By Ma Kyung-hee
Korea underwent rapid industrialization and urbanization from the 1960s to the 1980s. Explosive population growth in urban areas generated a high demand for infrastructure investment by the public and private sectors. Although urban development brought convenience to communities, it has also rendered them more susceptible to large-scale disasters given that most active infrastructure is currently obsolete or in disrepair. This risk seems to have increased with recent climate change patterns. Considering the magnitude of the problem, governmental and non-governmental agencies must investigate current disaster response planning to best prepare for the future.
A key component of disaster risk management is preparedness, but Korea still takes a reactive stance, with relatively little investment in proactive measures. For example, the Korean government typically sends emergency cash assistance following a disaster, which is important but often short-lived and insufficient for the long-term needs of disaster victims. Reactive financial support also does not contribute to community capacity building. Furthermore, as shown by the recent flooding in Korea, resource-limited communities suffer disproportionately from the effects of disasters, therefore, government leaders should examine structural flaws and formulate strategies for equitable resource allocation in preparation for disasters.
It is also concerning that community perspectives are often excluded from disaster recovery planning. This can lead to ineffective assistance, such as redundant and/or inappropriate relief supplies, which is wasteful and discouraging in such critical times. Understanding community dynamics and needs is essential, and this understanding can be gained and enhanced when viewing community members as valuable collaborators.
Properly trained volunteers can be a wonderful resource during the response and recovery process, but in reality, are often dispatched after only a brief orientation due to limited resources. As a result, they may jeopardize relief missions by providing inconsistent services and experience high levels of psychological distress related to relief work including vicarious trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Volunteer organizations should develop comprehensive volunteer onboarding processes that provide clear guidance for volunteers when working with affected communities. By doing so, volunteers' contributions can accomplish desired outcomes.
The last concern pertains to the lack of a specific definition of people vulnerable to disasters (e.g., individuals with reduced ability to prepare for and respond to disasters due to impaired mobility, chronic health conditions, language barriers, and/or social or economic constraints). This broad definition fails to make a distinction from general vulnerable populations in society and is based upon risk factors while excluding protective factors that galvanize resilience. Providing a robust definition specific to disaster contexts is a crucial step in developing targeted support services that address the various needs of vulnerable populations in disasters while fostering community strengths.
Each year disaster events become increasingly more frequent and intense. Although it may seem daunting at times, Koreans can unite to respond to and reduce disaster-related risks through collaborative planning, strategizing, and anticipatory measures. These collective efforts and shared responsibilities will nurture resilience as well as maximize disaster readiness.
Ma Kyung-hee (kyungheem@daum.net) is an editor and researcher. Her recent work focuses on community capacity building in the context of trauma and disasters.
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A key component of disaster risk management is preparedness, but Korea still takes a reactive stance, with relatively little investment in proactive measures. For example, the Korean government typically sends emergency cash assistance following a disaster, which is important but often short-lived and insufficient for the long-term needs of disaster victims. Reactive financial support also does not contribute to community capacity building. Furthermore, as shown by the recent flooding in Korea, resource-limited communities suffer disproportionately from the effects of disasters, therefore, government leaders should examine structural flaws and formulate strategies for equitable resource allocation in preparation for disasters.
It is also concerning that community perspectives are often excluded from disaster recovery planning. This can lead to ineffective assistance, such as redundant and/or inappropriate relief supplies, which is wasteful and discouraging in such critical times. Understanding community dynamics and needs is essential, and this understanding can be gained and enhanced when viewing community members as valuable collaborators.
Properly trained volunteers can be a wonderful resource during the response and recovery process, but in reality, are often dispatched after only a brief orientation due to limited resources. As a result, they may jeopardize relief missions by providing inconsistent services and experience high levels of psychological distress related to relief work including vicarious trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Volunteer organizations should develop comprehensive volunteer onboarding processes that provide clear guidance for volunteers when working with affected communities. By doing so, volunteers' contributions can accomplish desired outcomes.
The last concern pertains to the lack of a specific definition of people vulnerable to disasters (e.g., individuals with reduced ability to prepare for and respond to disasters due to impaired mobility, chronic health conditions, language barriers, and/or social or economic constraints). This broad definition fails to make a distinction from general vulnerable populations in society and is based upon risk factors while excluding protective factors that galvanize resilience. Providing a robust definition specific to disaster contexts is a crucial step in developing targeted support services that address the various needs of vulnerable populations in disasters while fostering community strengths.
Each year disaster events become increasingly more frequent and intense. Although it may seem daunting at times, Koreans can unite to respond to and reduce disaster-related risks through collaborative planning, strategizing, and anticipatory measures. These collective efforts and shared responsibilities will nurture resilience as well as maximize disaster readiness.
Ma Kyung-hee (kyungheem@daum.net) is an editor and researcher. Her recent work focuses on community capacity building in the context of trauma and disasters.
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