Preparing for Low-Frequency, Extreme Natural Hazards: Contributing to Human Security by Enhancing ‘Freedom from Hazard Impact’

Abstract

In contrast to daily risks, low-frequency but extreme natural hazard events are often seen as the lowest priority risk (Cannon 2006). However, the fact of increasing extreme natural events in the light of global environmental and climate change (IPCC 2007) implies that there is an emerging necessity to get prepared for hitherto low-frequency, but extreme hazard events. The occurrence of mega-disasters such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 demonstrated the horrifying impacts of such extreme hazard events on the people exposed causing a tremendous threat to human security. High death tolls with large numbers of Internally Displaced People (IDP) and the destruction of critical infrastructures causing social disruptions and long term development retardation are the consequences. On the other hand, it has opened a window of opportunity to promote preparedness even in regions which have not experienced extreme hazard events in the last decades. Enhancing human security by promoting preparedness and resilience of societies confronted with natural hazards is an important step forward meeting the challenge of “freedom from hazard impact” as one of the three dimensions of human security (Brauch 2005: 23; 2005a). In contrast to frequent hazards and risks that people face and might experience daily, getting prepared for low-frequency, extreme hazard events is a major challenge (18.3). The chapter examines these challenges and outlines new approaches on how natural hazards and global environmental change can be assessed with concepts of human security. In this regard, a key concept is vulnerability (18.2). The chapter presents a case study assessing community preparedness to tsunami, which shows that even communities which have not experienced any major tsunami event for decades are getting prepared (18.4). The preparedness assessment takes into consideration: knowledge and attitude (awareness), policy and guidelines, emergency planning, warning system and capacity mobilizing resources. The results underline that individuals and households already have a good knowledge of the tsunami, whereas the actions and coping capacity in terms of emergency planning and resource mobilization are still insufficient. Important preparedness activities were carried out initially by NGOs and later on also by the local government. Overall, the chapter shows the difficulties of raising awareness and getting prepared for low-frequency, but extreme hazard events and shows, drawing on the example of the city of Padang in Sumatra, where these activities are currently being carried out. The assessment approach also provides insights for measuring preparedness even in regions which have not experienced a major hazard event for decades (18.5).