Researchers call for new approach to disaster preparedness and recovery

(PhysOrg.com) -- Given the devastation caused by recent disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti and the 2009 Samoan tsunami, and the likelihood that more extreme climate-related events will occur in future, researchers who have just analysed the response to the 2004 Asian tsunami say there are important lessons to be learned which should underpin how we respond to such events in future.

The Asian tsunami and what happened in its aftermath illustrate the importance of building communities that are more resilient to shocks and surprises - be they environmental or socio-economic. Two Macquarie University researchers were part of an international project which examined how successful recovery efforts and resilience building have been in communities that were affected.

Based on what they have observed, Dr Frank Thomalla, senior lecturer and PhD student Emma Calgaro from the University’s Department of Environment and Geography, say it’s clear that there needs to be a shift in focus and approach to recovery and disaster preparedness which includes a better understanding of communities’ social vulnerabilities and capacities.

When the tsunami hit, waves up to 30 metres swept through 11 Asian countries leaving more than 230,000 dead and a trail of devastation and destruction. More than US$7 billion in humanitarian aid was donated to support the relief and recovery processes in affected countries. The funds also put in place initiatives that would help rebuild communities, strengthen disaster preparedness and establish early warning systems.

Calgaro and Thomalla were part of a project between the University and SEI, the Stockholm Environment Institute. The programme was funded by SIDA, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

The aim was to examine how successful efforts have been by governments, aid and humanitarian organisations in not only physically rebuilding, but in enhancing long-term capacity and resilience in affected communities by improving early warning systems and disaster preparedness. Now a series of reports detailing the project's findings are being released.

One of the worst tsunami-affected tourism communities was Khao Lak in Thailand. Calgaro was part of the international team that evaluated vulnerabilities of tourism dependent communities to the tsunami as well as emerging vulnerabilities in the recovery process.

Calgaro said NGO assistance and international donor support went towards the rebuilding of traditional livelihoods like fishing, at the expense of other, more sustainable long-term investments such as tourism.

The national government also devoted resources and gave attention to re-establishing some of the larger and well-established tourism destinations such as Patong at the expense of smaller places like Khao Lak. Calgaro said while this is somewhat understandable from an economic perspective - Patong’s hotel and restaurant sector alone accounts for 3.8 of per cent Thailand’s GDP - it is little comfort to newer destination communities that are in desperate need of support.

For Calgaro, aid donor mandates and subsequent distribution need to shift from servicing the perceived needs of those that are traditionally labelled as ‘vulnerable’ to assessing real needs based on evidence.

Thomalla focused on the development and effectiveness of early warning systems. After the tsunami, attention was given to developing the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System (IOTWS) and the national systems of member countries. But the focus has been mainly on technology, Thomalla said. Little attention has been paid to the human aspects of early warning systems.

“So much depends on people’s previous experience and perceptions of hazards. The region is diverse and situations vary from place to place. To be effective and sustainable, approaches have to radically change,” he said.

“We need to depart from the current scientifically motivated, expert driven and hence, highly prescriptive approach to one in which the end-users of early warning systems shape the design of the system according to their priorities and needs.”

Provided by Macquarie University