What makes a successful livelihood recovery? a study of China’s Lushan earthquake

Abstract

Due to China’s exposure and susceptibility to natural hazards, it is important for governments and aid agencies to have tools that enable effective post-disaster livelihood recovery in creating self-sufficiency for the affected population. This paper introduces a framework of critical components that constitute a successful livelihood recovery by studying the perceptions and perspectives of those affected by the 2013 Lushan earthquake in Sichuan Province. A mixed method, namely a pilot study, questionnaire survey and interviews, was used. While the populations surveyed valued the employment benefits of creating new market and economic sectors in areas where rural farming was predominant prior to the earthquake, they considered that recovery of their housing was most essential for livelihood diversification. External assistance was also regarded highly in assisting with livelihood recovery, in which family ties and social connections seemed to have played a larger role than that of government agencies and NGOs. Lastly, the results highlighted that a goal of livelihood recovery cannot be achieved without individual well-being being considered, in relation to people’s perceptions about quality of life and their physical and mental health. This paper aims to assist the Chinese policy makers and practitioners in disaster recovery in setting an agenda of preparing for livelihood recovery in peace times, or of post-disaster recovery planning should a disaster event occurs so that the economic impact and livelihood burdens of those affected can be effectively mitigated.