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Showing papers on "Natural disaster published in 1997"


Posted Content
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a new form of federal reinsurance based on the auctioning of multiple peril catastrophe call spread options that cover industry losses in the range of $25 - $50 billion.
Abstract: A recent surge in natural disaster losses in the United States has created widespread disruptions in the property insurance market and generated calls for federal protection against natural disaster risk. This article examines the market for disaster insurance in the United States and finds that insurance markets are limited in their ability to intertemporally diversify catastrophic risk. In a targeted response, this article proposes a new form of federal reinsurance based on the auctioning of multiple peril catastrophe call spread options that cover industry losses in the range of $25 - $50 billion. This article argues that the sale of these catastrophe excess-of-loss contracts utilizes the unique intertemporal diversification capabilities of the federal government to expand the market for natural disaster risk while enhancing the private market equilibrium for insurance.

120 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the information requirements for disaster risk management, assess developing country capabilities for building the necessary decision support systems, and evaluate the role of satellite remote sensing, and conclude with suggestions and recommendations to establish a worldwide network of necessary space and ground segments towards strengthening the technological capabilities for disaster management and mitigation.

73 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper reviewed what is known about global responses to catastrophes and highlighted four major weaknesses of the relief and mitigation community that are frequently identified in the disaster studies literature: the violation of human rights, a low degree of relief co-ordination, difficulties and drawbacks of providing aid, and dilemmas of development.
Abstract: As the end of the United Nations International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction approaches it is necessary to review what is known about global responses to catastrophes. Discusses four major weaknesses of the relief and mitigation community that are frequently identified in the disaster studies literature: the violation of human rights, a low degree of relief co‐ordination, difficulties and drawbacks of providing aid, and dilemmas of development. Offers possible solutions for these challenges and also highlights the implications of the findings for research and application. Gives direction to both academics and practitioners who are interested in disaster relief and prevention around the world.

51 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: The International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) was launched by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1987 to run from 1990 to 2000 as mentioned in this paper, and its aim is to reduce the loss of life, property damage and social and economic disruption caused by natural disasters.
Abstract: The International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) was launched by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1987 to run from 1990 to 2000. Its aim is to reduce the loss of life, property damage and social and economic disruption caused by natural disasters. The resolution proclaiming the Decade makes specific reference to floods, tsunamis, drought and desertification among the principal disasters to be considered. Floods cause about one third of all deaths, one third of all injuries and one third of all damage from natural disasters. Tropical storms and droughts are the most destructive events and in them it is the flooding and a lack of water, respectively, which is the major feature. Water is therefore by far the most important element in natural disasters. The IDNDR calls for action by governments and international organizations to put greater emphasis than in the past on disaster prevention. Hydrologists, hydraulic engineers and those responsible for the management of land and water resources have a major role to play in this regard. The remaining few years of the Decade should be used to launch a new focus on disaster prevention as a central pillar of sustainable development in both developed and developing countries.

45 citations


Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1997
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review the definition and study of vulnerability from two perspectives, drawing on insights and lessons developed by researchers over the past twenty-five years, and make an appeal for a more evenhanded (or objective) consideration of the factors that give rise to vulnerability.
Abstract: Differences in research emphases into the impacts and management of natural hazards have, for the most part, resulted from two fundamentally different views environment-society relationships. In one view, a self-correcting, homeostatic process operates, in which society and environmental hazards are inexorably adjusted, toward some acceptable equilibrium. This view infers that people and institutions are committed to removing known risks from life and fail to do so only where the risk is highly uncertain. Proponents of a second view argue that vulnerability is constructed from an open-ended development process that determines the ways in which a hazard is likely to constitute a disaster. The fact that aggregate economic losses to hurricane impacts are increasing is well documented. Cases, taken from the hurricane-hazard and recent development experience in the Greater Caribbean Basin, illustrate that the progression of vulnerability cannot be addressed outside of the context of social and economic trends that play significant roles in determining “Who is vulnerable and why”. An appeal is made here, for a more evenhanded (or objective) consideration of the factors that give rise to vulnerability. Political ecology provides a framework for understanding and integrating the social construction of vulnerability and climatic risk. It reflects the confluence of political economy and human ecology and refers to ways in which vulnerability is rooted in people, values, institutions, and the environment. We review the definition and study of vulnerability from these perspectives, drawing on insights and lessons developed by researchers over the past twenty-five years. These lessons are especially immediate as programs for hazard reduction and sustainable development, such as the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, are being designed, implemented, and evaluated.

34 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 1997-Mausam
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the major components of risk assessment, viz., (i) inventory of cyclones with associated causes of hazards, (ii) analysis of damages and inventory of elements at risk and (iii) vulnerability analysis with special reference to Bangladesh.
Abstract: Tropical cyclones are regarded as the most deadly among all natural disasters. They bring catastrophic ravages to life and property as well as to environment. Among all the areas in the world affected by tropical cyclones, the countries along the rim of the Bay of Bengal suffer most and Bangladesh is the worst sufferer. In order to minimise the future loss of life and property, proper cyclone disaster management action is an absolute necessity. This, in turn, requires a better assessment of risks associated with a cyclone. The present paper discusses the major components of risk assessment, viz., (i) inventory of cyclones with associated causes of hazards, (ii) analysis of damages and inventory of elements at risk and (iii) vulnerability analysis with special reference to Bangladesh. Inventory of cyclones deals with the cyclone climatology in the Bay of Bengal region over the period 1881-1990. Discussions on causes of hazards cover strong winds. storm surges, rainfall. socio-economic factors, greenhouse effects, etc. An idea about the degree of cyclone damages and the elements at risks in Bangladesh is given. Some discussions on vulnerability analysis and risk reduction/mitigation with a few case studies in Bangladesh are made. Finally few recommendations are put forward.

33 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article identified three variables that constrain the risk and ritual orientations of natural disaster discourses: time, space and mythology, and explained why drought has a unique place among Australian natural disasters as the generator of a national solidaristic narrative.
Abstract: This research note builds upon our recent publication in this journal entitled 'Drought, Discourse and Durkheim' (West and Smith 1996) Drawing upon Robert Merton's methodological recommendation that functionalist research should explore possible functional alternatives, we examine discourses surrounding Australian natural disasters other than drought: floods, earthquakes, cyclones and bushfires The paper identifies three variables that constrain the risk and ritual orientations of natural disaster discourses—time, space and mythology These variables explain why drought has a unique place among Australian natural disasters as the generator of a national solidaristic narrative

18 citations


Book
05 Feb 1997
TL;DR: A Primer for Social Work Research on Natural Disasters: Implications of Social Work Practice as discussed by the authors, and Research as Social Action in the Aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in the US.
Abstract: Contents Introduction * Disaster Research in Social Work * A Primer for Social Work Research on Disaster * Predictors of Rural Community Survival After Natural Disaster: Implications for Social Work Practice * Research as Social Action in the Aftermath of Hurricane Andrew * Community Responses to Chronic Technological Disaster: The Case of the Pigeon River * Social Vulnerability to Toxic Risk * Inter-Agency Collaboration and Hazards Education in American Communities * Reference Notes Included

18 citations


01 Jan 1997
TL;DR: The 1996 ASCE International Conference and Exposition on Natural Disaster Reduction (ASCE NDE) as mentioned in this paper was held in Washington, D.C., December 3-5, 1996.
Abstract: These proceedings contains the summaries of the presentations at the 1996 ASCE International Conference and Exposition on Natural Disaster Reduction held in Washington, D.C., December 3-5, 1996. The objective of this conference was to promote and assess the role of civil engineering through its interaction with other engineering disciplines, sciences, and others, in preventing, mitigating, preparing for, and recovering from natural disaster impacts on the built and natural environments, including socio-economic, political, public health, and institutional considerations. Types of natural disasters included were earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, tsunamis, landslides, wildfires, hail, etc. The summaries were organized into over forty sessions to cover seven program areas: hazard identification, vulnerability assessment, risk, management, mitigation, education, institutional issues, and response and recovery. Each program area began with a Topic Overview, intended to provide a state-of-the-art assessment in that area.

12 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the complexity of the consequences and impact of conflicts in Africa is discussed and the challenges with regard to responses are examined, and the authors look at the complex causes of the conflicts themselves and, finally, examine challenges with regards to responses.
Abstract: This paper reflects on African conflicts as compound disasters. A compound disaster is defined as an emergency situation with adverse consequences resulting from different, but related, disaster-agents (ICLA, 1996). In a natural disaster situation, for instance, an earthquake that is quickly followed by a fire outbreak, gas leakage, the disruption of water supply and the outbreak of water-borne diseases, would be regarded as a compound disaster. Similarly, armed conflicts trigger a chain of consequences. The focus of this paper is the complexity of the consequences and impact of conflicts in Africa. To a lesser extent, the paper looks at the complex causes of the conflicts themselves and, finally, examines challenges with regard to responses.

12 citations


01 Jan 1997
TL;DR: The authors provided background material for the oral comments made at the session on Interrelationships between Natural and Technological Disasters held at the World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction in Yokohama, Japan on May 25, 1994.
Abstract: *An earlier version of this paper was written to provide background material for the oral comments made at the session on Inter-relationships Between Natural and Technological Disasters held at the World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction in Yokohama, Japan on May 25, 1994.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: YOJANA March 2012 ISASTER is defined as a situation in which the normal pattern of life or ecosystem has been disrupted and extraordinary emergency interventions are required to save and preserve lives and or the environment as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: YOJANA March 2012 ISASTER IS defined as ‘Catastrophic situation in which the normal pattern of life or ecosystem has been disrupted and extraordinary emergency interventions are required to save and preserve lives and or the environment’ (Ministry of Home Affairs, 2011). The Disaster Management Act has included man-made disasters also and defines disaster as ‘a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man made causes or by accident or negligence which result in substantial loss of life or human sufferings or damage to, and destruction of, property or damage to, or degradation of environment and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of an affected area’.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, with the wheels of federal relief turning ever so slowly, President George Bush arrived in Florida and told people that it was a bad idea to "play the blame game" as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, with the wheels of federal relief turning ever so slowly, President George Bush arrived in Florida and told people that it was a bad idea to "play the blame game." In one respect, Newsweek reported, everyone could agree with the president. "Andrew was what the insurance companies call 'an act of God,' a happening for which no mere human can be held to account." And yet the blame game continued, with angry politicians demanding more and faster federal relief aid, second-guessing the level of community preparedness, and intimating that someone should have forecast the hurricane earlier. Unable to stomach any more finger-pointing, the author Glenn Garvin of Coral Gables wrote in an op-ed piece for the New York Times that "the hysterical hunt for the guilty in the wake of a natural disaster seems to be a peculiarly American phenomenon.", This statement implied that it would be better to adopt a calmer approach to the disaster, to take it in stride, perhaps to see it as an act of God or nature. In such a view, there is no need to play the blame game because no one could be held responsible for the disaster. Yet the question persists: Who or what was really responsible for the 1992 hurricane disaster in south Florida? Was it all or mostly the fault of nature or God? Obviously, the hurricane itself, which triggered the destruction, was a natural event. Or was it? Newsweek, as indicated above, declared the hurricane "an act of God." But in a brief sidebar, the magazine noted that human-induced global warming may have helped to increase the intensity of the storm. Evidently, Andrew was a postmodern disaster, without any single, definitive cause. Still, given the relative positioning of the two articles and the way the magazine underscored the storm as an act of God, the editors were clearly more impressed with the naturalness of the event.2 The opinions of Newsweek's editors aside, there is no questioning the role that human social and economic forces-poorly enforced building codes, low federal standards for mobile homes, eviscerated zoning laws-played in the calamity. Most students of natural disaster would agree that events like Hurricane Andrew

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compare relatively disjointed federal policy dealing with the hurricane hazard with more coordinated federal policies dealing with earthquakes and assess the potential for a more comprehensive national policy to deal with hurricane hazard.
Abstract: This article contrasts relatively disjointed federal policy dealing with the hurricane hazard with more coordinated federal policy dealing with earthquakes. A comparison between the two hazards is appropriate because of important similarities. However, significant differences between these disasters make the creation of national policy dealing with the hurricane hazard more difficult. These differences include distinctive features of the hurricane hazard and, in particular, features of the policy community that works on the hurricane hazard. Differences between the earthquake and hurricane policy communities reveal the factors that inhibit policymaking. Prospects for a more comprehensive national policy to deal with the hurricane hazard are assessed.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present case scenarios of communities that have risen to challenge Mother Nature with comprehensive emergency preparedness plans to become "disaster-resistant" communities, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will promote community responsibility by establishing disaster-resistant communities in high-risk areas across the nation.
Abstract: Earthquakes, fires, and floods can devastate communities in a matter of minutes, hours, or days. The cost of these and other natural disasters has quadrupled in the last 5 years. This article presents case scenarios of communities that have risen to challenge Mother Nature with comprehensive emergency preparedness plans to become "disaster-resistant" communities. Rebuilding infrastructure, such as schools and roads and bridges, accounts for two-thirds of disaster assistance spending. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will promote, over the next 4 years, community responsibility by establishing disaster-resistant communities in high-risk areas across the nation.

ReportDOI
21 Apr 1997
TL;DR: A workshop on Reduction and Predictability of Natural Disasters was held at the Santa Fe Institute on January 5-9, 1994 as discussed by the authors, which brought together 25 geologists, geophysicists, hydrologists, physicists, and mathematicians.
Abstract: Natural hazards such as earthquakes and severe floods are a continual menace to large segments of the population worldwide. Recently the United Nations has focused attention on this global problem by declaring the 90`s the Decade of Natural Hazard Reduction. In addition to the obvious threat to human life natural hazards can cause severe economic hardship locally and, in an ever more complex and interactive world economy, dislocations that are felt in areas far beyond the region of a specific event. To address these concerns a workshop on Reduction and Predictability of Natural Disasters was held at the Santa Fe Institute on January 5--9, 1994. The Santa Fe Institute was originally founded in 1985 to study the emergent properties of complex nonlinear systems seen in a diversity of fields, from physical science to economics to biology. During the workshop, which brought together 25 geologists, geophysicists, hydrologists, physicists, and mathematicians, a wide variety of natural disasters and hazards were considered. These include earthquakes, landslides, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, and tornadoes. The general them of the meeting was the application of the techniques of statistical mechanics to problems in the earth sciences.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The NorAid system is equipment composed to provide PHC, with special emphasis on vulnerable groups e.g., women and children, which already has been used in many countries, and has been found to be relevant, practical, and relatively cheap compared to the benefits achieved.
Abstract: When the infrastructure in a community is destroyed by manmade or natural disaster, even the simplest health services may be difficult to maintain. By the Alma Ata declaration, the World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed, "Health for all by the year 2000." The program is designed to cover the basic health needs as defined by the Primary Health Care (PHC) system. Therefore, a most important issue in a disaster, is to support, maintain, and rebuild the PHC system, to secure the population's basic health services. Relevant and rapid aid is of great importance in disaster. The physical and psychological strain caused by disaster will increase the need for medical care compared to that during normal times. Child mortality and maternal complications will rise, Many of the 12 million children, who die every year, die as a result of war, refugee conditions, and/or other types of disaster. The NorAid system is equipment composed to provide PHC, with special emphasis on vulnerable groups e.g., women and children. Provided the medical skills are available, it also may function as a hospital. The system already has been used in many countries, and has been found to be relevant, practical, and relatively cheap compared to the benefits achieved.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors propose that the GDOS system would be realized though international cooperation to specifically focus on disaster observation, and would considerably contribute to disaster mitigation worldwide by its integration with conventional disaster prevention systems.

Posted Content
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss some of the issues that the Reserve Bank would have to address in the event of a major natural disaster disrupting the New Zealand economy and financial markets.
Abstract: This article discusses some of the issues that the Reserve Bank would have to address in the event of a major natural disaster disrupting the New Zealand economy and financial markets

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a method to solve the problem of how to improve the quality of data in the context of data collection in a data-driven manner by using a data aggregation system.
Abstract: 我が国は気象条件や地質 ・地形条件の上か ら,自 然に災害に見まわれやす く,各 種の社会資本整備を 防災の観点から評価することが不可欠であるとい う 見解には社会のほぼすべての構成員が合意すると言 える.し かし,そ のような合意があるにせよ,防 災 のために我々の有 しているすべての経済資源を投入 できない以上,防 災投資事業に対 しては費用便益分 析を実施 して合理的な評価を行 う必要がある.周 知 のように,1995年1月 の阪神 ・淡路大震災は防災投 資事業への社会的関心を再び大きく呼び起こし,今 後の防災投資のあり方についての多くの議論を喚起 している.そ の中には,防 災投資事業の評価論が話 題 となる場合も見受けられるが,筆 者の見る限りで は,残 念ながら明確な理論フレームを欠いたものが 多いように思われる. 費用便益分析は,そ の手法の発展 と適用例の蓄積 の経緯から見ると,ダ ム事業を典型例 として防災事 業もその対象としてきた.し か し,実 務 レベルでの 適用方法を概観すると,そ の理論的基盤が不明確な ものがあり,そ れゆえ,実 際の計測手法の妥当性に ついて判断するのが困難な場合もある. 本稿は,防 災投資の便益評価のための理論的フレ ームの構築とそれに基づく計画手法の開発を目指 し て,筆 者及びその研究グループが行っている研究に ついて報告することを意図している.無 論,そ の中 にはサブテーマ となる数多くの話題が含まれてお り, その全てについて成果が得られているわけではなく, また,一 応の成果が得られているものに限ったとし ても,紙 面の都合上,そ の全てを紹介することはで きない.そ こで,本 稿では,次 の2点 に話題を限定 して報告したい. 第一は,災 害およびそれによる被害は,あ る空間 の中で常に均質に発生す る訳でない点である.あ る 場所は災害について非常に危険であっても,他 の場 所ではさほど危険でないといったように異なってい るのが一般的である.自 然災害は空間において一様 ではなく場所毎に異なる現象,す なわち,本 質的に location-specificな 現象である.従 来の不確実性(あ るいは リスク)を取 り扱った多くの経済理論におい てはこの点が看過されてきたように見受けられる. そこで,防 災投資の便益評価を考えるに当たっては 環境の不確実性を伴った空間経済システムをモデル 化 し,その文脈において議論を展開する必要がある. 具体的には,立 地場所の属性の相違はそこで経済主 体が享受できる効用(利潤)に反映され,最 終的には立 地選択行動を規定することになる.そ のため,防 災 投資の便益を定義するに際 しては,そ れが立地選択 行動 と整合的であることが必要である. 第二は,災 害の発生時には,各 種施設の破壊 ・破 損によって,平 常時 と同 じように経済活動を営むの は困難であ り,そ のため,財 の需給の不一致が生 じ たいわゆる不均衡経済状態に陥るのが一般的である と考えられる点である.そ のため,こ れまでのワル ラス的一般均衡理論に依拠した経済モデルでは必ず しも災害時の経済状況を表現することができず,防 災投資の便益評価を行 うに当たっては,不 均衡経済 モデルの開発が必要になる.ま た,一 般均衡分析に よる社会資本整備評価の各種手法が現在よ うやく実 務 レベルにも普及 してい く段階に入 りつつあること を考えても,理 論的な研究課題 としてまさに不均衡 分析に取 り組むべき時期であると考えられる. *

Posted Content
TL;DR: In this article, an economist's overview of what he saw in Kobe 19 months after the 1995 Kobe earthquake and what he learned during the ensuing 6 months is presented. But the analysis of the economic impact of the Kobe earthquake is limited.
Abstract: The earthquake that struck the Japanese port city of Kobe on January 17, 1995, was the most severe quake ever to strike a modern urban area. It has become the most studied, analyzed, and discussed natural disaster in history. What I propose to add to this dialogue is an economist's overview of what he saw in Kobe 19 months after the event and what he learned during the ensuing 6 months.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the authors give the historical backgound of seismicity of Turkey while its legistlative responses, especially the code of practice against eartquake disasters will be mentioned in detail.
Abstract: Turkey ranks high among countries which have suffered significant losses of life and property due to earthquakes and other forms of natural disasters. This has led to the acquisition of a long standing experience and practice in disaster management, culminating in 1959 of establishing a ministry to handle all disaster related matters. The primary form of natural disasters in Turkey is the earthquake because of its geological and topographical features. It is located in one the most seismic continental regions of the world. This paper aims to give the historical backgound of seismicity of Turkey while its legistlative responses, especially the code of practice against eartquake disasters will be mentioned in detail.



Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1997
TL;DR: Recently, Japan has had three serious natural disasters: the eruption of Mt. Unzen-Fugendake, starting in 1990, the tsunami caused by Hokkaido Southwest, Earthquake in 1993; and the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995.
Abstract: Recently, Japan has had three serious natural disasters: the eruption of Mt. Unzen-Fugendake, starting in 1990, the tsunami caused by Hokkaido Southwest, Earthquake in 1993; and the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. Natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions sometimes cause a large number of people, many of whom have lived all their lives in one place, to be uprooted from homes and familiar surroundings (e. g., Miura, 1995).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The information gained from the Northridge Earthquake and the lesson learned by the City of Los Angeles and its surrounding areas can be of great value to jurisdictions around the world in planning and preparing for future disaster and emergency situations.
Abstract: A successful disaster response depends greatly on how well and how quickly resources can be mobilized and allocated. To do this effectively, there must be a system in place that can collect, prepare and send the resources; and a system at the other end that can effectively receive and deploy them. The information gained from the Northridge Earthquake and the lesson learned by the City of Los Angeles and its surrounding areas can be of great value to jurisdictions around the world in planning and preparing for future disaster and emergency situations.

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1997
TL;DR: There are now many government and non-government organizations that provide prompt medical relief at both national and international levels that include more rapid response in an attempt to mitigate the early casualty tolls.
Abstract: In the last two decades, 3 million people have died in natural disasters including earthquakes in Armenia, Turkey and the Philippines, floods in Bangladesh, and hurricanes in the Caribbean. Superimposed on this toll have been terrible man-made tragedies including wars in Yugoslavia, Rwanda, and Cheznya, terrorist bombings over Scotland and in New York, and industrial accidents in Bhopal and Chernobyl. In an attempt to focus attention on these tragedies, the United Nations has declared the 1990’s the International Decade of Disaster Reduction. There are now many government and non-government organizations that provide prompt medical relief at both national and international levels. This aid has expanded not only to include the traditional provision of supplies and equipment in the aftermath of a disaster but also to include more rapid response in an attempt to mitigate the early casualty tolls. There has also been considerable expansion in the field of disaster medicine research, exploring the ways in which injuries are sustained and the feasibility of alternative approaches to disaster mitigation.