Importance of local experience In dealing with disasters

Maltese participants particularly outlined the importance of specific local experience – “everyone is used to it [heatwaves]; it's as through you're saying a snow storm in Finland” – or lack thereof: “If we had the rain that England has, Malta would drown”. One participant explained how, in their opinion, knowledge and experience do not eliminate but considerably reduce insecurity.

Cultural Factors: Local knowledge

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations

Disaster Phases: Response, Preparedness

Recommendations:

• Develop guidelines for disaster practitioners that take into consideration the different needs of and approaches to different ethnical groups
• Use local knowledge, collective memory and shared cultural values to improve disaster preparedness, response and recovery