Community recovery following natural disasters in India and Australia: a social work perspective

Abstract

This presentation is based on field experience. Disasters of all kinds (natural or catastrophes of all kinds) do affect the lives of individuals, families and communities. Drawing on the field experiences both from India and Australia, the author attempts to illustrate the various phases and social process that the communities go through to re-establish a sense of community aftermath of a disaster. The author also discusses the "magnetic power" of the individuals and communities to cut across all the barriers to unite together to rebuild the communities and to re-establish a pattern of communication and interaction. How does this happen? But how is this possible? What makes a community a resilient community? It seems magic. This is discussed with examples from Bhopal Gas tragedy (India,1984)Gujarat earthquake ( India,2001), Bihar Floods (India 2008), Fire, Frost, Floods, and Drought (South Australia, 2006 ), Cyclone Yasi (Queensland Australia, 2011). The author also reviews the work by UDAI, (University for Development action and Integrated Learning), Delhi University India, in response to disasters in India and discusses its relevance for social work education and practice.