Bibliographic details:

Takacs, J., Ramsbottom, A. C., O’brien, E., & Ciotti, L. (2017). Enablers and barriers to community engagement in public health emergency preparednessJudit Takacs. European Journal of Public Health, 27(suppl_3).‏

Abstract:

Background - Public health emergency preparedness (PHEP) all too often focuses on institutional capabilities alone, while overlooking community capabilities. However, success of institutional emergency preparedness plans depend upon communities and institutions working together to ensure successful anticipation, response and recovery. Broader community engagement is therefore recommended worldwide.

Methods – This literature review aimed to identify enablers and barriers to community and institutional synergies in emergency preparedness. Searches were undertaken across bibliographic databases and grey literature sources, published between 2000 and 2016. A ‘best fit’ framework approach using a pre-existing qualitative framework was used to analyze the literature, whereby themes were added and changed as analysis progressed.

Results - In total, 35 documents describing factors influencing community and institution synergies in PHEP were included. A working definition of community was identified, based on a ‘whole community’ approach, inclusive of the whole multitude of stakeholders including community residents and emergency management staff.

Conclusions - Given the diversity in community make-up, the types of emergencies that could be faced, the socio-economic, environmental and political range of communities, the most effective way of engaging communities in emergency preparedness is context-dependent. Engaging vulnerable groups within the community was a theme that repeatedly emerged in the literature. Finding appropriate ways to reach out and engage the range of community groups is an important consideration when developing preparedness initiatives..

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Toner, E. S., Ravi, S., Adalja, A., Waldhorn, R. E., McGinty, M., & Schoch-Spana, M. (2015). Doing good by playing well with others: exploring local collaboration for emergency preparedness and response. Health security, 13(4), 281-289.‏

Abstract:

Increasingly frequent and costly disasters in the US have prompted the need for greater collaboration at the local level among healthcare facilities, public health agencies, emergency medical services, and emergency management agencies. We conducted a multiphase, mixed-method, qualitative study to uncover the extent and quality of existing collaborations, identify what factors impede or facilitate the integration of the preparedness community, and propose measures to strengthen collaboration. Our study involved a comprehensive literature review, 55 semi structured key-informant interviews, and a working group meeting. Using thematic analysis, we identified 6 key findings that will inform the development of tools to help coalitions better assess and improve their own preparedness community integration.

Increasingly frequent and costly disasters in the US have prompted the need for greater collaboration at the local level among healthcare facilities, public health agencies, emergency medical services, and emergency management agencies. The authors conducted a multiphase, mixed-method, qualitative study to uncover the extent and quality of existing collaborations, identify what factors impede or facilitate the integration of the preparedness community, and propose measures to strengthen collaboration. The study involved a comprehensive literature review, 55 semi structured key-informant interviews, and a working group meeting.

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World Health Organization (2017). International Health Emergency Response plan on Marburg virus disease

Abstract:

On 17 October 2017, the Ugandan Ministry of Health notified WHO of a confirmed Marburg outbreak of Marburg Virus disease (MVD) in Kween district, Eastern Uganda. The outbreak was officially declared by the Ministry of health on 19 October 2017.

As of 7 November, four cases of MVD have been reported- two confirmed (dead), one probable (dead) and one suspected. Other patients, previously reported as suspected cases, have since tested negative for the virus.

WHO has been implementing the Emergency Response Plan since 20 October 2017 when the Ministry of Health officially declared the outbreak. The Emergency Response Plan was developed on several assumptions which may now need to be revised.

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Gal, R. (2014). Social resilience in times of protracted crises: An Israeli case study. Armed Forces & Society, 40(3), 452-475.‏

 Abstract:

This article starts with a broad discussion related to theoretical and conceptual aspects comprising the concept Social Resilience at the national level, as well as its multiple definitions, dimensions and measurements. This is followed by a unique case study – a longitudinal study conducted in Israel, during the critical period (with over 1000 terrorism-related deaths) of the Second/ Al-Aqsa Intifada (2000-2004), showing some unexpected findings related to community resilience, at the national, mass-behavioral level. These findings comprise both public behavioral indices as well as attitudinal measures. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time such measures are used to assess social resilience. A critical discussion follows, in which the author presents several theoretical and practical challenges to students of the Social Resilience paradigm.

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O’Brien, K., & Sygna, L. (2013). Responding to climate change: the three spheres of transformation. Proceedings of Transformation in a Changing Climate, 19-21

Abstract:

In  this  paper,  we  discuss  four  approaches  to  transformation  that  are  currently  visible  in  the  climate change literature. We then synthesize these approaches by presenting a simple framework that focuses on three interacting “spheres” of transformation.  The  three  spheres,  referred  to  as  the  practical, political,  and  personal  spheres,  can  be  used  as  a  tool  for  understanding  how,  why  and  where transformations toward sustainability may take place. We consider where the four approaches fit into this  framework,  paying  particular  attention  to  how  the  relationships  among  the  spheres  together influence outcomes for sustainability.

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Parsons, M., & Nalau, J. (2016). Historical analogies as tools in understanding transformation. Global Environmental Change, 38, 82-96

Abstract:

Historical analogies of environmental change and stress are a well-established method of examining vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. In our view historical analogies of social transformations can similarly illuminate what factors are conducive to transformation. In this paper we draw on the historical example of the environmental transformation of Aotearoa New Zealand from predominately woodlands into farmlands; a transformation which was inextricably linked with the social transformation of indigenous Māori society following European colonization. The Aotearoa New Zealand case study illustrates how both incidental and purposeful transformations can be instigated by small groups of committed individuals working in formal or informal networks, but can also be imposed by outside experts who instituted widespread changes under notions of progress and improvement without local support or consent. Such transformations involved widespread changes to Indigenous governance regimes, agricultural systems, production and consumption patterns, lifestyles, values and worldviews, and inevitably involved both beneficial and negative outcomes for local peoples. We argue that thinking historically about transformational change provides an opportunity to assess the processes that shape both vulnerability and resilience, and the circumstances under which transformational change occurs, as well as the potential dangers of irreversible changes.

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Tubi, A., & Feitelson, E. (2018). Changing drought vulnerabilities of marginalized resource-dependent groups: a long-term perspective of Israel’s Negev Bedouin. Regional Environmental Change, 1-11

Abstract:

Marginalized resource-dependent groups (MRDGs) are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and weather extremes. However, research on MRDGs tends to analyze their vulnerability in a specific point in time, thereby neglecting the examination of changes that evolve over time spans that are similar to those on which climatic changes occur. This study adopts a long-term perspective, examining changes in the vulnerability of the marginalized and traditionally agro-pastoralist Bedouin residing in the semi-arid and drought-prone northern Negev region. Utilizing multiple data sources, the study compares the vulnerability of the Bedouin during two severe droughts separated by a 40-year period—the 1957–63 drought and the 1998–2000 drought. The changes in the impacts of the droughts on the Bedouin are identified and analyzed, as well as the main factors explaining these changes. The results indicate that the vulnerability of the Bedouin to droughts has declined considerably, largely due to integration in Israel’s market economy and improved access to water infrastructure. Large-scale economic transformations and changes in settlement and water supply patterns explain much of the reduction in vulnerability. However, the Bedouin have remained marginalized and are vulnerable to fluctuations in market conditions. Thus, while we find that the vulnerability of even the most vulnerable groups can decline over time, we also observe that their vulnerability may change its form from “climate vulnerability” to more general social vulnerability.

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Utsu, T., & Ogata, Y. (1995). The centenary of the Omori formula for a decay law of aftershock activity. Journal of Physics of the Earth, 43(1), 1-33.‏

Abstract:

The Omori formula n(t)=K(t+c)-1 and its modified form n(t)=K(t+c)-P have been successfully applied to many aftershock sequences since the former was proposed just 100 years ago. This paper summarizes studies using these formulae. The problems of fitting these formulae and related point process models to observational data are discussed mainly. Studies published during the last 1/3 century confirmed that the modified Omori formula generally provides an appropriate representation of the temporal variation of aftershock activity. Although no systematic dependence of the index p has been found on the magnitude of the main shock and on the lowest limit of magnitude above which aftershocks are counted, this index (usually p = 0.9-1.5) differs from sequence to. sequence. This variability may be related to the tectonic condition of the region such as structural heterogeneity, stress, and temperature, but it is not clear which factor is most significant in controlling the p value. The constant c is a controversial quantity. It is strongly influenced by incomplete detection of small aftershocks in the early stage of sequence. Careful analyses indicate that c is positive at least for some sequences. Point process models for the temporal pattern of shallow seismicity must include the existence of aftershocks, most suitably expressed by the modified Omori law. Among such models, the ETAS model seems to best represent the main features of seismicity with only five parameters. An anomalous decrease in aftershock activity below the level predicted by the modified Omori formula sometimes precedes a large aftershock. An anomalous decrease in seismic activity of a region below the level predicted by the ETAS model is sometimes followed by a large earthquake in the same or in a neighboring region.

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ענבר, משה. פורת, יורם (עורכים) (2007). אסונות טבע בישראל. כרך א' וב'. החוג לגיאוגרפיה ולימודי סביבה. אוניברסיטת חיפה.

בעשור הראשון של המאה הנוכחית נרשמו אסונות טבע אשר גרמו למאות אלפי קרבנות אם זה הצונמי שפקד את דרום מזרח אסיה, או סופות טייפון, טורנאדו והוריקן שפקדו חבלי ארץ שונים ברחבי העולם כדוגמת הוריקן קתרינה בדרום ארה"ב אשר הסבו נזקים של עשרות מיליארדי דולרים. גידול אוכלוסיית כדור הארץ והתשתיות שהאדם בונה, יחריפו את הפגיעה בנפש והנזקים לרכוש. 
גם בישראל יש עלייה בעלות הנזקים, ולכן יש צורך לנקוט באמצעים כדי להפחית ככל האפשר את מספר הנפגעים והנזקים הכלכליים של האסונות. רפואה מונעת במקרה זה הוא אמצעי חיוני, ומטרת חוברת זו היא להרחיב ולהפיץ ידע, כחלק ממערכת כוללת להגברת החוסן בפני אסונות צפויים. החוברת מאגדת תקצירי עבודות סמינריוניות נבחרות של סטודנטים מהמסלול הנ"ל, התורמים מידע מקורי ועבודות שדה בעלות ערך מדעי לאירועים שנסקרו. במקרה זה לא נערך שיפוט אקדמי חיצוני כמקובל, אך מובאים המקורות השונים ששימשו לכתיבת המאמרים. 
בחוברת נכללים אסונות הטבע שפקדו את ישראל: רעידות אדמה, שיטפונות, גלישות, בצורת ושריפות יער. רעידת האדמה בטורקיה ב-1999 נכללה גם היא מכיוון שגרמה להתעוררות לגבי סכנת הרעידות בארץ וגם מאחר שצוות גדול של צה"ל השתתף בפעולות סיוע והצלה. כנספח לחוברת צורף מילון מונחים לניהול מצבי חרום ואפר"ן (אירוע פתע רב נפגעים) שאושר על ידי האקדמיה העברית ללשון בשנת 2007.

מאמר 

דף אינטרנט

לינק

Bibliographic details:

Magnan, A. K., Schipper, E. L. F., Burkett, M., Bharwani, S., Burton, I., Eriksen, S., Schaar, J. & Ziervogel, G. (2016). Addressing the risk of maladaptation to climate change. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 7(5), 646-665

Abstract:

This paper reviews the current theoretical scholarship on maladaptation and provides some specific case studies—in the Maldives, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Bangladesh—to advance the field by offering an improved conceptual understanding and more practice‐oriented insights. It notably highlights four main dimensions to assess the risk of maladaptation, that is, process, multiple drivers, temporal scales, and spatial scales. It also describes three examples of frameworks—the Pathways, the Precautionary, and the Assessment frameworks—that can help capture the risk of maladaptation on the ground. Both these conceptual and practical developments support the need for putting the risk of maladaptation at the top of the planning agenda. The paper argues that starting with the intention to avoid mistakes and not lock‐in detrimental effects of adaptation‐labeled initiatives is a first, key step to the wider process of adapting to climate variability and change. It thus advocates for the anticipation of the risk of maladaptation to become a priority for decision makers and stakeholders at large, from the international to the local levels. Such an ex ante approach, however, supposes to get a clearer understanding of what maladaptation is. Ultimately, the paper affirms that a challenge for future research consists in developing context‐specific guidelines that will allow funding bodies to make the best decisions to support adaptation (i.e., by better capturing the risk of maladaptation) and practitioners to design adaptation initiatives with a low risk of maladaptation.

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