A report on the use of agricultural credit for poor disaster victims in India

One essential response to disasters is to bring relief aid for the immediate survival of the victims. Another response is often of great importance, although it receives less publicity: that of helping the victims to re-establish themselves economically. The extension of agricultural credit is one means of achieving this where people have lost crops and/or productive assets. In Orissa, East India, from the mid-1970's, OXFAM channelled funds through local development organizations for this purpose. In this report, Lincoln Young presents a retrospective review of some of the results of two such projects; the Winter Wheat Project following a drought and the Dalua Project following floods. The emergency nature of such schemes poses considerable problems, placing unusual stress on local administrators in making rapid day-to-day decisions and diminishing the possibilities of monitoring which exist in more normal circumstances. The projects described here failed to achieve their original objectives, but lessons may be learned with perhaps greater clarity than from other, somewhat more successful, disaster relief programmes.     

‘Here,I'm not at ease’: anthropological perspectives on community resilience

A number of recent studies on disaster reconstruction have focused on the concept of community resilience and its importance in the recovery of communities from collective trauma. This article reviews the contributions the anthropological literature and the ethnographic case studies of two post‐Hurricane Mitch housing reconstruction sites make to the theorising of community and resilience in post‐disaster reconstruction. Specifically, the article demonstrates that communities are not static or neatly bounded entities that remain constant before, during and after a disaster; rather, communities take on shape and qualities depending on the relationships in which they engage with government agencies and aid organisations before and after disasters. Consequently, the article argues that definitions of community resilience and disaster mitigation programmes must take the emergent and relational nature of communities into account in order to address the long‐term causes and impacts of disasters.     

General and particular observations on sheltering and housing in American disasters

After a survey of all the English language social science literature and a review of several case histories, the Disaster Research Center compiled a number of observations on sheltering and housing following sudden onset disasters which are summarized here. The study is aimed at increasing our knowledge of American peace-time disasters. The four different phases: emergency and temporary sheltering and emergency and temporary housing are defined and discussed. There seems to be little disaster planning and often the co-ordination of relief efforts is inefficient. It appears that communities could be better informed and that more research is necessary in order to understand and evaluate these phenomena properly. The paper points to areas which could be usefully investigated.     

基于历史记录的赤潮灾害危险性区划方法的构建与应用

利用福建省近岸海域1959—2018年的赤潮历史记录数据资料,在地理信息系统(Geographical Information System,GIS)平台下采用核密度估计函数(kernel density estimation)对赤潮历史记录数据中的赤潮发生频次、赤潮发生持续时间、赤潮面积和赤潮藻类毒性等参数进行了空间...     

基于现代信息技术的城市灾害应急管理系统

城市灾害应急管理系统是一项复杂的大系统工程。本文着重从应急管理过程中的应急资源调配、应急预案制定等方面阐述了现代信息技术在城市灾害应急管理中的应用与优势。认为应急管理信息系统的建立目的不是为了预测和估算,而应是当灾害发生时,对已造成的灾情局面做出快速的辅助决策支持。基于此,利用SuperMapObject5.0,Visual Basic6.0,SQL Server2000等现代信息技术软件,以辅助决策、资源快速查询以及生命线管网易损处调查为目的,本文建立了一个局部地区灾害应急管理信息系统。系统的数据库建立更突出了为应急管理服务所需的基础信息、空间数据、应急预案和应急资源等信息划分方式;结合已有的震害预测理论和方法,开发了供水系统和交通系统的震害预测模块,事先为灾害应急决策提供可能的震害信息。系统的开发过程进一步证明了GIS在城市灾害应急管理中有着直观显示、容易操作、辅助准确决策等优势。     

The impact of disasters on small business disaster planning: a case study

A major flood in 1997 forced the evacuation of Grand Forks, North Dakota and caused damage of USD 1 billion. Despite this recent disaster there is only marginal evidence of an increase in disaster recovery planning by businesses that experienced the flood. This finding is consistent with the results of other business-related disaster research. Statistical tests of survey results from 2003 indicate that there is a significantly higher rate of disaster recovery planning in businesses started since the 1997 flood than in businesses started before the flood and still in business. Such an outcome indicates a need for public policy actions emphasizing the importance of disaster planning. Improved disaster planning is an aid to business recovery and the results demonstrate the need for more widespread efforts to improve disaster recovery planning on the part of smaller businesses, even in areas that have recently experienced disasters.     

美国的灾害应急管理及其对我国相关工作的启示

在介绍美国灾害应急管理体系的基础上，结合中国实际，对美国气象灾害应急管理工作进行了分析，并借鉴其成功经验，提出了建立和完善中国气象灾害应急机制的一些措施。认为广泛吸纳国际社会在灾害应急管理方面的成功模式和经验，形成具有中国特色的现代化气象灾害应急管理机制，从而进一步加快中国气象灾害管理体系的建设，是科学应对气象灾害，减少人民生命财产损失，实现国家安全和经济社会可持续发展的一个重要举措。     

Stressful but rewarding: Norwegian personnel mobilised for the 2004 tsunami disaster

Adequate responses to disasters and emergency situations rely, among other factors, on coping abilities in disaster workers and emergency personnel. In this study, different aspects of disaster-related stressors and training/experience were investigated in Norwegian personnel (n = 581) mobilised for the 2004 tsunami disaster. The level of stress reactions, measured nine to ten months after the tsunami, was relatively low in this sample, indicating that the personnel coped well with the challenges of the disaster. The level of intrusive memories was higher in disaster-area personnel (n = 335) than in home-base personnel (n = 246). Stress reactions were significantly associated with witnessing experiences (disaster-area group) and with having to reject victims in need of help (both groups). Specific preparation for the mission was associated with a lower level of stress reactions in disaster-area personnel. Such factors may be considered in training and preparation programmes for disaster workers.     

Multiple visions of Indonesia's mud volcano: understanding representations of disaster across discursive settings

The Lapindo mudflow is one of the most controversial disasters in Indonesian history. Despite its unique biophysical features, most consider the mudflow a social disaster as scientific conflicts about its main trigger have evolved into legal disputes over accountability and rights. This paper examines this ‘trigger debate’, the stakes of scientific contention and the broader social and natural dynamics that shape the terms of this debate. A Latourian impulse drives this analysis, which aims to improve both understandings of—and responses to—complex disasters. This paper also notes that the stakes of representation extend to constructions of its stakeholders, especially to victims. As socionatural disasters become an increasingly common feature of the contemporary world, from mud volcanoes to extreme weather events caused by global warming, it is more important than ever to understand the dynamics of representing disasters and stakeholders.     

Management of disaster victims and rehabilitation of uprooted communities

The natural disasters which have so far dominated world attention are the least important in terms of number of victims. By far the most important problems, affecting tens of millions of people in non-industrialized countries, are the creeping and recurrent disasters, generally made and/or aggravated by man. Subsequent deprivations frequently lead to the process of uprooting. While a well organized and economically strong community can suffer severe set-backs from a disaster it will not be permanently disrupted. On the other hand, an uprooted community is by definition seriously disrupted by upheaval or crushing of its social system, leading to disorganization, disheartedness and dependence. This affects, to varying degrees, communities which have fled across ethnic or political borders and found themselves in a minority situation; as well as communities whose mode of life has been made obsolete or impossible by abrupt or slow ecological etc changes destroying their economy. The phenomenon of uprooting poses particular problems demanding particular attention. It is especially important to stop and reverse the process. This calls for adequate preparedness, and for relief and rehabilitation without delays and frustrations which will aggravate the uprooting. The planning should normally aim for balanced integration, and always avoid over- and under-aid. Also, in order to make the victimized communities self-reliant, it is crucial to assist them in the reconstruction of their social systems. Finally, the planning necessary for disaster preparedness coincides closely with what is needed for planning of development activities.     

自然灾害防治综合立法研究:定位、理念与制度

近年来,国家高度重视防灾减灾救灾,发布了防灾减灾救灾系列重要文件,实施了应急管理体制机制重大改革举措。落实防灾减灾救灾新思想新理念新要求,契合国家发展改革的现实需要,应加紧推进自然灾害防治综合立法。自然灾害防治综合立法的定位是自然灾害防治的基本法、应急管理的特别法、公共安全的支撑法。自然灾害防治综合立法应在坚持以人民为中心理念、风险防范理念、综合防治理念、权利保护理念的基础上,确立自然灾害风险隐患排查、危险区避让及搬迁转移、自然灾害科普、自然灾害防治社会参与、自然灾害保险等制度,为推进我国自然灾害防治体系和防治能力现代化提供法制保障。     

Shelter, housing and recovery: a comparison of u.s. Disasters

In this paper we examine the issues associated with the temporary sheltering and housing of victims after natural disasters in the United States. Specific topics addressed include differential access to shelter and housing aid according to social class, ethnicity and related demographic factors; the relationship between post-disaster shelter and housing and long-term recovery; the role of social support networks in the sheltering of victims; and the implications of the research for the provision of shelter and housing aid after disasters.     

Managing volunteers: FEMA's Urban Search and Rescue programme and interactions with unaffiliated responders in disaster response

In the aftermath of disasters it is not uncommon for a large number of individuals, ranging from professional technical responders to untrained, albeit well meaning, volunteers, to converge on site of a disaster in order to offer to help victims or other responders. Because volunteers can be both a help and a hindrance in disaster response, they pose a paradox to professional responders at the scene. Through focus group interviews and in-depth structured interviews, this paper presents an extended example of how Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) task forces, a type of professional technical-responder organisation, interact with and utilise volunteers. Findings show that US&R task forces evaluate the volunteers in terms of their presumed legitimacy, utility, and potential liability or danger posed during the disaster response. Other responses to volunteers such as a feeling of powerlessness or the use of volunteers in non-technical ways are also explored. This paper demonstrates some key aspects of the relationship between volunteers and formal response organisations in disasters.     

应对河南省特大洪涝灾害救援药品保障目录的研究与实践

为提高中国救援队救援任务中的药品保障效率,建立洪涝灾害救援药品保障目录.查阅洪涝灾害医学及救援相关文献270余篇,统计分析洪涝灾害疾病谱及发生率.根据不同疾病类型的发生比例,采用决策分析法,确定洪涝灾害救援药品保障目录,搭建国内药品紧急响应平台.研究结果为:消化系统疾病、呼吸系统疾病及皮肤科疾病占据疾病谱前三位.参照疾...     

2004年主汛期我国强对流天气灾害统计特征

运用全国各省、市、县气象部门直接上报国家气象局的气象灾害数据,对全国各地2004年主汛期(6-8月)对流性天气造成的灾害分布特征和人员死亡情况进行了统计分析,结果表明,主汛期内强对流天气在全国31个省市都有发生,其中黄淮、江淮、江南、西南地区东部为强对流天气灾害死亡人数多发区,且在主汛期内,以7月份强对流天气发生频次最高;在年度所有气象灾害中,除了暴雨洪涝灾害造成人员死亡最多外,雷击事件造成的死亡人数占气象灾害死亡人数的第二位;各大城市均遭遇到强对流天气袭击,造成了严重的交通瘫痪,城市应急响应系统建设亟待加强。     

综合应急救援能力描述理论架构及提升内容研究

基于代数这一数学工具,该文创新建立综合应急救援能力描述理论架构,包括面向自然灾害、事故灾难、公共卫生、社会安全等灾种建立的救援灾害轴,面向村、社区、街道(镇)、区(县、市)、市、省等区域建立的救援区域轴,面向准备、响应、处置、保障、善后等时间建立的救援时间轴,由此构成综合应急救援能力描述三维坐标系;在此基础上,抽象出应...     

中国综合减灾发展趋势研究

综合减灾的"综合"是各灾种、 各阶段和各环节的综合,是资源和手段的综合,也是信息技术和科学技术的综合.通过对中国知网数据和《灾害学》期刊论文数据的定性与定量分析可知:从灾种来看,综合减灾研究的是地质灾害、地震灾害和气象灾害;从过程研究来看,每一种灾害的研究都是全过程综合性研究;从阶段性研究来看,灾前风险研究和灾后经验教...     

首都大学生的自然灾害认知调查与减灾教育建议

2006年国际减灾日的主题是"减灾始于学校",了解学生的灾害认知水平有助于减灾教育工作的有效开展。以北京5所高校的大学生为调查对象,通过问卷方式调查大学生对自然灾害的关注程度、防灾意识、灾害理论知识、应急行为知识以及对减灾教育的看法。问卷统计结果表明:大学生总体的灾害认知水平较低,现行减灾教育方式和内容与学生的期望有较大偏差。在此基础上,提出了减灾教育内容要将学生"该知道的"与"想知道的"相结合,通过演练演习等方式提高学生的防灾应急实际技能等减灾教育建议。     

台风等重大灾害性事件的风险认知及预警机制

通过调查受灾民众及未受灾民众对台风等重大灾害性事件的风险认知及预警情况,比较两者的差异,为政府对重大灾害性事件建立预警管理模式提供依据。研究结果表明:①受灾民众和未受灾民众对重大灾害性事件的风险认知水平低,受灾民众对台风的风险认知明显高于未受灾民众(P<0.01);②两者对提升防灾意识的意愿强烈但对防灾资讯关心程度不够,且受灾民众明显更关心防灾资讯(P<0.01);③两者在通过某项预防措施可以避免灾害所造成的损失和撤离危险地区的问题上意见基本一致,但未受灾民众对政府辅助撤离更具有依赖性(P<0.01,P<0.05);④受灾民众比未受灾民众更相信科学家对灾害的预警能力(P<0.01),但均对目前的灾害预警系统满意度一般。     

A pattern of disasters and victims

Two three-dimensional conceptual models are presented that should help those concerned with disasters and disaster victims to integrate the numerous studies on the topic. The first, concerning disasters, involves matters ecological, technological and social scientific. It covers the elements earth, air, fire, water/liquid, and people. It includes the time dimensions of preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. The second introduces a six-fold classification of victims, together with dimensions to cover the methods and kinds of delivery of different interventions that might be made available to help them. The suggestion is that, were the appropriately noted victim model placed within the larger disaster model according to the types of disaster study being examined, there might be useful academic, political, and professional implications.