Natural disaster

About: Natural disaster is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 5456 publications have been published within this topic receiving 104808 citations. The topic is also known as: natural calamity & natural hazard.

Rethinking the Nature of Disaster: From Failed Instruments of Learning to a Post-Social Understanding

Abstract: Recent disasters have been of such scale and complexity that both the common assumptions made about learning from them, and the traditional approaches distinguishing natural from technological disasters (and now terrorism) are thus challenged. Beck's risk thesis likewise signals the need for a paradigmatic change. Despite sociological inflections in disaster research and management, however, an examination of the risk management practices deployed during Hurricane Katrina and the Indian Ocean tsunami reveals attendant problems with a persistent instrumental rationality and disjuncture between society and environment. Therefore, an alternative, post-social understanding is proposed. It includes relational (rather than instrumental) approaches which reinstate the importance of nonhuman nature, but it also recognizes that disasters are post-normal problems, and that disaster research and management increasingly deal with phenomena beyond the limits of current know-how.

A literature review of the role of project management in post-disaster reconstruction

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.

Beyond Drought: People, Policy and Perspectives

Abstract: The unpredictability of Australia's climate poses real challenges for practices that were developed based on the relative predictability of a European climate. More recently, policy has been moving towards accepting drought as a reality, rejecting the notion that it is a natural disaster in favour of an approach based on risk management. However, the level of public debate during a drought event suggests that this policy approach has not been widely understood or accepted. Media reporting of drought rapidly adopts disaster-related language and the organisation of relief appeals reinforces the impression that drought is an aberration rather than a normal part of Australia's climate patterns. Beyond Drought provides a multi-disciplinary discussion aimed at increasing the level of understanding of drought's many facets and its impact on the environment, communities and the economy. It introduces a range of perspectives in order to emphasise the complexity of drought policy. The book cuts through the often emotional debate that occurs during a drought event, aiming to stimulate reasoned discussion about the best way that Australian farmers and the broader community can live with the vagaries of an uncertain climate.

Children and Natural Disasters A Primer for School Psychologists

Abstract: Worldwide children are impacted by natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, landslides and sandstorms, winter and severe storms, heat waves, volcanoes and tsunamis. School psychologists should understand natural disaster effects, such as economic loss, relocation and health concerns and mental health issues. While most children are able to cope, a significant minority develops severe symptoms and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). School psychologists should gain trauma mental health training through the American Psychological Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, and the International School Psychology Association. They can also be involved in school and community prevention, mitigation and educational programming. This article presents an overview for school psychologists of the literature on children in natural disasters.