Showing papers on "Natural disaster published in 1995"

Corporate support in the aftermath of a natural disaster: Effects on employee strains

Abstract: Relief services provided by corporations to employees following a natural disaster were expected to be associated with reduced levels of employee strains. Data from 143 hurricane victims partially ...

Crisis intervention with survivors of natural disaster: Lessons from Hurricane Andrew.

Abstract: Crisis intervention has typically been conceptualized as seeking a return of clients to a state of equilibrium. Our work with Hurricane Andrew survivors in south Florida, as part of the Disaster Mental Health Services team of the American Red Cross, has led us to appreciate the importance of several further considerations. In our work, we developed a proactive approach, attempting to recognize and extend clients' preexisting strengths. We offer a number of pragmatic interventions, focusing particularly on children's issues and we draw attention to sensitive multicultural issues.

A survey of the field of natural hazards and disaster studies

Abstract: The geographical and temporal patterns of disasters are first described and then considered in terms of the underpinnings and causes of human vulnerability. These include population increase, marginalization, the militarization of vulnerable societies, the politicization of aid, the accumulation of capital goods, and the dual role of technology as a source of both vulnerability and mitigation. Some of the bases of theory in hazards studies are reviewed and considered in the light of the development gap in mitigation — the wide gulf between the vulnerability of industrialized and least developed countries. The phenomenon of disaster is considered theoretically in terms of its fundamental dimensions: time, space, magnitude and intensity. Finally, the various disciplinary contributions to disaster studies are assessed and compared. Reasons are given for practitioners’ reluctance to undertake interdisciplinary work.

Disasters in Bangladesh

Abstract: This paper deals with various types of natural disasters which occur very frequently in Bangladesh. Disaster can occur at any time, in any place, in any dimension, and may owe as much to the circumstances as to the scale of the event. With the exception of the man-made disaster of war, famine, fire, pollution, accident and civil strife, the worst disasters follow natural events. Bangladesh is widely known as a land of natural disasters and is highly vulnerable to flood, cyclone and river erosion. By the effects of these disasters the country is now permanently in distress. These disasters have become a regular phenomenon and cause suffering to millions of people of the country since many decades. Besides, it also focuses on policy options concerning disaster management.

Competing constructions of calamity: The April 1991 Bangladesh cyclone

Abstract: On April 30, 1991, a cyclone of unusual intensity hit the coastline of Bangladesh, causing over one hundred thousand deaths and widespread property damage. An international debate ensued over whether the disaster was due to natural phenomena and should be addressed by relief measures, or whether it was due to social, economic, and political factors and should be addressed by structural change in society. This study explores the dimensions of this debate by means of a content analysis of accounts of the cyclone by the Bangladesh media and government, and by the international media and scholarly community. Bangladeshi accounts of the cyclone emphasize its purported inevitability and natural origins. However, scholars maintain that while cyclones are inevitable, disasters such as occurred in April 1991 are not: they are a function of the historically increasing socioeconomic vulnerability of the Bangladesh population. According to this view, the “natural disaster” of April 1991 could more accurately be called a “social or political disaster.” The factor chiefly responsible for transforming natural disasters into sociopolitical disasters is occupation of hazardous areas. The Bangladesh media and government suggest that the cyclone's impact was worsened by the irrational behavior of individuals and the limited resources of the nation. Non-Bangladeshi accounts focus instead on the poverty of individuals and the structural inequities of society, which compel people to live in hazardous areas. Bangladeshi accounts attempted to link the cyclone to global warming and the greenhouse gas emissions of the industrialized nations, thus shifting the focus from internal problems of structure and equity to international problems of structure and equity. Debates such as this promise to become more common, as the global environment becomes increasingly “post-natural” and the framing of relations between population and environment is increasingly contested.

Hydrometeorological aspects of flood hazards in Canada

Abstract: Floods are major natural disasters in Canada and worldwide. Although technology has reduced the flood hazard in many areas, the world death toll from floods in recent decades still has averaged 4680 per year. During the summer of 1993, flooding in the U.S.A. caused an estimated $12 billion damage. These statistics confirm that floods are a major natural disaster. This paper reviews the hydrometeorological aspects of the hazard associated with rainstorm, urban, ice‐jam, and snowmelt floods. The hazard element is highest for floods with rapid onsets such as rainstorm, urban, and ice‐jam floods. Although snowmelt floods are common throughout Canada, their slower onset times reduce their risk potential. To reduce the risk of the flood hazard, society must have access to statistical information for adequate planning and design, and forecasts for issuing warnings and implementing evacuation strategies. Flood design statistics and forecast models are discussed relative to each major flood type. The pape...

The Impact of Natural Hazards on Socio-Economic Development in Costa Rica

Abstract: Important contributions in identifying natural hazards and vulnerability in Costa Rica have been made by individuals and institutions; however, relatively little effort has been aimed towards prevention, preparedness and mitigation of natural disasters. Recognition and prevention campaigns which were initiated in the late 1980s and early 1990s lacked momentum and their benefits have vanished without the required continuity. Heavy economic losses caused by natural disasters such as the Limon-Telire earthquake (April 22, 1991; Mw = 7.6; 5 to 8.5 percent of 1991 Gross National Product, GNP) and a GNP loss average of close to 2 percent/year (around U. S. $2 billion between 1988 and 1993) should be a testimonial motivation to reinitiate and improve a general preventive and mitigative program for natural hazards. Essential elements in this program are planning and land-use zonation endeavors, design and implementation of expedite information flux systems, educational programs for students, as well as the general public, and sponsorship for multi-disciplinary technical groups. The image and credibility of organizations such as Comision Nacional de Emergencia (CNE) should be appraised and strengthened, working with specific communities upon which situations urgently require help in the natural hazards field.

The World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction

Abstract: The Japanese government and the city of Yokohama hosted the World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction to assess progress midway through the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) and to chart its future course. This World Conference provided an opportunity to examine disaster mitigation and other issues directly related to the achievement of the Decade's aims and many delegates from different countries participated in the event.

Towards a Redefinition of Security in Central America: The Case of Natural Disasters

Abstract: Over the past 25 years Central America has suffered a number of major disasters: the Managua Earthquake (1972), Hurricane Fifi (1974), the Guatemalan Earthquake (1976), the San Salvador Earthquake (1986) and Hurricane Joan (1988). These events are briefly described, with special reference to their political aspects and implications. Recognition of the political importance of disasters in Central America leads to a questioning of the traditional notion that security is essentially a matter of defending the state from outside aggression. It is suggested that the analysis of disasters should be part of the debate that is currently underway in international relations about redefining the concept of security in the post-Cold War world.

Measuring catastrophic events on operating viability of firms: hurricane hugo and hospitals

Abstract: It is important to be able to separate and analyze the effects of sudden changes in the operating environments of firms. Although man-made changes can be studied with the techniques employed in this paper, the effects of a natural disaster are examined here. A model is developed to isolate and make available for study the immediate, short-run and long-run effects of hurricane Hugo on hospitals in its path. This paper reports on the most seriously affected hospitals. Managers as well as regional and national policy makers should be able to isolate and examine the effects of important natural, administrative, and legislated changes in an industry's operating environment. This paper gives one example of how this may be accomplished.

Competing Constructions of Calamity: The April 1991 Bangladesh Cyclone

Abstract: On April 30, 1991, a cyclone of unusual intensity hit the coastline of Bangladesh, causing over one hundred thousand deaths and widespread property damage. An international debate ensued over whether the disaster was due to natural phenomena and should be addressed by relief measures, or whether it was due to social, economic, and political factors and should be addressed by structural change in society. This study explores the dimensions of this debate by means of a content analysis of accounts of the cyclone by the Bangladesh media and government, and by the international media and scholarly community.Bangladeshi accounts of the cyclone emphasize its purported inevitability and natural origins. However, scholars maintain that while cyclones are inevitable, disasters such as occurred in April 1991 are not: they are a function of the historically increasing socioeconomic vulnerability of the Bangladesh population. According to this view, the "natural disaster" of April 1991 could more accurately be called a "social or political disaster." The factor chiefly responsible for transforming natural disasters into sociopolitical disasters is population/resource pressure.The Bangladesh media and government suggest that the cyclone's impact was worsened by the irrational behavior of individuals and the limited resources of the nation. Non-Bangladeshi accounts focus instead on the poverty of individuals and the structural inequities of society, which compel people to live in hazardous areas. Bangladeshi accounts attempted to link the cyclone to global warming and the greenhouse gas emissions of the industrialized nations, thus shifting the focus from internal problems of structure and equity to international problems of structure and equity. Debates such as this promise to become more common, as the global environment becomes increasingly "post-natural" and the framing of relations between population and environment is increasingly contested.

An Overview: South Pacific Disaster Reduction Programme

Abstract: The South Pacific Disaster Reduction Programme (SPDRP) is helping Pacific Island Countries to mitigate effects of natural disasters by developing human resources and institutional capacity to reduce their impact. The project activities implemented by the SRDRP project team includes providing training and technical advice to government departments and non-government organisations on developing revising disaster plans and helping in development and implementation of national disaster mitigation and preparedness programmes.

Earthquakes and Seismic Hazards in Central America

Abstract: INTRODUCTION The high levels of seismicity and thus seismic hazard in Central America are evident from the regular occurrence of large earthquakes. The steadily increasing levels of seismic risk in the same region are demonstrated by increasing damage and losses from these earthquakes, connected in general to increasing urbanization and infrastructure complexity. As such Central America constitutes one of the most important regions to focus on under the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR), and there is now a substantial number of projects and programs in the region under IDNDR auspices. In this note we will describe some of the activities within and results from one of these projects, namely “Reduction of Natural Disaster in Central America, Earthquake Preparedness and Hazard Mitigation.” Building on a parallel Swedish effort, this project was set up in 1991 between Norway and the Central American countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa...

Natural disaster and household recovery in the aftermath of hurricane Andrew : a case study of four Hispanic households in South Miami Heights

Abstract: OF THE THESIS NATURAL DISASTER AND HOUSEHOLD RECOVERY IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE ANDREW: A CASE STUDY OF FOUR HISPANIC HOUSEHOLDS IN

Tri-lateral workshop on natural hazards: towards a comprehensive assessment of risks due to natural hazards, Canada - U.S.A. - Mexico

Abstract: This workshop was primarily motivated by the goals of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR), one of which is that each country should have a comprehensive national assessment of risks due to natural hazards by the year 2000. It was sponsored by the Environmental Adaptation Research Group (EARG) of Environment Canada, the International Partnerships of Environment Canada, the Geological Survey of Canada, Emergency Preparedness Canada and the Canadian National Committee of the IDNDR. The National Science Foundation of the U.S. and the Government of Mexico supported travel costs related to their delegates. The workshop dealt with both atmospheric hazards such as tornadoes and floods, and geological hazards such as earthquakes and landslides. Nine U.S., eight Mexican and 24 Canadian participants included academia, government and the private sector. Six projects were selected as being of joint interest to all three countries, with lead country and agencies identified for possible future cooperative work.

Technology transfer during the ``middle game`` of the international decade for natural disaster reduction

Abstract: This paper describes the urgency for and the importance of technology transfer during the remainder of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR). Eleven case histories are cited to illustrate the types of activities involving technology transfer that every nation can undertake.

Australian Involvement in South-west Pacific Disaster Management

Abstract: The impact of natural hazards on South-West Pacific countries with less concentration of population compared to Bangladesh and China is discussed. During disaster, the restricted links in these remote islands are frequently disrupted and hence survey teams might not be able to reach particular islands for some days of even weeks.

Reducing Societal Vulnerability to Drought:A Methodology

Abstract: Given worldwide experience with drought during the past several decades and the magnitude of associated impacts, it is apparent that vulnerability to extended periods of water shortage is escalating. Developing a national or provincial drought policy and preparedness plan is a complicated but essential first step toward reducing societal vulnerability. Until recently, nations had devoted little effort to drought preparedness, preferring instead the reactive or crisis management approach. Presently, an increasing number of nations are pursuing a more proactive approach that emphasizes the principles of risk management and sustainable development. Because of the multitude of impacts associated with drought and the numerous governmental agencies that have responsibility for some aspect of monitoring, assessment, mitigation, and planning, developing a policy and plan must be an integrated process within and between levels of government. This paper will outline a generic process that can be adopted by governments that desire to develop a more comprehensive and longterm approach to drought management and planning. Countries and states or provincial authorities that have adopted this approach will be presented as case studies. This process is timely, given the declaration of the 1990s as the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction and the recent International Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought (June, 1994), an offshoot of deliberations at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

Natural disasters housing damages and population redistribution: a case study of Hurricane Andrew.

Abstract: Hurricanes earthquakes floods tornadoes and other natural disasters strike with alarming frequency often leaving death and destruction in their wake. Many studies have considered the economic social and psychological consequences of these events but few have considered their demographic consequences. In this paper the authors describe a method for measuring and evaluating the effects of Hurricane Andrew on the housing stock and population distribution in Dade County Florida during the two years following the hurricane. Using information collected through a sample survey and existing data sources they investigate the extent of housing damages the number of people forced out of their homes where they went how long they stayed and whether they have returned to their pre-hurricane residences. This study provides a helpful overview of the demographic impact of Hurricane Andrew and offers methodological guidance to analysts studying the demographic effects of other large-scale natural disasters. (authors)

Natural hazards in the French West Indies : an overall view

Abstract: The aim or this paper is to give an overall view of the natural hazards and risks affecting the French West Indies. These are mainly connected with hurricanes, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes which have caused several deaths and seriously weakened the local economy during the last three centuries. First of all the geological and geographical conditions which determine the natural predisposition of the French West Indies to geophysical and atmospheric hazards are described. Then the risk for the population is taken into account, both in terms of' the direct effects of the above mentioned hazards and of the side-effects, that is tidal waves, floods and mass movements. Finally the economic and social impact of natural disasters on the French West Indies and the difficulties arising in risk mitigation are shown.

The Life-Saving Potential of Anaesthesiology in Burned patients; Classical Approaches and New Perspectives

Abstract: Burn and fire disasters, in spite of enormous technical progress, continue to be a real danger even in our days. They may take the form of a natural disaster, e.g. a volcanic eruption or a thunderbolt, or they may be man-made. They cause considerable material losses and mass burn casualties.

The Human and Economic Losses of Selected Natural Disasters in Latin America, 1970-1987

Abstract: Natural disasters are particularly devastating to the social and economic fabric of developing countries which lack sufficient resources and infrastructure to cope with these events. The coincidence of poverty along hurricane tracts, floodplains, volcanic arcs and seismic zones further exacerbates the problem and creates regional pockets of chronic stress.