Challenges Associated with Creeping Disasters in Disaster Risk Science and Practice: Considering Disaster Onset Dynamics

zhenqiang Wang; Gaofeng Jia

doi:10.1007/s13753-022-00391-9

Volume 13 Issue 1

Mar. 2022

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zhenqiang Wang, Gaofeng Jia. Challenges Associated with Creeping Disasters in Disaster Risk Science and Practice: Considering Disaster Onset Dynamics[J]. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2022, 13(1): 1-11. doi: 10.1007/s13753-022-00391-9

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zhenqiang Wang, Gaofeng Jia. Challenges Associated with Creeping Disasters in Disaster Risk Science and Practice: Considering Disaster Onset Dynamics[J]. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2022, 13(1): 1-11. doi: 10.1007/s13753-022-00391-9

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Challenges Associated with Creeping Disasters in Disaster Risk Science and Practice: Considering Disaster Onset Dynamics

doi: 10.1007/s13753-022-00391-9

zhenqiang Wang^1,2,
Gaofeng Jia¹

1 Department of Social Sciences and Business, Roskilde University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark;
2. Department of Technology and Safety, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway

Funds:

odowska-Curie Grant Agreement No.897656.

This work was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skł

Available Online: 2022-03-04

Abstract

Abstract

In this article, we set out to reconcile a general conceptualization of disaster temporalities by drawing on the epitome example of a creeping disaster, namely famine. Our argument is driven by the recognition that slowly manifesting disaster impacts pose distinct challenges for decision makers and researchers while there is a tendency for the disaster literature to overlook the role of disaster onset dynamics. More specifically and as a starting point, we identify four key themes that merit particular attention when dealing with creeping disasters:(1) our understanding of disaster as a phenomenon; (2) measurement and operationalization; (3) early warning and response; and (4) disaster management and termination. By integrating conceptual discussions of disaster with famine scholarship-a phenomenon often excluded from mainstream disaster research-this article provides fresh perspectives on disaster science as well as a number of implications for how we think about disaster risk reduction.
- Disaster response,
- Early warning,
- Famine disasters,
- Slow-onset disasters

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References(83)

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