Can education reduce Middle Eastern fatalistic attitude regarding earthquake disasters?

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 343-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoda Baytiyeh ◽  
Mohamad K. Naja
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Earthquake Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Risk Reduction Strategies

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the unique and necessary role that Middle Eastern educational institutions must play to reduce the negative influence of fatalism regarding risk perception and disasters. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on conceptual analysis and real situational cases to confirm the existing fatalistic attitudes in the Middle Eastern communities and shows how education can be used to reduce and limit the negative effects of such fatalism on earthquake risk mitigation. Findings – The paper calls for the integration of critical thinking along with disaster risk education throughout the schools’ system to reduce the dominating culture of fatalism and to facilitate the implementation of disaster risk reduction strategies in the Middle Eastern communities. In addition, the assistance of the religion instructors and clergy, in reducing fatalistic attitudes has positive implications. Originality/value – The paper represents an effort to accelerate the implementation of earthquake disaster risk reduction strategies in the Middle Eastern vulnerable communities. It uncovers the mask on one of the most critical social issues that has for long time hindered social progress in the Middle East region.

Reviewing the place of migrants in disasters: a personal perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna M.S. Torres
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Personal Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disaster Studies ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Risk Reduction Strategies

PurposeThe paper aims to call attention to issues that may be missing or taken for granted in discourses on migrants and disasters by applying the author’s viewpoint to reflect on gaps and potentials for disaster risk reduction.Design/methodology/approachThe author discusses key issues based on reflective engagement with selected secondary documentation in the form of grey and scholarly literature. Personal perspectives are engaged to develop arguments on intersections that are relevant to the migrant situation in different frameworks in disaster studies.FindingsWhile migrants are considered significant stakeholders in key global agreements on disaster and migration, encounters with disaster literature from a more localised level reveal how references to the migrant sector can be omitted or racialised. This gap can be filled by searching for documentation of migrant strengths and vulnerabilities. However, further reflection demonstrates how adopting broader perspectives can reveal these strengths and vulnerabilities as part of more appropriate and sustainable disaster risk reduction strategies. The paper also shows how such reflections can be led by insights from migrants themselves, not as subjects to be managed but as agents of their own change.Originality/valueThe paper is distinctive because it shows aspects of migrant strengths and disadvantages from a personal viewpoint. It amplifies less-heard perspectives on a conceptual level as well as in actual practice.

Global disasters and risk reduction strategies

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Murray ◽  
Amina Aitsi-Selmi ◽  
Alex G. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Congenital Rubella ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Risk Reduction Strategies

As the global population increase, the effects of disasters also increase. However, through improved building codes and other disaster risk reduction interventions, the number of deaths appears to be reducing. International frameworks for reduction and response are being built and an audit of the NHS demonstrated the advantages of an integrated health service. Fact sheets, produced internationally with UK involvement, on several aspects of disaster risk reduction have started to increase awareness of the wide variety of needs, although mental health issues need further research. Not all global disasters with far-reaching consequences are catastrophic in nature. The circumstances of congenital rubella and iodine deficiency show the strengths of international collaboration and the need for high-quality science. This chapter explains disaster risk reduction and sets it in its international perspective, with examples of wide-ranging agreements and frameworks, and their application to the wider UK health service.

scholarly journals Governance of disaster risk reduction in Cameroon: The need to empower local government

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry N. Bang
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Risk Reduction Strategies ◽  
The Impact

The impact of natural hazards and/or disasters in Cameroon continues to hit local communities hardest, but local government lacks the ability to manage disaster risks adequately. This is partly due to the fact that the necessity to mainstream disaster risk reduction into local governance and development practices is not yet an underlying principle of Cameroon’s disaster management framework. Using empirical and secondary data, this paper analyses the governance of disaster risks in Cameroon with particular focus on the challenges local government faces in implementing disaster risk reduction strategies. The hypothesis is that the governance of disaster risks is too centralised at the national level, with huge implications for the effective governance of disaster risks at the local level. Although Cameroon has reinvigorated efforts to address growing disaster risks in a proactive way, it is argued that the practical actions are more reactive than proactive in nature. The overall aim is to explore the challenges and opportunities that local government has in the governance of disaster risks. Based on the findings from this research, policy recommendations are suggested on ways to mainstream disaster risk reduction strategies into local governance, and advance understanding and practice in the local governance of disaster risks in the country.

scholarly journals Integrating Health Into Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies: Key Considerations for Success

2014 ◽  
Vol 104 (10) ◽  
pp. 1811-1816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osman Dar ◽  
Emmeline J. Buckley ◽  
Sakib Rokadiya ◽  
Qudsia Huda ◽  
Jonathan Abrahams
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Risk Reduction Strategies
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