The Economics of Natural Disasters - A Survey

Catastrophes caused by natural disasters are by no means new, yet our evolving understanding regarding their relevance to economic development and growth is still at its infancy. In order to facilitate further necessary research on this topic, we summarize the state of the economic literature that examines the aggregate impact of disasters. We review the main disaster data sources available, discuss the determinants of the direct effects of disasters, and distinguish between the short- and long-run indirect effects. After reviewing these literatures, we examine some of the relevant policy questions, and follow up with projections about the future likelihood of disasters, while paying particular attention to the projected climate change. We end by identifying several significant gaps in this literature.natural disasters, climate change, growth

The Economics of Natural Disasters: A Survey

Catastrophes caused by natural disasters are by no means new, yet the evolving understanding of their relevance to economic development and growth is still in its infancy. In order to facilitate further necessary research on this topic, this paper summarizes the state of the economic literature examining the aggregate impact of disasters. The paper reviews the main disaster data sources available, discusses the determinants of the direct effects of disasters, and distinguishes between short- and long-run indirect effects. The paper then examines some of the relevant policy questions and follows up with projections about the likelihood of future disasters, while paying particular attention to climate change. The paper ends by identifying several significant gaps in the literature.Natural disasters, Climate change, Growth

The Aftermath of Natural Disasters: Beyond Destruction

Naturkatastrophe; Makroökonomischer Einfluss; Soziale Kosten; Wirtschaftliche Anpassung; Welt

An Investigation into the effectiveness of climate-related policies on disaster preparedness and response in Zimbabwe. The Case of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani District.

This study investigates the efficacy of climate-related policies on disaster preparedness and response in Zimbabwe, concentrating specifically on the Chimanimani District during Cyclone Idai. This study is philosophically based on constructivist ontology, interpretive epistemology, and a qualitative methodology. The research focused on participants who have substantial or direct knowledge of the area under study. Using purposive and snowball sampling techniques, the study gathered a sample of 35 participants. Semi-structured interviews served as the main instrument for data collection. The research employed thematic analysis to interpret the data, which involved identifying patterns and themes. To validate the findings, the study used methodological triangulation, literature review, and theoretical frameworks, which broadened the understanding of the subject and offered a more thorough analysis of the research question/s. The theoretical framework was based on five approaches, including the Capability Approach and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The results revealed that Zimbabwe's policy framework, particularly the Civil Protect Act, concerning disaster preparedness and response, is centralized, vague, and covers a wide scope. Consequently, it fails to prioritize preparedness and response strategies adequately. The study also discovered that the policy framework relating to disaster preparedness in Zimbabwe does not adequately address the issue, focusing instead on disaster response, albeit insufficiently, and lacks clear provisions to support a robust response strategy. Nonetheless, the study found that the current policy framework, while not entirely sufficient to be deemed effective, does offer a rudimentary guide to disaster preparedness and response, and lays a foundation for the development of a more inclusive and robust policy framework in Zimbabwe. For short-term improvement, the study suggests amending the Civil Protection Act to include provisions that ensure policy framework effectiveness in disaster management and disaster risk reduction. In the longer term, the study recommends a careful review of the Climate Change Bill before its passage to avoid carrying forward the vulnerabilities found in the Civil Protection Act

Integrated framework for early warning system in UAE

Purpose - The impacts and costs of natural disasters on people, properties and environment is often severe when they occur on a large scale and with no warning system in place. The lack of deployment of early warning system, low risk and hazard knowledge and impact of natural hazard experienced in some communities in the UAE h ave emphasised the need for more effective early warning systems. This work focuses on developing an integrated framework for early warning systems for communities prone to the impact of natural hazards, in order to reduce their vulnerability and improve emergency ma nagement arrangements in the UAE. Approach - The essential elements of effective Early Warning System (EWS) were identified through literature review to develop an integrated framework for EWS. Semi- structured interviews and questionnaires were also used to identify and confirm hindering factors to deployment of effective early warning systems in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah Emirates, while areas that require further development were also identified through this means. Findings and value - The outcome of this research revealed that the warning for natural hazards in the UAE lacked the required elements for effective early warning system, while the elements which are present are insufficient to mitigate the impacts of natural hazards. The information in this work emphasises the need to improve two elements, and to develop the other two essential elements of early warning system in the UAE

COVID-19 and lessons from multi-hazard early warning systems

Having a common framework for early action to cope with complex disasters can make it easier for authorities and other stakeholders, including populations at risk, to understand the full spectrum of secondary and tertiary effects and thus where to focus preparedness efforts, and how best to provide more targeted warnings and response services. Meteorological and hydrological services world-wide have developed and implemented Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) for weather and climate related hazards that are now being expanded and transitioned towards Multi-Hazard Impact-based Early Warning Systems (MHIEWS). While it is still early days it is becoming clear that there are useful lessons from this approach in the COVID-19 global pandemic, and some valuable insight to be gained in risk communication, risk analysis and monitoring methodologies and approaches. The ability to understand and respond effectively to warnings through appropriate behaviours and actions is central to resilient societies and communities. By avoiding physical, societal and economic harm to the greatest extent possible, recovery from a hazard is likely to be faster, less costly and more complete. MHIEWS can be a common approach for all hazards and therefore more likely to become a trusted tool that everyone can understand and use as a basic element of their national disaster risk management system. The interconnectedness of hazards and their impacts is a strong motivator for a common approach. One of the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather events is the need to understand the vulnerability of individuals, communities and societies so as to provide reliable, targeted guidance and warnings and the willingness and capacity to prepare for a reasonable worst-case scenario based on informed long-term planning. Meteorology and hydrology are making good progress in this direction and the process can be readily applied to health and other sectors