Small communities leading the way on resilience

Policymakers have a lot to learn from communities in small villages who are prone to natural disasters says PhD student Liberty Pascua.

Liberty presented her findings and research at the Research Advisory Forum in April, where she spoke about the links between disaster risk reduction education in Australia, the Philippines and Vanuatu.

“Nobody knows a place and its experiences better than those who have lived in the land,” says Liberty.

The Forum was held in Sydney at the NSW Rural Fire Service where four PhD students had the opportunity to present their research as part of a three-minute thesis.

Liberty’s research from the Precarious places, precarious knowledges: A comparative analysis of disaster risk reduction education in Australia, the Philippines, and Vanuatu project focuses on disaster resilience and disaster risk education.

Vanuatu has the highest disaster risk in the world, according to the World Risk Index developed by the UN’s International Research on Disaster Risk.  Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a highly seismic region, Vanuatu is exposed to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and cyclones.

Liberty says her field work has shown her how much knowledge there is in homes, villages and individuals.

The PhD researcher praised the disaster resilience of small communities in Vanuatu.

“There is less dependence on external help in these small communities because of developed coping strategies.”

Liberty says the customary practices and agricultural techniques are helping the confidence of small communities to better deal with natural hazards.

The links between these customary practices and mitigating against natural hazards can have a positive impact on policy adaptation and implementation.

PhD students attended a student workshop in the lead up to the RAF where they were presented with skills in how to engage with their audience.

120 end-users, partners and researchers attended the Forum which ran across two days where there were opportunities for deep discussion and networking events.

The next RAF is scheduled to take place in October.