Modifying Disaster Losses:PG

Question 1

Define Insurance.

Answer 1

An arrangement by which a company or government agree to provide a guarantee of compensation for specific loss, damage, illness or death in return for a payment.

Question 2

What are Aid Donors?

Answer 2

Aid provided by donor governments to low and middle income countries.

Question 3

What are the THREE Key Players in Modifying Disaster Losses?

Answer 3

1. Insurance Companies
2. NGOs/Charities
3. Aid Donors/Emergency Services

Question 4

Strengths of Insurers and Governments.

Answer 4

> Help communities recover from disasters.
Provides Individuals & businesses with the money they need to repair & rebuild.
Cover property loss, fires, explosions, ash, dust or lava flows.

Question 5

Weaknesses of Insurers & Governments.

Answer 5

• Few people have insurance to tectonic hazards.
• In HIC insured losses are relatively low (25-30%)
• In LIC/developing countries insurance is often unaffordable.
• Do not cover shock waves or tremors.

Question 6

Strengths of Communities.

Answer 6

• Local people are the first to respond, playing an important role in recovery.
• Crucial in immediate search & rescue efforts.
• As aid takes a long time to arrive, communities step in & help themselves.
• Involved in long term strategies for rebuilding.

Question 7

Weaknesses with Communities.

Answer 7

• In certain areas there is limited knowledge/education as to what to do.
• Limited access to resources.

Question 8

Strengths with Aid Donors.

Answer 8

• Emergency air/immediate help access to, e.g. food, clean water & shelter.
• Short term Aid: restoring water supplies to affected areas and temporary shelter for displaced people.
• Long term Aid: rebuilding infrastructure, redeveloping economy and managing programmes.

Question 9

Limitations with Aid Donors.

Answer 9

• May be corrupt or poor distribution systems
• Doesn’t encourage self help or a bottom up approach to disaster management.
• In Haiti, aid workers were impacted with the spread of Cholera.

Question 10

Strengths of NGOs.

Answer 10

• Important when the local government is struggling to respond, or doesn’t have resources to do so.
• Produce funds, co-ordinate search & rescue efforts & help develop reconstruction plans.

Question 11

Weaknesses of NGOs.

Answer 11

• Lack of resources
• Intense Competition
• Not as powerful as government

Question 12

What are the different types of Management Thought Processes?

Answer 12

1. Domination
   - hazards are extreme events
   - predictable & understandable through scientific research
   - control through the engineering approach ‘ technological fix’
2. Acceptance
   - natural events are part of everyday life
   - result from “acts of God”
   - events are random & need to respond safely
   - intuitive actions, accept losses
3. Adaption
   - they will continue to occur & are influenced by humans + nature
   - magnitude & frequency can be guessed based on experience
   - look at both human + physical system, respond flexibly

Question 13

What is a Null Hypothesis?

Answer 13

There is no positive relationship between earthquake magnitude and the number of deaths and injuries.

Question 14

What is an Alternative Hypothesis?

Answer 14

There is a positive relationship between the earthquake magnitude and the number of deaths and injuries.