Showing papers on "Natural disaster published in 2010"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the origin of resilience and provide an overview of its development to date, which draws on the wide literature on ecological science, social science, environmental system and natural hazards.
Abstract: Resilience is increasingly used as an approach for understanding the dynamics of natural disaster systems. This article presents the origin of resilience and provides an overview of its development to date, which draws on the wide literature on ecological science, social science, social–environmental system and natural hazards. From a geographic perspective, the model of disaster resilience of “Loss–Response” of Location (DRLRL) was created and disaster resilience was defined from three dimensional mode, which focused on the spatial, temporal scale of resilience and attributes of hazard-affected bodies. A geographic approach was put forward to measure the disaster resilience, including two properties of inherent resilience and adaptive resilience and a case study was implemented in order to validate this approach. This perspective would offer greater potential in application of resilience concept, especially in the process of integrated risk management and disaster recovery.
372 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a legacy of geographical research on the political causes and consequences of disaster is reviewed and built on to formulate a framework for the analysis of post-disaster political space.
Abstract: Calls from the climate change community and a more widespread concern for human security have reawakened the interest of geographers and others in disaster politics. A legacy of geographical research on the political causes and consequences of disaster is reviewed and built on to formulate a framework for the analysis of post-disaster political space. This is constructed around the notion of a contested social contract. The Marmara earthquake, Turkey, is used to illustrate the framework and provide empirical detail on the multiple scales and time phasing of post-disaster political change. Priorities for a future research agenda in disaster politics are proposed.
371 citations
TL;DR: This paper provides a framework for assessing empirical patterns of urban disaster recovery through the use of statistical indicators and indicates that while aggregate population regained pre-disaster levels in ten years, population had shifted away from the older urban core.
Abstract: This paper provides a framework for assessing empirical patterns of urban disaster recovery through the use of statistical indicators. Such a framework is needed to develop systematic knowledge on how cities recover from disasters. The proposed framework addresses such issues as defining recovery, filtering out exogenous influences unrelated to the disaster, and making comparisons across disparate areas or events. It is applied to document how Kobe City, Japan, recovered from the catastrophic 1995 earthquake. Findings indicate that while aggregate population regained pre-disaster levels in ten years, population had shifted away from the older urban core. Economic recovery was characterised by a three to four year temporary boost in reconstruction activities, followed by settlement at a level some ten per cent below pre-disaster levels. Other long-term effects included substantial losses of port activity and sectoral shifts toward services and large businesses. These patterns of change and disparity generally accelerated pre-disaster trends.
335 citations
TL;DR: This study recommends that disaster reduction programmes encourage cyclone mitigation while being aware of localised realities, endogenous risk analyses, and coping and adaptation of affected communities (as active survivors rather than helpless victims).
Abstract: For generations, cyclones and tidal surges have frequently devastated lives and property in coastal and island Bangladesh. This study explores vulnerability to cyclone hazards using first-hand coping recollections from prior to, during and after these events. Qualitative field data suggest that, beyond extreme cyclone forces, localised vulnerability is defined in terms of response processes, infrastructure, socially uneven exposure, settlement development patterns, and livelihoods. Prior to cyclones, religious activities increase and people try to save food and valuable possessions. Those in dispersed settlements who fail to reach cyclone shelters take refuge in thatched-roof houses and big-branch trees. However, women and children are affected more despite the modification of traditional hierarchies during cyclone periods. Instinctive survival strategies and intra-community cooperation improve coping post cyclone. This study recommends that disaster reduction programmes encourage cyclone mitigation while being aware of localised realities, endogenous risk analyses, and coping and adaptation of affected communities (as active survivors rather than helpless victims).
210 citations
TL;DR: Masten et al. as discussed by the authors focused on the impact of natural and human-made disasters on the development of children and their families, and provided an opportunity for researchers around the world to examine how disasters of nature and human design might affect children of different ages, experiences, cultures, and contexts.
Abstract: Disasters touch the lives of millions of children every year in many forms. These include natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, or floods; human-made disasters of armed conflict, genocide, industrial accidents, or terrorism; and disease outbreaks. Interest in the impact of disasters on children among scientists dates back decades to the beginnings of research into risk and resilience in development (Garmezy, 1985; Garmezy & Rutter, 1983). For many years, only a small number of scattered studies of disasters were published on young people, often in the wake of a major catastrophe, such as the Buffalo Creek disaster (Erikson, 1978; Green et al., 1991; Newman, 1976), World War II and the Holocaust (Freud & Burlingham, 1943; Moscovitz, 1985), or a major fire (McFarlane, 1987). In the beginning of the 21st century, with the rise in international terrorism, concerns about flu pandemic, an alarming sequence of natural and human-designed disasters around the world, and globalization of media coverage, there is increasing attention to the consequences of disaster for children and youth (La Greca, Silverman, Vernberg, & Roberts, 2002; Masten & Obradovic, 2008; Osofsky, Osofsky, & Harris, 2007; Sagi-Schwarz, Seginer, & Abdeen, 2008). Research into disasters has accelerated despite inherent difficulties in conducting research in the context of catastrophic events. Given the importance of understanding how different types of disasters may impact development for children and families, it was timely to devote a special section of this journal to the impact of disasters on child development. The goal of the special section on disasters and child development was to provide an opportunity for researchers around the world to examine how disasters of nature and human design might affect children of different ages, experiences, cultures, and contexts, as well as how exposure to a disaster may alter developmental processes or developmental trajectories. Potential contributors were invited to submit a letter of intent by January 15, 2008, and 67 letters for different possible contributions were received. We invited 39 potential contributors to submit full manuscripts for review by May 1, 2008. The 15 articles comprising this special section represent 22% of the submitted letters of intent and 45% of the manuscripts that were submitted for review. The process of review was complicated by the diversity of the submissions in terms of disaster types and contexts, ages of disaster victims, nationality of authors, disciplinary approach, methods, and focus of the articles (e.g., empirical, conceptual, review, commentary). As editors for this special section, we strove to capture a broad representation of contemporary international scholarship from among the submissions that would reflect the diversity in the field. We were well aware of the challenges of conducting research in the context of disaster (discussed further below) and the constraints posed by ethical and practical dilemmas. In some cases, a study represents rare data obtained by methods that may not meet typical standards of scientific rigor because of the study context (e.g., naturalistic studies in the field or remote locations after a disaster). In all cases, we based the editorial decisions on our judgment of the potential value and unique contribution of the article in the context of current knowledge. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Ann S. Masten, University of Minnesota, 51 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, or Joy D. Osofsky, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1542 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112. Electronic mail may be sent to amasten@ umn.edu or josofs@lsuhsc.edu. Child Development, July/August 2010, Volume 81, Number 4, Pages 1029–1039
210 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the main indirect consequences of a disaster and the following reconstruction phase, and the economic mechanisms at play are discussed and a review of available methodologies to assess indirect economic consequences, illustrated with examples from the literature.
Abstract: Large-scale disasters regularly affect societies over the globe, causing large destruction and damage After each of these events, media, insurance companies, and international institutions publish numerous assessments of the cost of the disaster However these assessments are based on different methodologies and approaches, and they often reach different results Besides methodological differences, these discrepancies are due to the multi-dimensionality in disaster impacts and their large redistributive effects, which make it unclear what is included in the estimates But most importantly, the purpose of these assessments is rarely specified, although different purposes correspond to different perimeters of analysis and different definitions of what a cost is To clarify this situation, this paper proposes a definition of the cost of a disaster, and emphasizes the most important mechanisms that explain and determine this cost It does so by first explaining why the direct economic cost, that is, the value of what has been damaged or destroyed by the disaster, is not a sufficient indicator of disaster seriousness and why estimating indirect losses is crucial to assess the consequences on welfare The paper describes the main indirect consequences of a disaster and the following reconstruction phase, and discusses the economic mechanisms at play It proposes a review of available methodologies to assess indirect economic consequences, illustrated with examples from the literature Finally, it highlights the need for a better understanding of the economics of natural disasters and suggests a few promising areas for research on this topic
205 citations
TL;DR: In the aftermath of a series of recent natural disasters, including the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and Cyclone Nargis, coastal vegetation has been widely promoted for the purpose of reducing the impact of large storm surges and tsunami as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Vegetated coastal ecosystems provide goods and services to billions of people.In the aftermath of a series of recent natural disasters, including the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and Cyclone Nargis, coastal vegetation has been widely promoted for the purpose of reducing the impact of large storm surges and tsunami. In this paper,
we review the use of coastal vegetation as a ``bioshield'' against these extreme events. Our objective is to alter bioshield policy and reduce the long-term negative consequences for biodiversity and human capital. We begin with an overview of the scientific literature, in particular focusing on studies published since the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 and discuss the science of wave attenuation by vegetation. We then explore case studies from the Indian subcontinent and evaluate the detrimental impacts bioshield plantations can have upon native ecosystems, drawing a distinction between coastal restoration and the introduction of exotic species in inappropriate locations. Finally, we place bioshield policies into a political context, and outline a new
direction for coastal vegetation policy and research.
183 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the capability requirements of local government institutions in pre-, during, and post-disaster activities are discussed, which can act as a useful guide for researchers, bureaucrats, and independent agencies in managing natural disasters.
Abstract: Purpose – The paper aims to flesh out the capability requirements of local government institutions in pre‐, during, and post‐disaster activities which can act as a useful guide for researchers, bureaucrats, and independent agencies in managing natural disasters.Design/methodology/approach – The role of local government and the capability requirement for this institution have been major concerns in disaster discourse, since local government plays the most active role during disasters. It is the local government's responsibility to protect the community from vulnerability and to reduce disaster impacts. This paper critically summarizes the views of researchers, academicians, and government bodies. The sources of information are articles, books, web sites, and government reports.Findings – In the critical stage of disaster management, the capability requirements in the mitigation stage are evaluation, monitoring, and dissemination, while in the preparedness stage, planning, exercise, and training are the imp...
163 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an earthquake disaster assessment model was developed to apply to risk management in the tourism industry, focusing on insurance and prevention, taking into consideration the characteristics and sources of earthquake-related risks.
158 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the potential effect of sea level rise on community vulnerability to future hurricanes, and assessed variations in socioeconomic exposure in Sarasota County, FL, to contemporary hurricane storm-surge hazards and to storm surge hazards enhanced by sea-level rise scenarios.
155 citations
TL;DR: This article presents a qualitative study of violence against women in post-tsunami Sri Lanka, examining the types of violence occurring throughout the disaster’s emergency and later phases, and whether overall levels of violence increased.
Abstract: This article presents a qualitative study of violence against women in post-tsunami Sri Lanka. It examines the types of violence occurring throughout the disaster's emergency and later phases, and whether overall levels of violence increased. Explanatory factors and responses by different humanitarian actors are analyzed and recommendations made for future disaster management. It is argued that violence against women during natural disasters must be understood within the context of the violence against women that prevails in societies at "normal" times, which is exacerbated by disaster. Response therefore necessitates addressing both the social inequalities underlying women's vulnerability to violence and specific factors that "trigger" violence during disaster.
TL;DR: This study suggests a disaster training program for South Australian emergency nurses would be beneficial and the need for future research into appropriate disaster education and training for health professionals is highlighted by the study.
TL;DR: The results of a one-day community workshop held in Sarasota County, Florida that included focus groups and participatory mapping exercises are reported in this article. But, despite different agendas, interests, and proposed adaptation strategies, there was common agreement among participants for the need to increase community resilience to contemporary hurricane storm-surge hazards and to explore adaptation strategies to combat the projected, enlarged stormsurge hazard zones.
TL;DR: In this paper, factors that influenced the liquefaction of soils in Dujiangyan County were analyzed, accounting for regional geological conditions, and the importance of detailed ground reconnaissance and the implementation of reasonable and effective measures to improve soft soil are proposed for earthquake hazard reduction in similar areas.
Abstract: In the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan Province, a large number of buildings, water conservancy facilities, and transportation facilities were severely damaged. The damage caused by liquefaction and earthquake-induced soil subsidence was widely distributed, diverse, and extensive. Typical liquefaction and earthquake-induced subsidence damage for this region has been described by investigations of soils and foundations in the earthquake-stricken area. Factors that influenced the liquefaction of soils in Dujiangyan County were analyzed, accounting for regional geological conditions. The results identify several factors that may affect the process of liquefaction and general damage to buildings, roads, levees, and dams. Such factors could serve as the basis for further research into mitigating the damage caused by earthquake-induced liquefaction and subsidence. The importance of detailed ground reconnaissance and the implementation of reasonable and effective measures to improve soft soil are proposed for earthquake hazard reduction in similar areas.
TL;DR: In this paper, a methodology is illustrated to create natural disaster and hazard maps from first hand, geo-referenced meteorological data, and the repeated cross-sectional national living standard measurement surveys (2002, 2004, and 2006) from Vietnam are augmented with the natural disaster measures derived in the first phase, to estimate the welfare effects associated with natural disasters.
Abstract: As natural disasters hit with increasing frequency, especially in coastal areas, it is imperative to better understand how much natural disasters affect economies and their people. This requires disaggregated measures of natural disasters that can be reliably linked to households, the first challenge this paper tackles. In particular, a methodology is illustrated to create natural disaster and hazard maps from first hand, geo-referenced meteorological data. In a second step, the repeated cross-sectional national living standard measurement surveys (2002, 2004, and 2006) from Vietnam are augmented with the natural disaster measures derived in the first phase, to estimate the welfare effects associated with natural disasters. The results indicate that short-run losses from natural disasters can be substantial, with riverine floods causing welfare losses of up to 23 percent and hurricanes reducing welfare by up to 52 percent inside cities with a population over 500,000. Households are better able to cope with the short-run effects of droughts, largely due to irrigation. There are also important long-run negative effects, in Vietnam mostly so for droughts, flash floods, and hurricanes. Geographical differentiation in the welfare effects across space and disaster appears partly linked to the functioning of the disaster relief system, which has so far largely eluded households in areas regularly affected by hurricane force winds.
Posted Content•
01 Jan 2010
TL;DR: A comprehensive study of the causes, the impact and the consequences as well as the management of serious pluvial flooding in Heywood, Greater Manchester, in 2004 and 2006 revealed that the victims of the floods were unprepared, ill-informed and confused as to responsibilities before, during and after the event as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Historically, flood risk management in the United Kingdom has mainly concentrated on river and coastal flooding, yet flooding from surface water runoff is a risk to urban areas. A comprehensive study of the causes, the impact and the consequences as well as the management of serious pluvial flooding in Heywood, Greater Manchester, in 2004 and 2006 revealed that the victims of the floods were unprepared, ill-informed and confused as to responsibilities before, during and after the event. Householders had to rely on their insurers for loss mitigation, but the response of the insurance industry was varied and inconsistent, and there were difficulties in building in resilience after the event. In 2006, only one property was on the Office of the Water Regulator DG 5 Register on the basis of previous flooding. Thus the area falls between the responsibilities of the Local Authority(LA), the Environment Agency and the water utility. The people affected do not know whom to turn to for assistance. A way forward may be through the establishment of an overriding agency to provide a coherent voice and strategic guidance, supported by dedicated flooding experts within LA planning departments,the adaptation of buildings for flood resilience and through changes within the insurance industry.
TL;DR: The objective of this paper is to identify and map key knowledge success factors for managing disasters successfully through capturing the good practices and lessons learned.
Abstract: The number of reported natural disasters has increased steadily over the past century and risen very sharply during the past decade. These bring about the loss of lives, property, employment and damage to the physical infrastructure and the environment. Disaster management efforts aim to reduce or avoid the potential losses from hazards, assure prompt and appropriate assistance to victims of disaster, and achieve rapid and effective recovery. While knowledge management can enhance the process of disaster management, there is a perceived gap in information coordination and sharing within the context of disaster management. Identifying key success factors will be an enabler to manage the disasters successfully. In this context, this study aim to identify and map key knowledge success factors for managing disasters successfully through capturing the good practices and lessons learned. The objective of this paper is to present the literature findings on factors which support successful disaster management. Accordingly the identified factors were classified into eight main categories as technological, social, legal, environmental, economical, functional, institutional and political.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the public policy environment that led to both successes and failures in the post-Katrina disaster response and long-term recovery, and provide critical insight into the nature of the social coordination problems disasters present, the potential for public policy to play a positive role, and the inherent limitations policymakers face in overcoming the myriad challenges that are a product of catastrophic disasters.
Abstract: In 2005 Hurricane Katrina posed an unprecedented set of challenges to formal and informal systems of disaster response and recovery. Informed by the Virginia School of Political Economy, the contributors to this study critically examine the public policy environment that led to both successes and failures in the post-Katrina disaster response and long-term recovery. Building from this perspective, this book lends critical insight into the nature of the social coordination problems disasters present, the potential for public policy to play a positive role, and the inherent limitations policymakers face in overcoming the myriad challenges that are a product of catastrophic disaster.
TL;DR: The paper discusses the specific consequences of disasters on disadvantaged minority substance users and the importance of developing public health disaster policies that target this population.
Abstract: This paper focuses on changing patterns of substance use among low income, African American drug users evacuated from New Orleans, Louisiana, during Hurricane Katrina of August 2005. It examines the relationship between increases and decreases in alcohol and tobacco (AT) use and illicit drug (ID) use after Katrina and pre-disaster and within-disaster factors. Data from structured interviews with 200 Katrina evacuees currently living in Houston were collected 8-14 months after the disaster. Multivariate analysis revealed that rises in AT use were positively associated with education. Females and younger evacuees were more likely to have increased AT use. ID use increase was positively associated with resource loss and leaving the city before Katrina. Decreases in AT and ID use were found to be associated with disaster-related exposure. The paper discusses the specific consequences of disasters on disadvantaged minority substance users and the importance of developing public health disaster policies that target this population.
TL;DR: These factors include poverty, home ownership, poor English language proficiency, ethnic minorities, immigrant status, and high-density housing, which must be considered when planning for disaster preparation, mitigation, and response.
Abstract: Mitigating disaster impact requires identifying risk factors. The increased vulnerability of the physically fragile is easily understood. Less obvious are the socio-economic risk factors, especially within relatively affluent societies. Hurricane Katrina demonstrated many of these risks within the United States. These factors include poverty, home ownership, poor English language proficiency, ethnic minorities, immigrant status, and high-density housing. These risk factors must be considered when planning for disaster preparation, mitigation, and response.
TL;DR: A study of volcanic risk perception was carried out in rural communities around the Mount Cameroon volcano between August and December 2008 as mentioned in this paper, and the results indicated that risk perception reflects the levels of threat to which a resident population has been exposed to previously.
TL;DR: In this article, a system of self-organised and scale-independent learning, called deutero learning, is proposed to implement a self-organized and scale independent learning within the political subsystem following a damaging event.
Abstract: In this article, disasters are understood as processes that have different impacts on social routines in terms of scale, scope and duration. The extent of adaptive processes in society can provide the ground for a rough classification of disaster types. Such classification has, on the one hand, practical and analytical advantages. On the other hand, they harbour the danger of overlooking transitions of scale and discourage comprehensive scale-related learning forms. Based on the disaster scale by Fischer (Int J Mass Emerg Disasters 1:91–107, 2003), flash floods in mountain rivers and torrents are described as extreme emergencies or small-town disasters. Three given examples will clearly show that learning rarely takes place within an institutional setting that is subjected to small disasters, because the stakeholder’s focus remains on only one level. Therefore, we propose to implement a system of self-organised and scale-independent learning, so called deutero learning, within the political subsystem. Following a damaging event, participative processes that involve all levels should be initialised. Their task would be to assess the combination of causes and draw conclusions for mitigation measures. An aggregation of these assessments would help the responsible political subsystems to adapt the current natural disasters policy to the changing environmental conditions.
TL;DR: In this paper, the potential role of vegetation in mitigating landslides triggered by earthquakes by normalising for other factors such as slopes and distance from active fault was investigated. And the results clearly revealed that areas covered by denser vegetation suffered less and smaller landslides than areas with thinner vegetation cover.
Abstract: . The growing concern for loss of services once provided by natural ecosystems is getting increasing attention. However, the accelerating rate of natural resources destruction calls for rapid and global action. With often very limited budgets, environmental agencies and NGOs need cost-efficient ways to quickly convince decision-makers that sound management of natural resources can help to protect human lives and their welfare. The methodology described in this paper, is based on geospatial and statistical analysis, involving simple Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing algorithms. It is based on free or very low-cost data. It aims to scientifically assess the potential role of vegetation in mitigating landslides triggered by earthquakes by normalising for other factors such as slopes and distance from active fault. The methodology was applied to the 2005 North Pakistan/India earthquake which generated a large number of victims and hundreds of landslides. The study shows that if slopes and proximity from active fault are the main susceptibility factors for post landslides triggered by earthquakes in this area, the results clearly revealed that areas covered by denser vegetation suffered less and smaller landslides than areas with thinner (or devoid of) vegetation cover. Short distance from roads/trails and rivers also proved to be pertinent factors in increasing landslides susceptibility. This project is a component of a wider initiative involving the Global Resource Information Database Europe from the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Institute of Geomatics and Risk Analysis from the University of Lausanne and the "institut universitaire d'etudes du developpement" from the University of Geneva.
TL;DR: The authors assesses whether such shocks caused drops in performance, and whether organization and management contributed to a mitigation of these deleterious effects, finding that shocks do disrupt performance but also that staff capacity and stability in street-level personnel of the organizations can reduce or eliminate these negative consequences.
Abstract: Public organizations operate as open systems in settings that can be a source of difficulties for managers and for program performance. The unexpected arrival of two major hurricanes in 2005 caused widespread havoc, and some of the consequences constituted major shocks to public agencies—in particular, to public educational systems. This article assesses whether such shocks caused drops in performance, and whether organization and management contributed to a mitigation of these deleterious effects. Evidence indicates that shocks do disrupt performance but also that staff capacity and stability in street-level personnel of the organizations can reduce or eliminate these negative consequences.
06 Sep 2010
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive literature review of reconstruction projects and processes in a few countries affected by natural disasters is presented, where the authors investigate and document the roles of project management and key stakeholders in reconstruction projects after disasters.
Abstract: The number of natural disasters has increased sharply in the past few decades, threatening human lives, and the built environment. Recent disaster management paradigms have, arguably, shifted from disaster relief to disaster preparedness, hazard mitigation, and vulnerability reduction. Reconstruction activities are those activities in recovery and rehabilitation phase of disaster risk management; actions taken to restore and if possible improve pre-disaster living condition of affected communities. While emergency relief which by providing food, medical treatment, and shelter in immediate after disaster is considered effective, reconstruction as medium and long term recovery activity is usually slow, expensive, complex. If not addressed effectively, opportunities for community development are often lost. Based on a comprehensive literature review of reconstruction projects and processes in a few countries affected by natural disaster, this paper investigates and documents the roles
of project management, and the roles of key stakeholders in reconstruction projects after disasters. It identifies and documents the key challenges in post-disaster reconstruction projects and the main procurement strategies that are available and currently in use in the reconstruction projects. It concludes with the important role that project management plays in post-disaster reconstruction projects and the importance of managing interface issues, communication and stakeholders as part of effective project management.
TL;DR: The role of earth observation technologies in disaster mitigation, and real and quasi-real-time monitoring and assessment using advanced optical and microwave EO capacities are introduced, while digital earth technologies provide a very important role in rapidly acquiring spatial information of the disaster areas.
Abstract: Since earthquakes, tropical storms, and floods are the three main global natural disasters causing the biggest loss, they should be the main focus of research in disaster science and disaster mitig...
TL;DR: These findings bridge classic and contemporary research on postdisaster recovery and open new terrain for thinking about how environmental and social forces intersect to transform regions in different settlement contexts.
Abstract: Objectives. This research investigates the spatial redistribution of socially vulnerable subpopulations during long-term recovery from natural disaster. We hypothesize that the local environmental impact of a disaster influences this redistribution process and that how it does so varies by the urban or rural context in which the disaster occurs.Methods. To test these hypotheses, we use a novel research design that combines the natural experiment offered by Hurricane Andrew with GIS technology and local census data.Results. Findings indicate that in a more urbanized disaster zone (Miami), long-term recovery displaces socially disadvantaged residents from harder-hit areas; yet, in a more rural disaster zone (southwestern Louisiana), long-term recovery concentrates socially disadvantaged residents within these harder-hit areas.Conclusion. These findings bridge classic and contemporary research on postdisaster recovery and open new terrain for thinking about how environmental and social forces intersect to transform regions in different settlement contexts. Language: en
TL;DR: In this article, the authors make a qualitative evaluation of the current disaster and crisis management systems in Turkey and highlight the importance of crisis management in the policy agendas of many countries around the world due to the increases in the number of natural disasters and terrorist attacks.
Abstract: Purpose – Crisis management has gained importance in the policy agendas of many countries around the world due to the increases in the number of natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Thus, this paper has two purposes. The first is to illustrate how the Turkish Government's Disaster and Crisis Management System has been developed. The second purpose is to make a qualitative evaluation of the current disaster and crisis management systems.Design/methodology/approach – Literature review shows that the disaster and crisis management system in Turkey has been developed after tragic events. The paper examines what kinds of initiatives were introduced and what is the trend in shift. After analyzing recent cases and exploring some government initiatives, alternative approaches and suggestions were included.Findings – Turkey has developed its disaster and crisis management system since 1930, which mostly depended on experiences. The current disaster and crisis management system is governed by a centralized stru...
Book•
01 Jan 2010
TL;DR: The most distinguished behavioral economists address the economic implications of catastrophe as discussed by the authors, how we must reconcile our instincts with a world full of natural disasters, global climate upheaval, financial storms and terrorist threats.
Abstract: The world's most distinguished behavioral economists address the economic implications of catastrophe - how we must reconcile our instincts with a world full of natural disasters, global climate upheaval, financial storms and terrorist threats. We live in a risky world, one that requires us sometimes to make complicated, life-changing decisions often very quickly. The science of decision-making and adapting to changed circumstances is multi-disciplinary, but no area is more concerned with the rightness of how humans spend their resources and make their minds up than behavioral economics, the newly fashionable part of the economics curriculum. Here, leading thinkers and academics in this field, including three Nobel Prize winners, begin to show how we must reconcile our instincts with a world full of natural disasters, global climate upheaval, financial storms and terrorist threats. Of the 20 most costly insured catastrophes that occurred in the world in the past 38 years (1970-2007), half of them (ten events) have occurred since 2001, nine of them in the United States. For the US, which has extensive experience with natural catastrophes, the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons demonstrated the lack of adequate loss reduction measures and emergency preparedness capacity required to deal with large-scale natural disasters. Hurricane Katrina alone killed 1,300 people and forced 1.5 million people to evacuate the affected area - a historical record for the country. Economic damages are estimated in the range of US$150 to 200 billion. The 9/11 attacks and the 2004/2005 series of hurricanes that made the US landfall demonstrate a new scale of destruction. What is at stake here is the fundamental question of the affordability of living with risk, and the appropriate role of the public and private sectors in providing adequate coverage to the potential victims of future disasters. Contributors to the "Irrational Economist Initiative" are true pioneers and current leading thinkers on the question of catastrophe risk management. They have made critical contributions not only to the advancement of the knowledge in this field, but also in changing the ways decision makers in corporations and government bodies in the U.S. and other countries, address these questions, and the ways people living in high risk areas are affected.