After Disasters

Question 1

Strategies to recover from disaster

Answer 1

restoring and improving facilities and living conditions of ppl
○ Rebuilding new infrastructure that is hazard-resistant
○ Retrofitting surviving buildings with hazard-resistant features
○ Allowing communities to return to their homes, giving assistance with
repair works, and making it hazard-resistant.
Eg. After the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, about 500, 000 people were displaced,
but were rehoused in homes with tsunami-resistant features by 2016. Ground level of sites of new homes were raised by 10m, and 2 more sea walls were built.

Question 2

Challenges faced in disaster management

Answer 2

Lack of domestic/local resources
● Countries may not have the necessary resources to respond to and recover from tectonic hazards.
● This will make them less able to respond to tectonic hazards quickly and appropriately, resulting in more lives lost.

Eg. The lack of resources hindered rescue works in Haiti in 2010. There was a shortage of ambulances and heavy machinery to remove the debris and rubble from buildings. Many hours were spent by rescuers, manually removing the rocks and rubble, slowing down rescue operations.

Challenges in engaging and meeting the conflicting needs of stakeholders.
● Authorities might face difficulties getting stakeholders to cooperate and collaborate
○ Disagreements among stakeholders due to conflicting needs and interests
○ Stakeholders underestimate the severity of potential damages.
○ High cost to individuals and companies (insurance, engineering, construction works)

Eg. Only 10-20% of buildings in the Philippines are insured against
earthquakes due to the high cost of earthquake insurance.