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Some Considerations in Planning for and Managing Community Recovery Following Disaster

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2024

Kerry Gartland
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Understanding of what constitutes a disaster has altered over time in accordance with changing notions of cause and effects. The “Black Death” which swept Europe was then regarded as inevitable, with some religious groups descibing it as “An Act of God”. Perception of disaster has moved from an emphasis on the physical effects of an event, such as cyclone, fire or chemical explosion, to a perception that the extent of deleterious effects is predominately a social issue.

“Sociologically, a disaster is an event, located in time and space, that produces conditions whereby the continuity of the structure and processes of social units becomes problematic. Disaster agents may differ as to their cause, frequency, controllability, speed and onset, length of forewarning, duration, scope of impact and destructive potential” (Dynes, 1975).

Type
Research Article
Information
Children Australia , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , 1987 , pp. 13 - 14
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

References

1. Dynes, R.R., and adapted from statement by Quarantelli, E.L., “Helping Behavior on Large'Scale Disasters”, Participation in Social and Political Activities (San Francisco, Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1980) page 340.Google Scholar
2. Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. A compendium of current knowledge. Vol. 12. Social and Sociological Aspects (UNDRO New York, 1986) page 9.Google Scholar
3. Raphael, B. “When Disaster Strikes” (Hutchinson? London, 1986) page 302.Google Scholar
4. “Disaster Prevention and Mitigation”. A compendium of current knowledge. Vol.12. Social and Sociological Aspects (UNDRO New York, 1986) page 9.Google Scholar
5. Annual Report of the Department of Community Services, Victoria. 30th June, 1986. page 5.Google Scholar