Events

CHAIRPERSON

Assoc Prof Maitrii Aung Thwin, Department of History, National University of Singapore

ABSTRACT

Much attention in the international literature is now paid to reducing the vulnerabilities and enhancing the resilience of disaster impacted communities through government and NGO initiated disaster preparation and mitigation plans. Yet despite these best efforts, in most disasters certain social groups – women, the very young and the aged – continue to bear the brunt of disaster mortalities and morbidities. Survey results from Asian disasters in recent years indicate the disproportional impact such events continue to have on females of all ages, both in terms of mortalities and post-disaster recovery potential. While more attention is accorded the consequences of disasters for key vulnerable social groups, policies to address the longer term livelihoods issues remain in abeyance. In general, the consequences of these crisis events for women in the 15 – 50 year old age groups who may be re-forming families dominate the discourse. Little attention is given to the social, cultural and economic issues impacting on older women, those with disabilities, and those who suddenly become female-headed households. Sustainable, long term reconstruction of livelihoods after a disaster is complex, requires the integrated interactions of several levels of social and governance sectors, and cognizance of the cross-cutting effects of culture and leadership as they impact on the disaster site. This paper will discuss the possibilities for greater collaboration between the local community-level, the civil society level, and national level DRR initiatives in responding to the needs of vulnerable social groups – women, youth and the aged – for more effective disaster preparation and post-disaster reconstruction.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Helen James is an Associate Professor (adjunct) with the Department of Anthropology, School of Culture, History and Language, College of Asia Pacific, ANU. She is the lead chief investigator for the ARC funded project, “Demographic Consequences of Asian Disasters: Family Dynamics, Social Capital and Migration Patterns” (DP120100606). She researches and lectures on Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Governance, Population, Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the ANU. Her multidisciplinary work draws on the disciplines of anthropology, politics, history, demography and international studies in relation to Southeast/East Asia, Thailand and Myanmar. She has published eight books and over 60 articles and chapters in books. Her edited book (with Douglas Paton) on The Consequences of Disasters: Demographic, Planning and Policy Implications, will be published by Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, this year. She has been a Visiting Fellow at the Centre of International Studies, Cambridge University; the Swedish International Peace Research Institute, and the East-West Centre, Hawaii. In 2004 she was elected a Life Member of Clare Hall, Cambridge University. Her current research interests lie in the fields of disaster risk reduction and governance; civil society, social capital, climate change and sustainable development; and citizenship, human security and international development.

REGISTRATION

Admission is free. We would greatly appreciate if you RSVP to Ms Tay Minghua via email: minghua.tay@nus.edu.sg.