Analysing spatial interdependence among the 2011 Thailand flood-affected small and medium enterprises for reduction of disaster recovery time period

Natural disasters have been a significant hurdle in the economic growth of middle-income developing countries. Thailand has also been suffering from recurring flood disasters and was most which are severely affected during the 2011 floods. This paper aims to identify the various factors that impact the speed of disaster recovery among the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) severely affected by the floods in Pathumthani province in central Thailand, and how it is related to its speed decision of neighbours SMEs. The methodology adopts a spatial econometric model, to analysis and understand each of the chosen factors’ impact. The findings include the impact of disaster resilience, mitigation and planning at the SME level as well as the government level. The absence of accurate perception of actual risk, flood insurance and disaster management planning before the 2011 floods had contributed to the severity of the impacts during the 2011 floods.

An Insight into the Indian Railways COVID-19 Combat

Coronavirus pandemic has affected many lives, and several rigid rules and policies had to be implemented across the globe to curb the spread of the disease. A nation-wide lockdown was announced on March 22, 2020, in India to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID – 19) pandemic. The entire nation was brought to a standstill with only the essential services running. The pandemic had put many of the organizations on the moratorium, especially the travel industry. Indian Railways were no exception to it. But they have risen to the occasion to stand strong with the nation. The efficient disaster management planning of the Indian railways has helped them to fight the battle bravely. Though the passenger trains were brought to a halt in the initial lockdown period, the freight services were functional, carrying out essential duties during the lockdown. From manufacturing and distribution of PPE kits, transportation of essential commodities, service from medical warriors, Indian Railways has taken all the possible steps in the nation's fight against the pandemic. This article focuses on the COVID-19 guidelines followed by the Indian Railways and their noble work during the COVID-19 national crisis for the wellbeing of employees, passengers, and the general public by using secondary data such as journals, newspapers, magazines, and memorandums.

Analysing spatial interdependence among 2011 Thailand flood affected Small and Medium Enterprises for reduction of Disaster Recovery Time Period

Natural disasters have been a major hurdle in the economic growth of middle income countries. Thailand has also been suffering from recurring flood disasters and was most severely affected during the 2011 floods. This paper aims at identifying the various factors which have impact on speed of disaster recovery among the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) severely affected by the floods in Pathumthani province in central Thailand and how this speed is related with the speed and decision of neighbours SMEs. The methodology adopts a spatial econometric model, to analysis and understand the impact of each of chosen factors. The findings include the impact of disaster resilience, mitigation and planning at the SME level as well as the government level. Absence of accurate perception of actual risk, flood insurance and disaster management planning prior to 2011 floods had contributed to the severity of the impacts during 2011 floods.

Cost-benefit analysis of liquefaction mitigation strategies

<p>This paper presents a cost-benefit model as part of the options appraisal process to evaluate alternative ground mitigation interventions to reduce vulnerability and/or improve resilience of built assets to earthquake induced liquefaction disaster (EILD) events. The paper presents a review of alternative approaches to cost-benefit analysis and develops forward looking (risk based) and backward looking (impact based) cost-benefit models that can be used by practitioners and policy makers to improve community resilience through better contingency and disaster management planning. The paper customises the models against EILD scenarios and identifies the cost and benefit attributes that need to be assessed if the models are to be effectively integrated into a resilience assessment and improvement framework for improved community resilience to EILD events.</p>

Disaster Management and Exhibition Loans

Materials on loan to libraries and other cultural heritage institutions are very often historically significant, highly valuable, and frequently irreplaceable, yet traditional disaster management planning literature does not address the additional needs that items loaned for exhibitions present. In the event of an unforeseen incident, this omission leaves loan participants vulnerable to risk and exposed to potential loss. Disaster preparedness and response policies that address risks presented by exhibition loans, and that detail procedures for these materials, can help libraries minimize the potential loss of often prized and high profile borrowed materials in the event of an emergency. The chapter provides information and guidelines on how to address the needs of loaned materials into institutional contingency planning.

DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT IN MALAYSIA: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FROM THE PERSEPCTIVE OF AGENCIES

Disaster is a major threat that could jeopardise the development of economic, social and physical elements of a nation as well as the well-being of its people. The damage and loss of property and life caused by disasters are overwhelming and least desired by any country. Review of literature as presented in this research indicated that by having a good disaster risk management (DRM) plan and well-coordinated efforts and commitment among related disaster management agencies at all levels and local stakeholders, would potentially lead to disaster risk reductions, increase preparedness and response, and reduction of damage to assets and loss of life. With a long list of agencies and aid bodies that are currently involved in various stages of DRM, putting the idea into reality has proven to be highly challenging particularly on establishing good coordination between agencies and with other stakeholders for a more effective DRM process. This paper identified three major issues and challenges in DRM in Malaysia, particularly from the perspective of agencies. These issues and challenges include (1) disaster management planning imbalanced between top-down and bottom-up approaches, (2) lack of coordination in disaster management cycle, with greater focus only on the disaster emergency response stage and, (3) lack of planning of long-term recovery (post-disaster) process, which resulted in low level community and stakeholders’ resilience to disasters.

DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT IN MALAYSIA: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FROM THE PERSEPCTIVE OF AGENCIES

Disaster is a major threat that could jeopardise the development of economic, social and physical elements of a nation as well as the well-being of its people. The damage and loss of property and life caused by disasters are overwhelming and least desired by any country. Review of literature as presented in this research indicated that by having a good disaster risk management (DRM) plan and well-coordinated efforts and commitment among related disaster management agencies at all levels and local stakeholders, would potentially lead to disaster risk reductions, increase preparedness and response, and reduction of damage to assets and loss of life. With a long list of agencies and aid bodies that are currently involved in various stages of DRM, putting the idea into reality has proven to be highly challenging particularly on establishing good coordination between agencies and with other stakeholders for a more effective DRM process. This paper identified three major issues and challenges in DRM in Malaysia, particularly from the perspective of agencies. These issues and challenges include (1) disaster management planning imbalanced between top-down and bottom-up approaches, (2) lack of coordination in disaster management cycle, with greater focus only on the disaster emergency response stage and, (3) lack of planning of long-term recovery (post-disaster) process, which resulted in low level community and stakeholders’ resilience to disasters.

Modelling the drivers for sustainable agri-food waste management

Purpose The waste of invaluable agri-food produce is the concern of United Nations Organisation and all countries across the world. The purpose of this paper is to identify and model the drivers of agri-food waste management in India. Design/methodology/approach The interpretive structural modelling method is used to model the drivers in this study. This method helps in understanding the driver-dependent relationships among various drivers/criteria which are selected for studying. Findings The findings of the study vividly shows that the drivers such as disaster management planning, information dissemination, and training and awareness programs for farmers are most vital for tackling the issue. Research limitations/implications This work would help the policy makers in developing the effective policies regarding the management of agri-food waste in a sustainable manner. Practical implications This work would be very helpful for deeply understanding the causes of occurring waste and carefully handling it scientifically with a managerial perspective. Hence, it has the potential to reduce the generation of waste and saving the food for society. Social implications With the help of this study, the people, society, and underprivileged will be benefited directly. The savings in agri-food waste will not only help in controlling the prices of it but also its more availability would be beneficial for all in beating the hunger. Originality/value The identification of drivers for the sustainable management of agri-food is the novelty of this research.