A snapshot of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami: societal impacts and consequences

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the societal impacts and consequences of the December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.Design/methodology/approachOne month after the tsunami, a group of social science researchers from the Disaster Research Center, University of Delaware, and the Emergency Administration and Planning Program, University of North Texas, participated in an Earthquake Engineering Research Institute reconnaissance team, which traveled to some of the most affected areas in India and Sri Lanka. Data were obtained through informal interviews, participant observation, and systematic document gathering.FindingsThis research yielded important data and information on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. A number of issues are identified that emerged from the field observations, including: tsunami education and awareness; the devastation and the loss; economic impact; mental health issues; irregularities and inequities in community based response and recovery efforts and in the distribution of disaster relief aid; gender and inequality; and relocation and housing issues.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights the role and importance of generating integrated early warning systems and strategies aimed at fostering sustainable recovery and building disaster resilient communities.Originality/valueAn extensive amount of perishable data were collected thus providing a better understanding of the societal impacts of disasters on impoverished communities. A number of emerging issues are identified that should be of primary concern in efforts to protect populations residing in coastal regions throughout the world from similar catastrophes.

A Detailed Study on Identification and Categorization of Various Constraints Faced by Cashew Growers in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu Post the Impact of Thane Storm, India

“…This is in line with the findings of Rodriguez et al, (2006) who reported that Tsunami affected Agricultural labourers have been left out of the proposed relief packages offered by the government.…”

“…Rodriguez et al, (2006) reported that "in some instances, NGOs duplicated efforts or provided assistance not suited to the locale or to the varying population sizes.…”

A framework for examining leadership in extreme contexts

“…Going beyond an extreme event, we define an extreme context as an environment where one or more extreme events are occurring or are likely to occur that may exceed the organization's capacity to prevent and result in an extensive and intolerable magnitude of physical, psychological, or material consequences to-or in close physical or psycho-social proximity to-organization members. 4 Examples include the Mann Gulch (Weick, 1993) and South Canyon fires (Useem, Cook, & Sutton, 2005), Indian Ocean Tsunami (Athukorala & Resosudarmo, 2005;Rodriquez, Wachtendorf, Kendra, & Trainor, 2006), Bhopal Chemical release (Bowman & Kunreuther, 1988;Shrivastava, 1987;Union Carbide Report, 1985), Three Mile Island meltdown (Hopkins, 2001;Perrow, 1997), Columbia Space Shuttle explosion (Heimann, 1993;Starbuck & Miliken, 1988;Vaughan, 1996), Westray mine disaster (Hynes & Prasad, 1997), Mount Everest climbing incidents (Kayes, 2004;Tempest, Starkey, & Ennew, 2007), hurricane Katrina (Comfort, 2007;Gheytanchi et al, 2007;Kapucu & Van Wart, 2006;Rego & Garau, 2007), Tenerife airplane collision (Weick, 1990), Chernobyl (Hohenemser, Deicher, Ernst, Hofsäss, Lindner, & Recknagel (1986)), numerous military leadership and combat studies (e.g., Cosby et al, 2006;Morath, Ccurnow, Cronin, Leonard, & McGonigle, 2006;Leonard, Polich, Peterson, Sorter, & Moore, 2006;Department of the Army, 1950Scales, 2006;Snook, 2000;Ulmer, Shaler, Bullis, DiClemente, & Jacobs, 2004;Wong, Bliese, & McGurk, 2003) and organizational doctrine such as the U. S. Army (Department of the Army, 2006) and National Wildfire Service (2007) leadership manuals.…”

Federal Disaster Mental Health Response and Compliance with Best Practices

“…A safe environment has a great impact on the perceived safety of an individual, and thus affects their psychological sense of safety. Those victims who are able to retreat to a safer environment prior to, or during the disaster will fare better over time (Rodriguez, Wachtendorf, Kendra, & Trainor, 2006). If safety is not established, the sense of threat will be exaggerated and it will prevent a psychological return to safety (Hobfoll et al, 2007).…”

“…After the Indian Ocean Tsunami, fishermen were unable to work and provide for their families. This change in responsibility of care contributed greatly to the inability of those individuals to feel safe and secure, disrupting the establishment of emotional regulation (Rodriguez et al, 2006). This is why the establishment of a preexisting infrastructure is essential when developing a disaster mental health response plan.…”