An investigation into the socioeconomic aspects of two major earthquakes in Iran

An evaluation of the socioeconomic consequences of earthquakes is an essential part of the development of risk reduction and disaster management plans. However, these variables are not normally addressed sufficiently after strong earthquakes; researchers and relevant stakeholders focus primarily on the physical damage and casualties. The importance of the socioeconomic consequences of seismic events became clearer in Iran after the Bam earthquake on 26 December 2003, as demonstrated by the formulation and approval of various laws and ordinances. This paper reviews the country's regulatory framework in the light of the socioeconomic aspects of two major and destructive earthquakes: in Manjil–Rudbar in 1990, and in Bam in 2003. The results take the form of recommendations and practical strategies for incorporating the socioeconomic dimensions of earthquakes in disaster risk management planning. The results presented here can be applied in other countries with similar conditions to those of Iran in order to improve public preparedness and risk reduction.     

Preparedness for emergency response: guidelines for the emergency planning process

Especially since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, governments worldwide have invested considerable resources in the writing of terrorism emergency response plans. Particularly in the United States, the federal government has created new homeland security organisations and urged state and local governments to draw up plans. This emphasis on the written plan tends to draw attention away from the process of planning itself and the original objective of achieving community emergency preparedness. This paper reviews the concepts of community preparedness and emergency planning, and their relationships with training, exercises and the written plan. A series of 10 planning process guidelines are presented that draw upon the preparedness literature for natural and technological disasters, and can be applied to any environmental threat.     

Post-disaster resettlement, development and change: a case study of the 1990 Manjil earthquake in Iran

Planned and involuntary resettlement after natural disasters has been a major policy in post-disaster reconstruction in developing countries over the past few decades. Studies show that resettlement can result in significant adverse impacts on the resettled population. Conversely, a well-planned and managed resettlement process can produce positive long-term development outcomes. This article presents the results of a case study undertaken 11 years after the 1990 Manjil earthquake in Iran. During the reconstruction period, a policy of involuntary planned resettlement was pursued extensively. The socioeconomic changes that occurred as a consequence of this policy of involuntary resettlement are analysed. Data were collected via a questionnaire survey that involved a sample of 194 relocated households (grouped into a settlement that later became a town). The paper shows that relocated families face difficult socioeconomic challenges after relocation and regrouping. This is especially true with respect to employment, income, the empowerment of women and lifestyle issues.     

城市地震时人的心理反应与应急对策

本文运用社会心理学、社会行为学与地震社会学的原理,分析研究城市地震灾害发生时,人们的心理行为反应特征以及制约震时人们心理行为反应的主客观因素,在此基础上提出震时人们应采取的应急对策。     

国家地震紧急救援训练基地可控地震废墟设计(II)——功能设计

地震往往给人类社会带来巨大的财产损失和人员伤亡,专业化的地震紧急救援能够及时应对地震灾害,最大限度减少人民生命财产损失,是防震减灾体系不可或缺的组成部分。国家紧急救援训练基地的建立就是为了训练具有专业水平的地震紧急救援队伍和人员。针对建筑物在地震中的破坏倒塌模式,借鉴国际先进地震搜索救援经验,进行了在各种地震废墟中紧急搜索和救援的方案设计以及国家地震紧急救援训练基地可控地震废墟部分的功能设计。     

国家地震紧急救援训练基地可控地震废墟设计(Ⅱ)——功能设计

地震往往给人类社会带来巨大的财产损失和人员伤亡，专业化的地震紧急救援能够及时应对地震灾害，最大限度减少人民生命财产损失，是防震减灾体系不可或缺的组成部分。国家紧急救援训练基地的建立就是为了训练具有专业水平的地震紧急救援队伍和人员。针对建筑物在地震中的破坏倒塌模式，借鉴国际先进地震搜索救援经验，进行了在各种地震废墟中紧急搜索和救援的方案设计以及国家地震紧急救援训练基地可控地震废墟部分的功能设计。     

国家地震紧急救援训练基地可控地震废墟设计(I)——结构地震破坏模式

我国是一个地震多发的国家,地震灾害给我国造成了巨大的经济损失和严重的生命伤亡。专业化的震后紧急搜索救援能够最大限度地减少人民生命财产的损失,是防震减灾体系不可或缺的组成部分。通过大量的地震灾害实例,并借鉴地震灾害评估方法和建筑物抗震设计,对危害人类生命财产的建筑物震害的特征按照结构类型进行了详细说明,通过对这些地震中常见震害的了解和认识,为国家地震紧急救援训练基地的规划设计和相应搜索救援训练科目的设置提供依据。