Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
consequence of a conflict between the market-based private enterprise ideas of a
small elite land owning group and the bureaucratic-based relief efforts from govern-
ments and NGOs attempting to re-house displaced people.
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Communication-Awareness
The need for better communication to avoid misinformation and panic, before and
during disasters, can be seen in two different contexts. First, it is increasingly ac-
cepted that sharing information on risks with the general public to improve their
understanding of the dangers from various hazards is vital. Also they can often help
in identifying past flood levels, mapping faults under sediments or recording the
path of previous landslides or avalanches. The more the knowledge of the mecha-
nisms and effects of these natural hazards are shared, and are extended through
historical research on the previous impacts of extreme natural events, the greater
the local awareness of potential impacts. This raises public consciousness of the
need to adopt risk reduction strategies, which then empower people to help in the
process of understanding and managing the risks. This can be seen in developed
countries, such as the creation of a Neighbourhood Empowerment Network in San
Francisco in 2007 (NEN) between residents, non-profit and faith organizations, as
well as businesses and academics, to develop the capacity for neighbourhoods to
help themselves, such as by increasing their resistance to potential disasters. The lo-
cal disaster committees set up in many developing countries also empower people.
This approach also ensures that the needs of the people affected, especially the most
vulnerable, are placed at the core of resilience policies, for it is the residents in an
area that know those who are limited in their ability to respond to warning alerts.
The second context is a vertical one. Since local municipalities rarely have the
resources to cope with large natural hazard-induced emergencies alone, it is vital
that they
develop effective connections with other organizations associated with
risk mitigation
to provide more comprehensive risk reduction strategies, rather than
working in isolation. In addition, during the emergency it is essential to have 24 h
help phone lines to provide information and assistance to people affected, secure
information places where personal enquiries can be answered, as well as ensuring
that local radio stations broadcast officially sanctioned updates of the imminent
threats from a natural hazard, or recommending evacuations. Some places have also
installed sirens to alert people to imminent problems, such as flooding or tornadoes.
In addition, communities should create safe places to assemble where affected peo-
ple can go for help. However, since local broadcast systems can be destroyed by the
natural hazard, back-up facilities should be constructed. Given the increasing value
of social network sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and mobile phones, these com-
munication devices should also be used to spread helpful information from reliable
sources about the scale of the disaster, although official sources should try to ensure
that fallacious information should not be spread by these sites, which can add to
the problems caused by the disaster. Some universities already use personnel media
sites to inform students and staff of potential risks on campus.
