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Hirono M, Nurdin MR. Local knowledge as the basis of disaster management and humanitarian assistance. DISASTERS 2024; 48 Suppl 1:e12634. [PMID: 38888061 DOI: 10.1111/disa.12634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Recent policy discourse on the localisation of disaster management and humanitarian assistance lacks attention to the culture, history, and traditions of the Global South. This special issue of Disasters argues that it is imperative to recognise the dynamic, interactive, contested, and negotiated nature of local knowledge. Such local knowledge saves lives by enabling responders to situate ad hoc, one-off events such as disasters in the broader and deeper context of community relationships, thereby providing more appropriate and more effective aid. Through the cases of China, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, this special issue examines such dynamic local knowledge using an analytical framework consisting of three manifestations of local knowledge, namely: social capital; contextual historical memories; and adaptation to new ideas. These three manifestations show the ways in which local knowledge creates local capacity, via which local, national, and international disaster respondents can centre their response coordination, and in turn, demonstrate how local capacity reformulates local knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miwa Hirono
- College of Global Liberal Arts, Ritsumeikan University, Japan
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Wickrama T, Merten MJ, Wickrama KAS, Terrell A. Adolescents' Tsunami Exposure and Mental Health Consequences: Protective Role of Cultural Coping Strategies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:756. [PMID: 38929002 PMCID: PMC11203444 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
There is a knowledge gap regarding the link between disaster exposure and adolescent mental health problems in developing countries. This study examines the case of Sri Lanka to investigate (a) the immediate and long-term mental health impact of the 2004 tsunami disaster on adolescents and (b) the potential moderating effects of unique cultural and family practices that prevail in Sri Lanka. This study used a random sample of 160 adolescents (ages 12-19) and their mothers who were exposed to the tsunami disaster while living in a southern Sri Lankan village and provided prospective data immediately after the disaster (2005) and three years later (2008). A cross-culturally validated instrument assessed adolescent-mother dyads' tsunami exposure, stressful loss, family cultural rituals and familism, and adolescent mental health. Structural equation modeling analysis showed that exposure and perceptions of tsunami-induced stressful experiences were associated with early and later mental health problems in adolescents. In addition, this study found that unique cultural practices and familism moderated the link between adolescent tsunami exposure, stressful experiences, and levels of PTSD and depressive symptoms. The findings of this study could be utilized to develop prevention and intervention programs that are contextually and culturally valid and empirically supported, which would be more effective for trauma-exposed adolescents in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thulitha Wickrama
- Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA;
| | - Michael J. Merten
- Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA;
| | - K. A. S. Wickrama
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
| | - Amanda Terrell
- School of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA;
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Burrage RL, Mills KJ, Coyaso HC, Gronowski CK, Godinet MT. Community Resilience and Cultural Responses in Crisis: Lessons Learned from Pacific Islander Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the USA. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2024; 11:560-573. [PMID: 36849862 PMCID: PMC9970122 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01541-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Pacific Islander communities in the USA experienced some of the most severe effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative synthesis examines the literature on Pacific Islander community responses and lessons learned from COVID-19, using a systematic search that identified 28 articles with this focus. Thematic analysis was subsequently used to classify both documented efforts by Pacific Islander communities to respond to the pandemic, as well as lessons learned and best practices from research in this area. Results revealed multiple efforts to address the pandemic, including Pacific Islander grassroots approaches, government responses, inter-sector collaboration, and research. Results further emphasized the importance of culturally and linguistically responsive outreach and messaging; partnership, engagement, and capacity building; and changes in research and policy approaches to promote health equity. Future efforts to address public health crises should make the most of Pacific Islander cultural approaches to disaster response. To achieve this, government and other organizations that work with PI communities need to support the development of the PI leadership, healthcare and research workforces, and work with Pacific Islander communities to build long-term, sustainable, and trustworthy partnerships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Burrage
- Department of Social Work, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, USA.
| | - Kelsey J Mills
- Department of Social Work, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, USA
| | - Hope C Coyaso
- Department of Social Work, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, USA
| | - Chrisovolandou K Gronowski
- Department of Social Work, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, USA
| | - Meripa T Godinet
- Department of Social Work, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, USA
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Burkhart S, Hayman A, Lam F, Jones B, Horsey B, Craven D, Underhill S. School food programmes in the Pacific Islands: exploring opportunities and challenges for creating healthier school food environments. Public Health Nutr 2022; 26:1-12. [PMID: 36404716 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980022001951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The school setting can provide an environment that supports healthy behaviours, including the provision of food. School food activities, that is, school feeding, are commonplace globally, but not well understood in the Pacific Islands region. The aim of this research is to explore learnings associated within existing school food programmes (SFP), and adoption resistors in those Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICT) without SFP, with the intent of improving current and future SFP interventions. DESIGN This observational cross-sectional study utilised four facilitated workshop sessions to explore SFP within an existing framework. SETTING Pacific Islands region. PARTICIPANTS Fourteen participants representing the education and health sectors from eleven PICT, and two participants representing regional organisations. RESULTS Most countries reported some form of related policy, but key critical constraints to the use of SFP included local food environments, strategic alignment to organisational priorities, advocacy and organisational leadership, and community and cultural connections and collaboration. There are opportunities for integration of SFP into existing frameworks (i.e. Health Promoting Schools), increased collaboration, greater professional development and awareness activities, improved monitoring and evaluation, improved awareness of SFP and promotion of healthy eating for the wider school community. CONCLUSIONS Given the current health, social and economic challenges faced by countries and territories in the Pacific Islands region, SFP should be considered as an opportunity for food provision and associated nutrition education for students and their wider community. Further research is needed to understand the critical constraints of SFP in this region and how to support stakeholders to advocate for, develop and sustain SFP that are contextually and culturally appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Burkhart
- Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore, Queensland4557, Australia
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ann Hayman
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands, Samoa
| | - Fiasili Lam
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands, Samoa
| | - Breanna Jones
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bridget Horsey
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dana Craven
- Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore, Queensland4557, Australia
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
| | - Steven Underhill
- Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore, Queensland4557, Australia
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Miara MD, Negadi M, Tabak S, Bendif H, Dahmani W, Ait Hammou M, Sahnoun T, Snorek J, Porcher V, Reyes‐García V, Teixidor‐Toneu I. Climate Change Impacts Can Be Differentially Perceived Across Time Scales: A Study Among the Tuareg of the Algerian Sahara. GEOHEALTH 2022; 6:e2022GH000620. [PMID: 36330077 PMCID: PMC9623530 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
As an Indigenous community of Algeria and the broader Sahel, the Tuareg hold unique ecological knowledge, which might contribute to broader models of place-based climate change impacts. Between January and April 2019, we carried out semi-structured interviews (N = 23) and focus group discussions (N = 3) in five villages of the province of Illizi, Algeria, to document the local Tuareg community's timeline and ecological calendar, both of which are instruments used to understand place-based reports of climate change impacts. The livelihoods of the Tuareg of Illizi are finely tuned to climate variability as reflected in changes reported in the cadence of events in their ecological calendar (marked by cyclical climatic and religious events). Participants reported rain and temperature irregularities and severe drought events, which have impacted their pastoral and semi-pastoral livelihoods. These reports are aligned with scientifically measured climate observations and predictions. Paradoxically, although participants recall with detail the climatic disasters that happened in the region over the last century, the Tuareg do not explicitly report decadal trends in the frequency of extreme events. The differential perception of climate change impacts across scales can have important implications for undertaking climate change adaptation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. D. Miara
- Department and Faculty of Nature and Life SciencesLaboratory of Agro‐Biotechnology and Nutrition in Semi‐arid AreasIbn Khaldoun University of TiaretTiaretAlgeria
| | - M. Negadi
- Department and Faculty of Nature and Life SciencesLaboratory of Agro‐Biotechnology and Nutrition in Semi‐arid AreasIbn Khaldoun University of TiaretTiaretAlgeria
| | - S. Tabak
- Department and Faculty of Nature and Life SciencesLaboratory of Agro‐Biotechnology and Nutrition in Semi‐arid AreasIbn Khaldoun University of TiaretTiaretAlgeria
| | - H. Bendif
- Department of Natural and Life SciencesFaculty of SciencesUniversity of M'silaM'silaAlgeria
| | - W. Dahmani
- Department and Faculty of Nature and Life SciencesLaboratory of Agro‐Biotechnology and Nutrition in Semi‐arid AreasIbn Khaldoun University of TiaretTiaretAlgeria
| | - M. Ait Hammou
- Department and Faculty of Nature and Life SciencesLaboratory of Agro‐Biotechnology and Nutrition in Semi‐arid AreasIbn Khaldoun University of TiaretTiaretAlgeria
| | - T. Sahnoun
- House of Agriculture of the Wilaya of IlliziIlliziAlgeria
| | - J. Snorek
- Department of Environmental StudiesDartmouth CollegeHanoverNHUSA
| | - V. Porcher
- Insitut de Ciència i Tecnologia AmbientalsUniveristat Autònoma de BarcelonaBellaterraSpain
| | - V. Reyes‐García
- Insitut de Ciència i Tecnologia AmbientalsUniveristat Autònoma de BarcelonaBellaterraSpain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA)BarcelonaSpain
| | - I. Teixidor‐Toneu
- Natural History MuseumUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Centre d’Écologie Fonctionnelle et ÉvolutiveCNRSMontpellierFrance
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Singh P, Tabe T, Martin T. The role of women in community resilience to climate change: A case study of an Indigenous Fijian community. WOMENS STUDIES INTERNATIONAL FORUM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wsif.2021.102550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Cerna-Turoff I, Fischer HT, Mansourian H, Mayhew S. The pathways between natural disasters and violence against children: a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1249. [PMID: 34247619 PMCID: PMC8273959 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11252-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Natural disasters are increasingly affecting a larger segment of the world’s population. These highly disruptive events have the potential to produce negative changes in social dynamics and the environment which increase violence against children. We do not currently have a comprehensive understanding of how natural disasters lead to violence against children despite the growing threat to human populations and the importance of violence as a public health issue. The mapping of pathways to violence is critical in designing targeted and evidence-based prevention services for children. We systematically reviewed peer-reviewed articles and grey literature to document the pathways between natural disasters and violence against children and to suggest how this information could be used in the design of future programming. Methods We searched 15 bibliographic databases and six grey literature repositories from the earliest date of publication to May 16, 2018. In addition, we solicited grey literature from humanitarian agencies globally that implement child-focused programming after natural disasters. Peer-reviewed articles and grey literature that presented original quantitative or qualitative evidence on how natural disasters led to violence against children were included. The authors synthesized the evidence narratively and used thematic analysis with a constant comparative method to articulate pathways to violence. Results We identified 6276 unduplicated publications. Nine peer-reviewed articles and 17 grey literature publications met the inclusion criteria. The literature outlined five pathways between natural disasters and violence, including: (i) environmentally induced changes in supervision, accompaniment, and child separation; (ii) transgression of social norms in post-disaster behavior; (iii) economic stress; (iv) negative coping with stress; and (v) insecure shelter and living conditions. Conclusions Service providers would benefit from systematic documentation to a high-quality standard of all possible pathways to violence in tailoring programming after natural disasters. The identified pathways in this review provide a foundation for designing targeted prevention services. In addition, the positive coping strategies within certain affected families and communities can be leveraged in implementing strength-based approaches to violence prevention. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11252-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilan Cerna-Turoff
- Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | | | - Hani Mansourian
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Susannah Mayhew
- Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Portacolone E, Chodos A, Halpern J, Covinsky KE, Keiser S, Fung J, Rivera E, Tran T, Bykhovsky C, Johnson JK. The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lived Experience of Diverse Older Adults Living Alone With Cognitive Impairment. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2021; 61:251-261. [PMID: 33404634 PMCID: PMC7901518 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnaa201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults with cognitive impairment living alone (an estimated 4.3 million individuals in the United States) were at high risk for negative health outcomes. There is an urgent need to learn how this population is managing during the pandemic. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This is a qualitative study of 24 adults aged 55 and older living alone with cognitive impairment from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds. Participants' lived experiences during the pandemic were elicited via 59 ethnographic interviews conducted over the phone either in English, Spanish, or Cantonese. Using a qualitative content analysis approach, interview transcripts were analyzed to identify codes and themes. RESULTS Qualitative analysis of transcripts revealed 5 themes: (a) fear generated by the pandemic, (b) distress stemming from feeling extremely isolated, (c) belief in misinformation, (d) strategies for coping during the pandemic, and (e) the importance of access to essential services. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS This pandemic put a spotlight on the precarity and unmet needs of older adults living alone with cognitive impairment. Findings underscore the need to expand access to home care aides and mental health services for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Portacolone
- Institute for Health & Aging, University of California San Francisco, USA
| | - Anna Chodos
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of California San Francisco, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, USA
| | - Jodi Halpern
- School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, USA
| | - Kenneth E Covinsky
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of California San Francisco, USA
| | - Sahru Keiser
- Institute for Health & Aging, University of California San Francisco, USA
| | - Jennifer Fung
- Institute for Health & Aging, University of California San Francisco, USA
| | - Elizabeth Rivera
- Institute for Health & Aging, University of California San Francisco, USA
| | - Thi Tran
- Institute for Health & Aging, University of California San Francisco, USA
| | - Camilla Bykhovsky
- Institute for Health & Aging, University of California San Francisco, USA
| | - Julene K Johnson
- Institute for Health & Aging, University of California San Francisco, USA
- Center for Aging in Diverse Communities, University of California San Francisco, USA
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Shah S, Bhat JA. Ethnomedicinal knowledge of indigenous communities and pharmaceutical potential of rainforest ecosystems in Fiji Islands. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE-JIM 2019; 17:244-249. [DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Rai P, Khawas V. Traditional knowledge system in disaster risk reduction: Exploration, acknowledgement and proposition. JAMBA (POTCHEFSTROOM, SOUTH AFRICA) 2019; 11:484. [PMID: 31205612 PMCID: PMC6556961 DOI: 10.4102/jamba.v11i1.484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The last 60 years have witnessed advanced technological innovation for disaster risk reduction (DRR) with the invention of high-resolution satellite imagery, digital cartography and modern engineering building techniques to high-yielding agricultural production. However, none have been highly satisfying in lessening the impact of disasters. The significant factor for the limited success of modern scientific society is that it views the world from a temporal perspective where humans are believed to be an active agent in modifying every natural possibility into opportunity. The very composite environmental system is simplified whilst extracting resources, resulting in resource depletion and environmental degradation, consequently opening the door for disaster. Technocratic science must recognise the need for a relational or holistic approach rather than believing in reductionist approaches alone whilst dealing with natural calamities. In this context, the knowledge of traditional societies is important to fill up the existing gaps created by the modern society. Traditional knowledge has different sets of ingredients to foster the development of the relational or holistic approach as it involves, interacts and interconnects humans, non-humans (animals and plants) and nature together, setting a perfect balance for sustainable development and DRR. It has vast undocumented observational data of changing natural phenomena, and in today's scenario of climate change and uncertainty, it can create a path for reliable adaptation measures from climate-induced disasters. Thus, a holistic approach is needed for comprehensive DRR measures where both scientific and traditional knowledge systems can work together. The main purpose of this article was to explore the effective ingredients of traditional knowledge in DRR and how this age-old wisdom can be offered a hand to its integration into and collaboration with scientific research and management for DRR. To fulfil the objectives, a theoretical desk study approach was followed by identifying relevant studies, highlighting traditional knowledge in DRR from empirical and grey literatures, archive materials, biblical stories and so on. This research highlights some of the good practices of traditional knowledge in DRR and the possible path of collaboration of two knowledge systems in DRR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pribat Rai
- Department of Geography, Sikkim University, Gangtok, India
| | - Vimal Khawas
- Department of Peace and Conflict Studies and Management, Sikkim University, Gangtok, India
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Dube E, Munsaka E. The contribution of indigenous knowledge to disaster risk reduction activities in Zimbabwe: A big call to practitioners. JAMBA (POTCHEFSTROOM, SOUTH AFRICA) 2018; 10:493. [PMID: 29955265 PMCID: PMC6014067 DOI: 10.4102/jamba.v10i1.493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This article examined the contribution of indigenous knowledge to disaster risk reduction activities in Zimbabwe. The current discourse underrates the use of indigenous knowledge of communities by practitioners when dealing with disasters', as the knowledge is often viewed as outdated and primitive. This study, which was conducted in 2016, sought to examine this problem through analysing the potential contribution of indigenous knowledge as a useful disaster risk reduction intervention. Tsholotsho district in Matabeleland, North province of Zimbabwe, which frequently experiences perennial devastating floods, was used as a case study. Interviews and researcher observations were used to gather data from 40 research participants. The findings were that communities understand weather patterns and could predict imminent flooding after studying trees and clouds, and the behaviours of certain animal species. Local communities also use available local resources to put structural measures in place as part of disaster risk reduction interventions. Despite this important potential, the study found that the indigenous knowledge of disaster risk reduction of the communities is often shunned by practitioners. The practitioners claim that indigenous knowledge lacks documentation, it is not found in all generational classes, it is contextualised to particular communities and the knowledge cannot be scientifically validated. The study concluded that both local communities and disaster risk reduction practitioners can benefit from the indigenous knowledge of communities. This research has the potential to benefit communities, policymakers and disaster risk reduction practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Dube
- Department of Development Studies, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe
| | - Edson Munsaka
- Faculty of Commerce, National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe
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Homer CS, Turkmani S, Rumsey M. The state of midwifery in small island Pacific nations. Women Birth 2017; 30:193-199. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2017.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Marcelin LH, Cela T, Shultz JM. Haiti and the politics of governance and community responses to Hurricane Matthew. DISASTER HEALTH 2016; 3:151-161. [PMID: 28321361 DOI: 10.1080/21665044.2016.1263539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
This article examines disaster preparedness and community responses to Hurricane Matthew in semi-urban and rural towns and villages in Grande-Anse, Haiti. Based on an ethnographic study conducted in the department of Grande-Anse one week after the hurricane made landfall in Haiti, the article focuses on the perspectives of citizens, community-based associations and local authorities in the affected areas. Sixty-three (63) interviews and 8 community meetings (focus groups) were conducted in 11 impacted sites in 8 communes. Results suggest that preexisting conditions in impacted communities, rather than deliberate and coordinated disaster management strategies, shaped levels of preparedness for and response to the disaster. Affected populations relied primarily on family networks and local forms of solidarity to attend to basic needs such as shelter, health and food. The main argument presented is that Haiti, by virtue of its geographic location, lack of resources, institutional fragility and vulnerability, must systematically integrate community-based assets and capacities in its responses to and management of disasters. Further, it is critical for the government, Haitian institutions, and society to apply integrated risk reduction and management and disaster preparedness measures in all aspects of life, if the country is to survive the many disasters to come in a time of climate change. These measures should be embedded in recovery and reconstruction efforts after Hurricane Matthew.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Herns Marcelin
- Interuniversity Institute for Research and Development (INURED), Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Department of Anthropology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Toni Cela
- Interuniversity Institute for Research and Development (INURED), Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Department of Anthropology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - James M Shultz
- Center for Disaster & Extreme Event Preparedness (DEEP Center), University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, FL, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Kuruppu
- International Institute for Global Health, United Nations University, 56000 Cheras, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Anthony Capon
- International Institute for Global Health, United Nations University, 56000 Cheras, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Does Previous Experience of Floods Stimulate the Adoption of Coping Strategies? Evidence from Cross Sectional Surveys in Nigeria and Tanzania. ENVIRONMENTS 2015. [DOI: 10.3390/environments2040565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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