Nat Hazards (2007) 41:269–270 DOI 10.1007/s11069-006-9034-9 PREFACE

Preface C. Emdad Haque Æ David Etkin

Received: 26 June 2006 / Accepted: 26 June 2006 / Published online: 17 November 2006 Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2006

In the face of arising complexities between human population and nature, the characteristics of threats, risks, hazards and disasters are changing rapidly in today’s world. The depletion of natural resources, environmental degradation, increased development in hazardous areas, population growth, urbanization, marginalization and poverty, and disease are compounding nature-triggered hazards such as floods and droughts to cause chronic adversity. Some recent disasters, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the 8 October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, and Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 in the USA are testament to our increasing vulnerability to catastrophic events. Despite unprecedented socioeconomic and technological progress that would, hopefully, have given us a greater capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters, we are finding that our technological and cultural thresholds are inadequate. In fact, economic development and so-called progress achieved in these areas often seem to be one of the root causes of vulnerable conditions, particularly when benefits accrue within small elite groups. Conventional institutional measures to deal and cope with environmental threats and hazards are proving inadequate, particularly in terms of financial and human resources. The discourse has generated a strong urge among concerned institutions and community members to analyze and view the problems in new ways. It also instigates explorations into resilience building capacity and vulnerability reduction options. In order to achieve a greater degree of disaster resilience, knowledge institutions, practitioners, and first responders must develop and maintain working relationships to look for and provide more effective types of solutions. There is great need to shift focus from post-disaster relief and rehabilitation to resilience and mitigation. Since C. E. Haque (&) Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2 e-mail: [email protected] D. Etkin Emergency Management Program, Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3J 1P3

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conventional top–down interventions and command-and-control approaches to deal with large scale disasters and catastrophes lack many of the tools needed for comprehensive disaster management, a participatory mode of approach is being explored in the public safety and disaster mitigation discourse. Institutions must scale up community responses, by creating new partnerships between governments, private sectors and non-government organizations, and advocating changes in policy and practice. Institutions must build their strategies and responses on a community’s own priorities, knowledge and resources. Against the backdrop of rapid change in approaches to risk and hazards, in 2003 the Canadian Risk and Hazards Network (CRHNet) was formed. The goal of the Network is to help create an environment where concerned people can effectively share knowledge and innovative approaches, lessons and best practices to reduce disaster vulnerability and enhance resilience. It also aims at creating a venue to learn from the experiences of, and ideas coming from, varied communities at all levels and all countries. The 1st Annual Symposium of the CRHNet took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba during November 18–20, 2004 to address why and how partnerships can mitigate disaster vulnerability. This Special Issue of ‘‘Natural Hazards’’ has stemmed from the outputs of the Symposium. The papers included in this special issue encompass a wide range of areas including both conceptual and applied aspects of societal elements in hazards and disasters discourse. The Issue also incorporates a few empirical case studies to delineate the significance of societal dimensions in vulnerability reduction and disaster response. On behalf of the Canadian Risk and Hazards Network (CRHNet), we thank Dr. T.S. Murty, one of the editors of Natural Hazards journal and former President of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, for inviting us to compile and edit this special issue on ‘‘People, Community and Resilience: Societal Dimensions of Environmental Hazards’’. The dedication and help from Nancy Powell Quinn, Cameron Zywina and Glenn Bergen were instrumental in making this publication possible; we extend our special thanks to them. As well, the outcomes of the 1st Annual Symposium of CRHNet would not have been possible without the generous support of several partner institutions and organizations. I particularly extend my deep gratitude and thanks to the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (Ottawa), Earth Science Division of the Natural Resources Canada, and Environment Canada (Ottawa) for their kind support to our efforts. The authors of the papers have taken a special interest in the theme of this Special Issue, and attempted to instigate new research issues and questions. We appreciate their contributions. Finally, we hope that the Issue will generate further research and strengthen best practice in the areas of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and resilience at all levels—local, national and international.

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