Emerald | Disaster Prevention and Management

Resourcing for post-disaster reconstruction: a comparative study of Indonesia and China

Yan Chang, Suzanne Wilkinson, Regan Potangaroa, Erica Seville — 2012-02-17 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - There is a need to understand resourcing issues when reconstructing the built environment in a post-disaster situation. This paper aims to determining the resourcing difficulties that are likely to face the international practitioners in post-disaster reconstruction by identifying and comparing the factors that affected resource availability following natural disasters in Indonesia and China respectively.Design/methodology/approach - The research methodology included field-based questionnaire surveys, semi-structured interviews and observations. A comparative analysis was used to extract similarities and differences with regard to resourcing approaches in Indonesia and China.Findings - Despite the different resourcing approaches adopted in Indonesia and China in their recovery from large-scale disasters, there are common issues facing post-disaster reconstruction stakeholders, including competence of the implementing agencies, capacity of transportation, governance and legislation, and market conditions. Specifically, community-related housing features played a dominant role in donor-driven resourcing practice in post-Indian Ocean tsunami reconstruction in Indonesia, whereas factors related to project control and management primarily contributed to resourcing performance of Chinese reconstruction specialists following the Wenchuan earthquake.Research limitations/implications - To solve resourcing problems, countries need to create an enabling environment and build institutional capacity. The cross-cultural comparative analysis encourages policy makers and practitioners to exchange experiences from recent recovery operations.Originality/value - The paper illustrates the infrastructural and institutional weaknesses that hindered effective resource procurement during post-disaster reconstruction in Indonesia and China. The research findings show common areas in need of improvement in other disaster prone countries, along with the issues to be addressed in the donor-led or contractor-led resourcing practice in the two studied countries.

Institutional Framework, Key Stakeholders and Community Preparedness for Earthquake Induced Disaster Management in Balochistan

syed Ainuddin, Jayant Kumar Routray — 2012-02-17 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Balochistan is one of the earthquake disaster prone areas in Pakistan. Earthquakes adversely affect people and their economy, therefore disaster preparedness especially at the community level is imperative to avoid future damages. The purpose of this paper is to examine the issues associated with community preparedness in earthquake prone area and recommend upgrading the community preparedness, and improving coordination between provincial and national agencies during disasters and seismic emergenciesDesign/methodology/approach - The study is based on field visits. Observations, key informant interviews and group discussions were conducted to analyze the preparedness both at community and organizational levels. Findings - Disaster impacts are still handled by provincial level organization in Balochistan. Disaster management authorities do not implement any activities related to preparedness at local levels, and focus more on reactive and top-down approaches. On the other hand community is vulnerable to multiple hazards associated with earthquakes. The study reveals that the available institutional framework does not meet community needs. Both the government institutes and communities are not well prepared, therefore communities get affected from time to time due to earthquake hazards in Balochistan.Practical implications - Disaster management authorities should implement projects and activities at the local levels to empower communities for disaster preparedness and for disaster risk reduction. Originality/value - The paper concludes that for efficient preparedness the coordination should be improved between the provincial and national level agencies and community preparedness need to be enhanced for upgrading people’s awareness and defensive mechanism for safeguarding their lives with reference to seismic emergencies.

Perceptions of pet owners in urban Latin America on protection of their animals during disasters

Uta W. Hesterberg, Gerardo Huertas, Michael C. Appleby — 2012-02-17 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Inclusion of animals in emergency contingency planning is not yet common practice in many countries. This study assessed the need for and viability of such inclusion in Latin America.Design/methodology/approach - The study surveyed 1882 pet owners in urban areas in Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico to evaluate perceptions of pet owners with regard to their animals in emergencies.Findings - Overall 74.5% (confidence interval 72.5 – 76.5) said they would take their animals if evacuated. Only 16% (14.5 – 17.8) would leave their animals behind. Regular vaccination was carried out by 70.5% of owners (68.0 – 72.5): from 63.6% (60.8 – 66.2%) in Mexico to 87.5% (84.3 – 90.0) in Colombia. People in lower socio-economic levels were less likely to take animals to the vet, or to vaccinate or identify them, and more likely to leave their animal behind during evacuation.Practical implications - Results indicate both the need and the likely success of an animal contingency planning process in urban areas of Latin America.Originality/value - This is the first survey of its kind concerning disaster preparedness for pets in developing countries, and counters the common perception that in such countries owners are less attached to their pets and that inclusion of animals in emergency contingency planning is not important.

Securing Disaster Supply Chains with Cryptography Enhanced RFID

2012-02-17 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Humanitarian logistics is an essential element of disaster management and it presents many challenges due to the unique disaster relief environment. The paper describes the main features and challenges of humanitarian logistics and the potential role of technology. RFID technology has been increasingly considered to improve the efficiency of supply chain management. Security is an important requirement for disaster management. In this paper, we propose and describe the application of secure RFID technology to improve the management and security of relief supply chains. Design/methodology/approach - The paper describes the challenges of disaster of supply chains and how secure RFID can address them in the overall framework of disaster management.Findings - The paper describes the efficiency of the crypotgraphic algorithm used in the design of the secure RFID, the system architecture and the deployment workflow. Practical implications - The establishment of a logistics tracking framework based on secure RFID has the potential to greatly increase the effectiveness of future emergency crises response operations.Originality/value - The originality of the paper is to present the application of secure RFID to the context of disaster management where the security of supply chains is often not addressed.

Assessment of Fire Hazard in Pakistan

Muhammad Masood Rafi, Syed Wasi Uddin, Salman Hameed Siddiqui — 2012-02-17 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - There is an acute shortage of infrastructure to deal with fire hazard in big cities in Pakistan. Consequently, fire hazard poses a serious threat to economic and social activites in these cities. Unfortunately, the scale of this threat is not fully recognised in Pakistan despite the fact that recent fire incidences in different cities of Pakistan have resulted in considerable economic and life losses. This paper presents the results of a survey which was conducted in one of the largest cities of Pakistan to determine the nature and level of this threat. A critical evaluation of available resources with the Fire Brigade Department (FBD) to deal with the fire hazard in the city confimred lack of infrastructure facilities and adequate training. A conceptual framework model for fire risk management is proposed to reduce the level of this threat.Design/methodology/approach - This study is based on a survey of fire exposed buildings in Karachi (one of the largest cities of Pakistan) and the analysis of available resources and infrastructure of FBD. A total of thirteen sites were visited and interviews were conducted. Fire stations in the city were visited and an inventory of available resources was prepared. The data of fire incidents and human and economic losses were collected and analysed. Based on the findings, a conceptual framework model was suggested for fire risk management in the city.Findings - The survey of the fire exposed structures indicated that negligence, voilation of building codes, unawareness of safety measures, carelessness, lack of training were the major causes of fire incidents. An acute shortage of facilities and infrastructure for fire fighting was noted. The recording mechanism of data related to fire incidents was found to be inadquate.Research limitations/implications - The paper is a small, but an original, contribution to identify a potential hazard which is faced by the businesses and community in the city. This is the first attempt (to the best of authors’ knowledge) to mitigate the effects of fire hazard. Practical implications - The suggested model can be employed by the authorities as a guideline to mitigate fire hazard in the country.Originality/value - The paper provides valuable information on the fire incidents, and human and economic losses in Pakistan. The suggested model can become helpful in reducing fire hazard in Pakistan.

Community-based monitoring for flood early warning system: an example in Central Bicol River Basin, Philippines

2012-02-17 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - This study integrates the proactive role of communities and the use of flood modeling in the implementation of a flood early warning system. Design/methodology/approach - Manual rain gauges were installed in 20 houses of volunteers living within the Bicol River Basin to monitor rainfall. Rain information is sent twice daily via SMS message to a receiving computer. The received data is used to run a basin model that was developed in HEC-HMS, which converts precipitation excess to overland flow and channel run-off.Findings - Different watershed models were developed for different rainfall events. Geomorphic analysis using 3s SRTM Digital Elevation Model (DEM) processed in a GIS platform was also done to refine the overland flow. The derived hydrographs were used in the HEC-RAS hydraulic model which has as main output threshold values for the rain-flood relationship.Research limitations/implications - Although SRTM DEM that was used for the geomorphic analysis was sufficient for the purpose of the study, higher resolution DEMs can further improve the mapping of spatial extent of flood areas. Practical implications - The results are used for the forecast of flood and the timely issuance of flood bulletins. Originality/value - This study is the first to incorporate the involvement of the community in establishing a flood early warning system. The method can also be used as a prototype for other flood models in other parts of the country.

Significance of building heights for urban environmental safety

Chang Woon Nam — 2012-02-17 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The natural gas pipeline accident is a dangerous fire sources in the city centers. Taking the explosive danger caused by natural gas leakage as an example, this study, based on the box model, examines how such an environmental hazard can be hindered by the variation of building heights in the context of urban safety design and land-use decision-making.Design/methodology/approach - The box model measures the concentration of pollutants within a defined box in which a mixture of pollutants with air and their transport by wind take place. A street surrounded by tall buildings in the city center is a good example for the application of such a model, and the building heights shape the box size and the mixing height. Under the consideration of atmospheric conditions this study identifies how the constellation of physical factors shaping the city-street box and its change affect the elapsed time to reach the lower explosive limit (LEL) and the upper explosive limit (UEL) of natural gas.Findings - Ceteris paribus higher building heights expand the time span between initial gas leakage and reaching LEL, in which appropriate safety measures should be taken before ignition, but more rapidly increases the elapsed time to reach UEL, making the time scope for potential explosive danger in the city center even larger. Originality/value - In the past the aspect of preventing explosive dangers caused by natural gas leakage has been largely ignored in the building height regulations related to urban safety design and city center development.

Integrated Model Combined Land-use Planning and Disaster Management—The Structure, Context and Contents

Jieh-Jiuh Wang — 2012-02-17 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The frequency of which hazards turn to disasters is soaring. Besides the factor of climate variation, the errors of decision-making during planning are the critical factors. Hence, this study focused on exploring the relationship between land use planning, development, and disaster management.Design/methodology/approach - This study takes hazardscape as the basis of a dialogue platform for land use planning and disaster management. The first portion of this study is to discuss the needed disaster management items in the planning process through thematic analysis; the second portion is to construct the relationship between disaster management and land use planning by the paired comparison method.Findings - This study proposes the model for integrating planning and disaster management as the foundation of interdisciplinary collaboration. The phase of Site choosing and assessment is the most critical point for starting the works of disaster prevention. The major works includes All-hazard identification/ hazardscape analysis and Physical Vulnerability: damage potential assessment.Research limitations/implications - Practical implications - This model is helpful to apply to land use decision-makings for evaluating the issues should concerned about disasters, and avoiding the increasing lives and property losses. As the next step, attributes of people and environments and assessment techniques from different disciplines can also be included in the model, to achieve the ultimate goal of an environment.Originality/value - Should disasters strike despite all relevant measures, the associated planning programs monitored and reviewed to enable necessary adjustments.