Disaster Recovery Research Articles

Improving household and community disaster recovery: Evidence on the role of insurance

AbstractWe study the role of insurance in improving household and community disaster recovery. Our analysis harnesses both a unique survey of residents impacted by four land‐falling hurricanes in the United States and foot traffic data on visits to local businesses. Households sort into two groups when it comes to financing recovery: those primarily using property insurance and those largely uninsured, instead relying more on friends and family. Insurance improves households' ability to participate in the local economy. Postflood visitation rates to many local businesses increase with greater flood insurance take‐up rates. Expanded participation in the local economy is consistent with insurance reducing financial constraints; indeed, insured households are less likely to report experiencing high financial burdens in both the short and longer‐run postdisaster and are less likely to have unmet funding needs. Despite this, motivating the purchase of disaster insurance remains challenging, particularly among low‐income households who perceive insurance as less useful.

The Interplay of Climate and Disaster in Men's Stories of the 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake in Aotearoa New Zealand1

This paper contributes to the emerging field of men, masculinities, and disasters by drawing on narratives of men's accounts of the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, including how stories of the earthquake intersect with experiences and understandings of extreme weather and climate change. A qualitative methodology was employed, and semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 19 men who experienced the 7.8 magnitude earthquake. This article offers an examination of the complexity of disaster experiences and recovery, as well as how people make sense of hazards and risks. We argue that ongoing exposure to climate hazards informed participant's responses to other infrequent natural hazard events, such as the Kaikōura earthquake. The research identified that men construct their own understandings and responses to natural hazards through a hierarchy of risk perception and probability based on personal experience.

Toward Optimal Virtualization: An Updated Comparative Analysis of Docker and LXD Container Technologies

Traditional hypervisor-assisted virtualization is a leading virtualization technology in data centers, providing cost savings (CapEx and OpEx), high availability, and disaster recovery. However, its inherent overhead may hinder performance and seems not scale or be flexible enough for certain applications, such as microservices, where deploying an application using a virtual machine is a longer and resource-intensive process. Container-based virtualization has received attention, especially with Docker, as an alternative, which also facilitates continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD). Meanwhile, LXD has reactivated the interest in Linux LXC containers, which provides unique operations, including live migration and full OS emulation. A careful analysis of both options is crucial for organizations to decide which best suits their needs. This study revisits key concepts about containers, exposes the advantages and limitations of each container technology, and provides an up-to-date performance comparison between both types of containers (applicational vs. system). Using extensive benchmarks and well-known workload metrics such as CPU scores, disk speed, and network throughput, we assess their performance and quantify their virtualization overhead. Our results show a clear overall trend toward meritorious performance and the maturity of both technologies (Docker and LXD), with low overhead and scalable performance. Notably, LXD shows greater stability with consistent performance variability.

Survey of Connectivity Restoration in 3D Wireless Ad Hoc/Sensor Networks

Wireless ad hoc/sensor networks (WASN) have seen increased application in three-dimensional (3D) environments, such as underwater and aerial scenarios. However, WASN may be fragmented or unable to connect continuously due to the harsh surrounding environment or high mobility. Therefore, restoring the network connectivity and transmit data in real time is very important. This paper focuses on the critical task of restoring network connectivity in 3D WASN, a complex issue given that existing connectivity restoration algorithms for two-dimensional environments are not directly applicable or become overly complicated in 3D contexts. We present a comprehensive analysis of the current research landscape, summarizing key findings related to various aspects of 3D WASN connectivity restoration. These aspects include the application environment (underwater, in the sky, and recovery disaster), opportunities for restoration (active, passive, and active/passive), implementation strategies (clustering and sleep scheduling), and resource constraints (node deployment and movement control). Our study also proposes a classification of connectivity restoration solutions for 3D WASN, identifying existing gaps and suggesting potential future research directions. By providing specific insights and a structured overview of the field, we aim to contribute to the ongoing development of robust and resilient 3D WASN.

A Novel Modeling Approach to Quantify the Flood Resilience of Cities

In recent years, large-scale flood events have occurred more frequently, and the concept of resilience has become a prevalent approach to managing flood risk in many regions. This has led to an increased interest in how to effectively measure a city’s flood resilience levels. This study proposes a novel modeling approach to quantify urban flood resilience by developing D-number theory and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) models, which are applied to three cities in China using the VIse Kriterijumski Optimizacioni Racun (VIKOR) method. The findings reveal that Hefei City has the most effective level of flood resilience, Hangzhou City was ranked second, while Zhengzhou City has the least effective level of flood resilience. This study provides a new scientific basis on how to quantify flood resilience at the city scale and provides a useful reference for these three specific cities. The methods and approaches developed in this study have the potential to be applied to other cities and in the related aspects of disaster prevention, recovery, and reconstruction.

Discovering Trends in the Digitalization of Shipping: An Exploratory Study into Trends Using Natural Language Processing

This study investigates digitalization in the shipping industry by analyzing over 500 industry presentations from an eight-year span to discern key trends and nascent signals. Employing optical character recognition, advanced natural language processing techniques, and similarity metrics, the research enhances topic interpretability. Through Theil–Sen regressions and diffusion metrics, it identifies trends and emerging signals, noting a rise in interest in smart ports and supply chain management, signaling a shift toward more intelligent technology integration. However, attention to supply chain management shows a decline. The research tracks a shift from broad technology themes to specific areas like cybersecurity and blockchain, reflecting a narrative pivot to tackle particular digital challenges and opportunities. The study detects weak signals, including terms like “subsea” and “drone”, suggesting forthcoming industry innovations and shifts, notably toward ESG considerations. An additional machine learning analysis corroborates findings on key topics like energy efficiency and crew welfare, also spotlighting virtual disaster recovery and ERP projects as emerging areas of interest. This work aids in comprehending the fluid digitalization landscape in shipping, highlighting the sector’s ongoing evolution, and underscoring the need for further inquiry into autonomous shipping and related domains.

Youth theatre and the climate crisis in Australia: the role of ‘unmediatised liveness’ in performing recovery, resistance, and survival

ABSTRACT This paper presents the provocation that ‘unmediatised liveness', or experiences not filtered through digital technology, is vital to performances that promote recovery, resistance, and survival among young people in response to the climate crisis. Our provocation draws from interviews conducted with youth theatre and performance practitioners in Australia whose work addresses the climate crisis holistically across disaster preparedness, first response, disaster recovery, and climate activism. We argue that while mediatised interactions remain a critical element of contemporary youth culture and performance, unmediatised co-presence, artistic collaboration, community action, and activism are crucial in the high-stakes context of Australia’s climate crisis.

Promoting Older Adults’ Engagement in Disaster Recovery Through Supportive Relationships, Partnerships, and Collaboration: Perspectives of Social Work Practitioners and Human Service Professionals

Shifting demographics—that is, the growing number of older adults in Canada and internationally—and intersecting climatic risks create a complex landscape of aging in place in disaster contexts. Some older adults are vulnerable due to their underlying health conditions and limited physical mobility. Yet they also exhibit resilience in a distinct manner, owing to their wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and ability to navigate adversities. This article elucidates potential avenues for promoting the involvement of older adults in disaster recovery efforts. Our intention is to recognize and foster older adult resilience and mitigate vulnerability by drawing upon insights from the study titled “In the Aftermath of the 2016 Alberta Wildfires: The Role of Social Work Practitioners and Human Service Professionals in Long-Term Disaster Recovery.” Employing a qualitative research approach, that study recruited 51 participants for semistructured interviews and focus groups. A thematic analysis of the collected data unveiled the pivotal roles played by social workers and human service practitioners in facilitating recovery from the 2016 wildfires in the research. Notably, three overarching themes emerged concerning the promotion of older adults’ involvement in disaster recovery: fostering supportive relationships, building partnerships and enhancing collaboration, and addressing ongoing challenges. These findings offer valuable insights into how social work practitioners and human service professionals can effectively facilitate the engagement of older adults in disaster recovery initiatives. This article emphasizes the significance of actively promoting the participation of older adults in disaster mitigation efforts, thereby fostering greater resilience within communities.

Disaster evacuation challenges in high-density urban neighborhood Kampung Code, Yogyakarta

The article discusses the challenges of disaster evacuation in the high-density urban neighborhood of Kampung Code in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The rapid urbanization along riverbanks in the area has led to increased vulnerability to flooding and other environmental hazards. The study aims to identify the characteristics and challenges of circulation routes for supporting disaster evacuation in riverbank settlements like the Kampung Code. The research uses a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and observations, to gather data using a town-watching approach. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the specific characteristics of space in these areas to enhance community resilience and disaster recovery. The study occurred in Kampung Jogoyudan, one of the most populated areas along the Code River, and serves as a model for understanding and addressing evacuation challenges in other high-density urban environments.

How are health systems in sub-Saharan Africa adapting to protect human health from climate change threats? A scoping review and case study

BackgroundSub-Saharan Africa stands out as one of the regions most affected by the climate crisis, while it has contributed to the problem only marginally. The foreseen negative effect on health adds great stress to the already overburdened health systems. Health systems' adaptation to climate change is, therefore, urgently needed to better protect human health. There is, however, scant evidence on how adaption is being planned and implemented in Africa. The aim of this study was to review the literature on health system adaptation in sub-Saharan Africa. MethodsIn this scoping review and case study, we first carried out the scoping review, searching for publications on adaptation measures using the PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases on July 1, 2023. We included papers in English and French that addressed the adaptation of health systems in countries in sub-Saharan Africa without time limit. Second, we did a case study of the design and implementation of the National Adaptation Plan of Benin, with a specific focus on the policy-making process underlying the plan, whereby we used the health policy triangle as a policy analysis framework. Data were collected through a document review of national policy plans, reports, and evaluations. FindingsA total of 14 papers met the inclusion criteria, showing that climate change adaptation remains a niche in the literature for sub-Saharan Africa. Most included papers were authored by individuals from high-income countries. Health system adaptation measures cover seven domains: health systems strengthening; policy and planning; financing and implementation; information and capacity building; societal resilience; disaster risk prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery; and mitigation. The review found that the dominant role of global agencies in supporting or steering health system adaptation planning contributes to policy mimicry across countries, as confirmed by the case study of the adaptation plan in Benin. Benin's National Adaptation Plan prioritised three climate hazards: heat, drought, and flooding. Although the financial and technical inputs of international agencies effectively support Benin's adaptation planning, these inputs might induce a more narrow focus that does not fully respond to Benin's needs in terms of climate shocks and adaptation priorities. InterpretationHealth systems in sub-Saharan Africa are already adapting to climate change. Future research could focus on how national governments could develop adaptation plans that are responsive to local needs by making the needs analysis and priority-setting processes more inclusive of local stakeholders. FundingThe Belgian Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid.

Pets are family, keep them safe: a review of emergency animal management in remote First Nations communities

Planning for and considering animals is a growing area within emergency and disaster planning. As people adapt to the changing risks of disaster events that are increasing in magnitude and frequency, communities, particularly those in regional and remote areas of Australia, face challenges that are very different from other more populated areas. These communities are often home to pets, which pose unique challenges during evacuation, response and recovery phases of emergency management. Australian state and territory government emergency management plans give varied considerations to animal management. In the Northern Territory, the Territory Emergency Plan (Northern Territory Government 2022) serves as a base for animal management in disasters. However, significant reform is required to fill gaps in considerations of animals in remote communities, especially First Nations communities, given the strong socio-cultural connections within family structures and contributions to wellbeing under First Nations health worldviews and the human-animal bond. Such reform requires consultation and collaboration with First Nations Australians to promote ‘right-way’ science, build local capacity and support community resilience. Considerations of the interplay between people and their pets in disaster planning, response and recovery contributes to ongoing advances in the ‘One Health’ and ‘One Welfare’ paradigms.

City of prone natural disasters: Mitigating post-tsunami on the coastal of Banda Aceh, Indonesia

This research investigates the mitigation strategies employed in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Aimed at understanding how the city, prone to natural disasters, has enhanced its resilience and recovery capabilities, the study meticulously evaluates the implementation of various mitigation measures ranging from ecosystem-based coastal protections to advanced early warning systems, community education, and infrastructural resilience. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, including surveys with high Cronbach's Alpha values indicating strong reliability and consistency, the research delves into the effectiveness of these strategies. It also considers the roles of various stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, and international partners, in fostering a collaborative disaster recovery effort. The findings highlight the critical importance of community engagement and the integration of local knowledge into disaster management practices. Furthermore, the study underscores the necessity of continuous improvement in disaster management strategies to cope with the evolving nature of natural threats. By comprehensively analyzing Banda Aceh's post-tsunami mitigation efforts, this research offers valuable insights for other regions globally vulnerable to natural disasters, emphasizing the importance of preparedness, community resilience, and sustainable recovery strategies.

Kajian Keamanan Sistem Informasi Akademik Menggunakan Framework COBIT 5

This study examines the security of academic information systems using the COBIT 5 Framework. Key issues are uncertainty in protecting student and staff data, the potential for cyberattack vulnerabilities, and non-compliance with international security standards. The goal is to evaluate the security level of the system and suggest improvement recommendations according to COBIT 5 principles. Research methods include Renstar IT policy analysis, system audits, and interviews with IT personnel and related academic communities. Data is analyzed quantitatively to identify weaknesses and opportunities for improvement. The COBIT 5 framework is used as a security assessment framework. The results highlight the need for improvement, including access management, activity monitoring, and continuous improvement plans. Using COBIT 5, substantial measures such as strengthening access controls and developing disaster recovery plans can be identified. The research emphasizes the importance of a structured approach in improving the security of academic information systems, with COBIT 5 as a useful tool. With the right measures, system security can be enhanced to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of critical data for educational institutions. In conclusion, these measures demonstrate how important COBIT 5 implementation is in addressing information security challenges in academic environments.

Disaster management and mitigation strategies in Zambia: A systematic review

Overview: This paper provides an overview of disaster management and mitigation strategies in Zambia. Drawing upon a range of academic literature, government reports, and field studies, it examines the various natural and human-induced disasters that Zambia faces, including floods, droughts, disease outbreaks, and industrial accidents. The paper analyzes the country's disaster management framework, highlights key institutions, policies and stakeholders involved in disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts. Contribution to the Body of Knowledge: Basing on community-based approaches to disaster risk reduction and resilience building, the paper emphasizes the importance of local knowledge and participation in the mitigation of the impacts of disasters. It contributes to the ongoing discourse on enhancing resilience and reducing the impact of disasters on vulnerable populations and environments; and the development of more robust and sustainable disaster management and mitigation strategies that can better protect lives, livelihoods and ecosystems in the face of future disasters. Methods: The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative analysis of policy documents and literature reviews with quantitative assessments of food production, consumption patterns, and socioeconomic indicators. Data was collected from various sources, including government reports, academic publications, and international organizations. Data was obtained from respondents by means of interviews, questionnaires and project observation schedules. The sample consisted of two hundred and fifty respondents. Frequency, percentages, tables, graphs and pie-charts were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data obtained. Data was then analyzed manually in some cases and also, a combination of software MS Access and MS Excel. Results: Effective disaster management and mitigation require a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach that integrates preparedness, risk reduction, community engagement, innovation, and global cooperation. By prioritizing resilience-building measures and investing in proactive strategies, societies can mitigate the impact of disasters and foster sustainable development in the face of evolving challenges. Recommendation: governments, organizations, and communities should work together to build more resilient societies and minimize the devastating effects of disasters.

Investigating information security risk management in Yemeni banks: An CILOS-TOPSIS approach

In today's digital age, the banking sector faces increasing challenges in ensuring operational resilience, protecting customer assets, and maintaining a competitive edge. Prioritizing information security risk management (ISRM) practices is crucial to effectively address these challenges. This paper aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method in evaluating and improving ISRM practices in Yemeni banks. The study employs an integrated CILOS-TOPSIS model, considering two criteria and five sub-criteria, with criteria weights determined using the CILOS method. The results highlight the significance of specific criteria in ISRM, with the existence of a comprehensive business continuity and disaster recovery plan (C2.1) standing out as a top priority (weight: 0.266). Additionally, the frequency of data backups and the presence of an active backup policy (C2.2) and the adequacy of physical security measures (C1.1) are identified as crucial factors (weights: 0.228 and 0.203, respectively). Furthermore, the TOPSIS method is employed to rank 13 banks based on these criteria, revealing the top-performing banks as B10, B4, B13, B1, and B12. Conversely, the 7th, 5th, and 6th ranked banks require attention for improvement. The paper provides comprehensive details on criteria weighting, bank ranking, and recommendations for enhancements. The findings presented in this paper offer valuable insights to decision-makers in the banking sector, enabling them to effectively guide their efforts and allocate resources to areas, controls, and banks that require greater attention.

Explaining the longitudinal dynamics of international collaboration in disaster recovery: Friends, partners, or foes?

AbstractDespite a concerted scholarly focus on collaborative management, there is scant research on the evolution of collaboration in international assistance networks. Questions remain on what explains the evolution of collaborative relationships in international assistance collaborative networks, and on the importance of trust, faith‐based status, and geographical homophily in predicting the development of international assistance collaborative networks over time. Similarly, how do organizations from different sectors collaborate over time in international assistance collaborative networks? To address these questions, we analyze the nature and evolution of collaboration between international and local non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), faith‐based organizations (FBOs), and other organizations providing disaster recovery assistance before and after the 2010 Haiti earthquake in three time periods: before 2010, 2010–2012, and 2012–2015. Employing descriptive and inferential network methods, we find that knowledge‐based trust, geographical homophily, and the faith‐based status of organizations predict the development of collaborative relations in different periods of time.

Secure aware disaster recovery in cloud using an adaptive coati optimization algorithm

Secure aware disaster recovery in cloud using an adaptive coati optimization algorithm

Remote sensing‐based mapping of structural building damage in the Ahr valley

AbstractFlood damage data are needed for various applications. Structural damage of buildings can reflect not only the economic damage but also the life‐threatening condition of a building, which provide crucial information for disaster response and recovery. Since traditional on‐site data collection shortly after a disaster is challenging, remote sensing data can be of great help, cover a wider area and be deployed earlier in time than on‐site surveys. However, this has its challenges and limitations. We elucidate on that by presenting two case studies from flash floods in Germany. First, we assessed the reliability of an existing flood damage schema, which differentiates from minor (structural) damage to complete building collapse. We compared two on‐site raters of the 2016 Braunsbach flood, reaching an excellent level of reliability. Second, we mapped structural building damage after the flood in the Ahr valley in 2021 using a textured 3D mesh and orthophotos. Here, we evaluated the remote sense‐based damage mapping done by three raters. Although the heterogeneity of ratings using remote sensing data is larger than among on‐site ratings, we consider it fit‐for‐purpose when compared with on‐site mapping, especially for event documentation and as basis for financial damage estimation and less complex numerical modelling.

Faith-based organisations and disaster management in informal urban Accra

ABSTRACT Disaster risks in African cities are compounding due to the triple convergence of climate change impacts, unplanned urbanisation, and entrenched socio-spatial inequities. Disaster events are, therefore, common with disproportionate impacts on informal residents yet resting within reactive and extremely limited disaster management regime that leaves behind many voids in disaster risk reduction. Drawing on a qualitative approach and situated in a disaster-vulnerable community of Dome, Greater Accra, this paper unpacks the activities of Faith-based Organisations (FBOs) in filling the voids in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. This research is timely because elevating and integrating FBOs activities in disaster management could concretise multi-actor frameworks for disaster risk reduction that are culturally sensitive, locally situated, and socially engaged. The paper documents that experimenting with formal-informal collaborations in community-based risk reduction and leveraging the practices and experiences of FBOs in disaster risk reduction holds the potential for building disaster prevention and resilient capacities in informal urban riskscapes. The study recommends that active collaboration between FBOs and government organisations can assist in bridging crisis management gaps and improving community disaster resilience.

The promises and pitfalls of disaster aid platforms: a case study of Lebanon’s 3RF

PurposeUsing critical disaster studies and state theory, we assess the disaster aid platform named Lebanon Reconstruction, Reform and Recovery Framework (3RF) that was put in place by international donors in the aftermath of the Beirut Port Blast in August 2020, in order to examine the effectiveness of its inclusive decision-making architecture, as well as its institutional building and legislative reform efforts.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses the case study approaach and relies on two original data sets compiled by authors, using desk reviews of academic literature and secondary data, in addition to 24 semi-structured expert interviews and participant observation for two years.FindingsThe aid platform appears innovative, participatory and effectively functioning toward recovery and reform. However, in practice, the government dismisses CSOs, undermines reforms and dodges state building, whereas the 3RF is structured in incoherent ways and operates according to conflicting logics, generating inertia and pitfalls that hinder effective participatory governance, prevent institutional building, and delay the making of projects.Research limitations/implicationsThe research contributes to critical scholarship as it addresses an important research gap concerning disaster aid platforms’ institutional design and governance that are under-studied in critical disaster studies and political studies. It also highlights the need for critical disaster studies to engage with state theory and vice-versa.Practical implicationsThe research contributes to evaluations of disaster recovery processes and outcomes. It highlights the limits of disaster aid platforms’ claims for participatory decision-making, institutional-building and reforms.Originality/valueThe paper amplifies critical disaster studies, through the reflexive analysis of a case-study of an aid platform.