Experiences of people who have lived in the Gaza region for a longer time influence perceptions of risk which are relatively higher amongst this category than among those recently settled in the area

Interestingly, this study (see source document for full reference) also revealed that people who lived in the Gaza region for a longer time showed a higher level of perceived risk compared to recently settled people (Billing, 2006). A possible explanation, given by the author, is that it might be that those who lived in Gaza for a longer time, had experienced more calm periods of life, while the new settlers have been exposed to the risk right from the start. Therefore, perceiving the region as less risky might have helped new settlers to adapt better to the new area of living (Billing, 2006). However, another explanation also seems plausible. Bearing in mind other results of the same study, we could hypothesize that people who lived longer in Gaza experienced a larger number of terrorist attacks and personal losses and that, in their case, reality "damaged“ the social construction of safety mediated through God's protection. However, additional statistical analyses are required to test this hypothesis.

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Individual/collective memory, Local knowledge

Hazards: Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Prevention, Preparedness

Types of Actors Concerned: Non-active citizens

Recommendations:

• Develop risk assessments methodologies, which consider cultural factors, the manner in which people cognitively process information and which employ a gender perspective