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Article
Publication date: 27 May 2014

Paulina Aldunce, Ruth Beilin, John Handmer and Mark Howden

To confront the increasingly devastating impacts of disasters and the challenges that climate change is posing to disaster risk management (DRM) there is an imperative to further…

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Abstract

Purpose

To confront the increasingly devastating impacts of disasters and the challenges that climate change is posing to disaster risk management (DRM) there is an imperative to further develop DRM. The resilience approach is emerging as one way to do this, and in the last decade has been strongly introduced into the policy arena, although it is not new for DRM practitioners and researchers. Nevertheless, resilience is a highly contested issue, and there is no agreed definition of it, which has resulted in confusion for stakeholders when applying it to practice. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how resilience is framed by researchers and DRM practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

The analytical framework used was Hajer's “social-interactive discourse theory”, combined with analysis of government documents, in-depth interviews with practitioners and observation of field and practices within the context of the Natural Disaster Resilience Program in Queensland, Australia.

Findings

One of the key findings is that the idea of “bouncing back” is central to the resilience discourse but different interpretations of this idea results in real-world implications. Three different ways (storylines) in which practitioners construct the meaning of disaster resilience emerge from this study. Importantly the divergences between these storylines reveal possibilities for reframing to occur and these could lead to different policy options and practices.

Originality/value

The results presented in this paper offer empirical evidence on how resilience is understood on the ground, contributing to extending resilience theory and informing DRM and resilience practice.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management, vol. 23 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

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Article
Publication date: 27 February 2007

Paulina Aldunce and Alejandro León

This paper seeks to propose measures to improve management of rainfall‐related disasters in Chile.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to propose measures to improve management of rainfall‐related disasters in Chile.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was carried out as a case study in the semi‐arid region of Chile where above‐normal rainy events occur once or twice during some rainy seasons. Measures to improve management are suggested based on theory, field data, and community participation. The method was based on a review of both the scientific literature and the local media; and a semi‐structured survey that was applied to local parties, including the population affected by past disasters. Also, some participatory activities (i.e. workshops) were organized in order to include the community opinions.

Findings

Results show that there have been significant advances during the last decade in Chile regarding disaster management. Yet, improvements need to be done at the local level in order to achieve a holistic, proactive and integrative management, including community participation and sharing responsibilities. A key element is increased coordination and cooperation.

Practical implications

Benefit the communities and public agencies associated with disaster management, through practical recommendations based on theoretical issues and findings derived from fieldwork.

Originality/value

This is one of the very few scientific research efforts done in Chile based on a case study that includes social aspects (e.g. community participation, social vulnerability) and disaster management.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

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