficult to estimate in monetary terms. In 1986, U.S. government and voluntary agencies spent $303 million on natural disaster assistance around the world, 79% of total world assistance. In 1985 the U.S. total was nearly $900 million, 48% of the $1.84 billion world total.

Contrasting Local Government Responses to a Tornado Disaster in Two Communities

Abstract: In the United States, immediate post-impact response activities in natural disasters are normally the responsibility of local government. Federal and state governments provide supplemental assistance, primarily in the form of financial subsidies for long-term recovery. An entirely different pattern of disaster response emerged as two adjacent communities struggled to deal with the effects of the same damaging tornado. In one community the response was directed entirely by the city manager, but in the other emergency activities were personally directed by the state's governor without any pretext of local control. This paper examines the formal structure of the two local governments and their histories of inter-governmental relationships with the state in an effort to account for the unique pattern.

Disaster in the South Pacific: Impact of tropical cyclone “Namu” on the Solomon Islands, May 1986

Abstract: Tropical Cyclone “Namu” struck the Pacific nation of the Solomon Islands during 18-20th May 1986. It was sthe most serious natural disaster in the Solomons in lining memory. Nearly a third of the total population of 267,000 were diriven from their homes and 150 people were killed, with damage estimates beginning in AUD 25 million. It has been estimated by the Solomon Islands Ministry of Economic Planning that it will take seven years for the economy to recover. This paper discusses the major events of the disaster episode by employing the Powell and Rayner model of “disaster-time.” Factors relating to current disaster Planning and management within the Solomon Islands are outlined. The paper also highlights assistance provided by Australla during the Post-impact sequence and illustrates the type of general disaster preparatory support which Australia provides to South pacific.

Fiji, land of tropical cyclones and hurricanes: A case study of agricultural rehabilitation

Abstract: Tropical cyclones and hurricanes have a severe impact on the social and economic activities of affected communities. For small island nations in the Pacific region, the effects can be devastating because of their smallness. FQi and several other countries in the region are vulnerable to such disasters as they are situated in the zone where cyclones occur frequently. During the last decade, the frequency of natural disasters and their adverse impact on die economic and social development of small nations like Fiji, has aroused awareness mat relief efforts must go beyond immediate “mopping up” operations to those which contribute to attaining longer term benefits through reconstruction and rehabilitation. The paper outlines the 1985 agricultural rehabilitation program and discusses related issues and problems.