Mitigation Mechanisms, Recovering Process, and the Use of Indigenous Knowledge After Cyclone Winston 2016, Fiji

Nakamura, Naohiro (2017) Mitigation Mechanisms, Recovering Process, and the Use of Indigenous Knowledge After Cyclone Winston 2016, Fiji. UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Cyclone Winston in February 2016 was the most devastating tropical cyclone that attacked the Fiji Islands. At least 43 people were killed and approximately 350,000 people were affected. In particular, communities located on remote islands were severely damaged. Initially, grasping the degree of damage by the cyclone on remote communities was nearly impossible due to the destruction of communication methods. Aid from the governments also did not instantly reach the communities. Interestingly, it was reported that a few villages and remote communities have demonstrated better mitigation mechanisms and faster recovery from the impact of Cyclone Winston, without substantial aid from the government or the international community. In Bukama village on the Yasawa Island, for example, the community has effectively mobilised its social capital and indigenous knowledge to recover from the impact of the disaster. Based on research conducted in four communities in Fiji, our research aims to identify what kind of mitigation mechanisms have functioned in the communities, how people have acted for recovery, and how indigenous knowledge has contributed to the process. Our research also aims to document and highlight key indigenous knowledge to mitigate the impact of natural disasters in the context of Pacific Island countries.

Item Type:	Other
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Geography, Earth Science and Environment
Depositing User:	Naohiro Nakamura
Date Deposited:	26 Feb 2019 02:42
Last Modified:	26 Feb 2019 02:42
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/11136

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