The concept of "disaster culture"

Moore (for literature reference see original source document) has coined the concept of “disaster culture”, whereby repeated disasters result in a society developing new behaviours in relation to preventing, responding to and recovering from a disaster. Disaster culture consists of “those adjustments, actual and potential, social, psychological and physical which are used by residents of such areas in their efforts to cope with disasters which have struck or which tradition indicates may strike in the future”. In contrast to artificial cultures, disaster culture is naturally occurring as a response, an adaptation through necessity, rather than deliberately imposed or created. These naturally occurring adaptations are often then incorporated into all phases of the disaster cycle.

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Individual/collective memory, Local knowledge

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

Disaster Phases: Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery, All disaster phases

Types of Actors Concerned: Non-active citizens

Recommendations:

• Develop a personal “culture of preparedness”