While natural disasters may be indiscriminate in their targets the subsequent damage is not divided equally across the different segments of society. Through studying trends of aid distribution we...Show moreWhile natural disasters may be indiscriminate in their targets the subsequent damage is not divided equally across the different segments of society. Through studying trends of aid distribution we find that the ability to mitigate and recover from the harms of a natural disaster is distributed according to existing socio-economic structures favouring the privileged. By applying relative deprivation theory this study explores how horizontal inequalities of aid increase economic inequalities. Subsequently, economic inequalities can be employed to mobilise organised violence, given there is a financial opportunity presented by international development aid. A sub-national empirical analysis is conducted that includes 171 first order administrative divisions across five South East Asian countries. Using data covering the World Bank’s aid distribution from 1995- 2009 an indicator is calculated that measures the level of inequality. The binary logistic regression finds that the more unequal the aid distribution, the less likely organised violence is to occur.Show less
Natural disasters pose a unique threat to authoritarian regimes because they can bring existing failures within the structure of governance into sharp relief, thus legitimising the grievances of...Show moreNatural disasters pose a unique threat to authoritarian regimes because they can bring existing failures within the structure of governance into sharp relief, thus legitimising the grievances of rebel groups and increasing the risk of civil conflict. Most regimes therefore attempt to ensure humanitarian aid is secured and distributed, to mitigate such damages. Why then, do some regimes obstruct or deny humanitarian aid if doing so may incur costs to the regime? This thesis solves this puzzle by investigating the cases of the Bhola Cyclone in East Pakistan in 1970 and Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar in 2008 and assessing whether each of four key factors were observable in either case. The four factors are: ethnic and ideological differences; a fear of foreign intervention; elite rivalry; and the exit strategy of the military dictator. This analysis leads to several interesting conclusions. First, ethnic or ideological differences are not enough motivation for a regime to incur the costs of obstructing aid. Second, regimes will deny or obstruct foreign aid if they believe doing so will lead to a decreased risk of civil conflict. Third, elite rivalry may manipulate the regime’s leadership into acting against its own best interests. Finally, authoritarian leaders will prioritise their own exit strategy over the need to prevent untold numbers of civilian deaths.Show less
On 2 May 2008, the South of Myanmar was struck by Cyclone Nargis, which crushed the area, killed around 140,000 people and displaced millions. To look into the political significance of this...Show moreOn 2 May 2008, the South of Myanmar was struck by Cyclone Nargis, which crushed the area, killed around 140,000 people and displaced millions. To look into the political significance of this disastrous event, this research tests the framework of Mark Pelling and Kathleen Dill, which analyses the impact of natural disasters on political systems. Is their theory applicable to the case of Cyclone Nargis and Myanmar? Especially the role of LNGOs and CSOs in this event is emphasized. This thesis draws conclusions on using theory to understand the effects of a natural disaster on a political system. Events like this always have to be studied with regards to the concerning context and it is complex to use a generalist framework as Pelling and Dill propose.Show less
In the aftermath of a disaster, women’s suffering is often compounded in the face of increased vulnerabilities to physical and mental illness, unsafe temporary living conditions, and the many...Show moreIn the aftermath of a disaster, women’s suffering is often compounded in the face of increased vulnerabilities to physical and mental illness, unsafe temporary living conditions, and the many instances in which women’s opinions, requests, and capabilities are ignored. This thesis discusses gender inequality within post-disaster management in Japan, with a focus on the 2011 Triple Disaster which consisted of an earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown within the Tohoku region. The framework of gender within public health and post-disaster management is used to examine women’s experiences in the response and recovery phases of the Triple Disaster as seen through film and academic literature. This paper argues that the role of women in the aftermath of the disaster reflected and reinforced gender inequality in Japanese society. The inadequate living conditions for women in emergency shelters, the silencing of women’s voices after the Fukushima nuclear meltdown, and the distinct lack of female participation in disaster management all give credence to the notion that the gender dimension of disasters was and continues to be significantly overlooked. It is evident that the gender issues present in the aftermath of the 2011 disaster are part of larger societal structures not only in Japan but also in the wider field of public health.Show less
