The role of social capital in post - flood recovery in Ba District, Western Viti Levu, Fiji Islands

Yila, Othniel M. and Weber, Eberhard (2013) The role of social capital in post - flood recovery in Ba District, Western Viti Levu, Fiji Islands. The Journal of Pacific Studies, 33 . pp. 116-137. ISSN 1011-3029

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Abstract

Floods are among the most significant and frequent hazards that affect communities in the Western Division of Fiji, often leaving in their wake displacements and death, and putting thousands at risk of sliding into poverty. Using the 2009 and 2012 floods, we examine how social capital aids in post-disaster recovery among residents in five selected villages in the Ba District of western Viti Levu. It is conventionally believed that moving supplies, aid and expertise into flood-affected areas offers the best path to effective recovery. To test this assumption, data were collected with a questionnaire survey administered to 97 households. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a further 20 respondents. Our results indicate that residents of the Ba District are using four approaches to create and deploy social capital among them to facilitate recovery. Our findings may be used to generate policies concerning the integration of social capital as a component of flood disaster recovery mechanisms.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Geography, Earth Science and Environment
Depositing User:	Eberhard Weber
Date Deposited:	17 Dec 2013 03:07
Last Modified:	06 Jul 2016 03:08
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/7069

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