For our Blog Competition 2013, we asked people to submit articles addressing one of two topics. Omeye’s article discusses a recent flooding event that resulted in disaster in Nigeria, and his entry was highly commended by our judging panel. Omeye is a second year geology student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. When he graduates, …[Read More]
Disaster Management
Dealing with Disasters / 4th Conference of the International Society for Integrated Disaster Risk Management
This week (4-6th September 2013) a major conference is talking place at Northumbria University in Newcastle, with a focus on disaster risk reduction and disaster management. The conference, Dealing with Disasters Conference / 4th Conference of the International Society for Integrated Disaster Risk Management, will explore the theme ‘From Opportunity to Action: Bridging the Gap between …[Read More]
Some Comments on Recent Earthquakes in Iran
In this article, Joel Gill and Faith Taylor write about the importance of reducing individual and community vulnerability in Iran. This post is written in response to the recent earthquakes in April 2013, and an article posted in the Guardian in 2010. In addition to their GfGD responsibilities, Joel and Faith are undertaking PhD research at King’s College …[Read More]
GfGD at #EGU2013 – Day three
Mid-week at the EGU conference, and we’ve finally got all three GfGD reps in the same place at the same time for a photo! Another busy day, and we’ve picked out a few examples of the latest research being presented at EGU: c The Link Between Rainfall and Cholera in Haiti Prior to the devastating …[Read More]
Women and Natural Hazards
“Women and children first” went the call from the deck of the titanic. And then of course Jack sacrificed his own life to save Rose, who was afloat on what admittedly looked like a raft with more than enough space for two. Chivalrous though this picture is, the reality is very different – in most …[Read More]
King’s College London Summer School: Natural Hazards and Society
The study of natural hazards, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, are an important part of geoscience courses. However a thorough understanding of how and why they impact society requires the study of a much broader range of topics. Similarly, the study of social sciences gives us an understanding of the origins and development of vulnerability, but …[Read More]
Thinking Development: An Academic Partnership Between London and Haiti.
The Sisters of St Joseph provided education for a large number of young girls in Haiti, but their school was destroyed in the 2010 earthquake. It is vital that it is rebuilt. The sisters have many years of teaching experience, but no experience in construction. At University College London (UCL) there is plenty of expertise …[Read More]
Guest Blog: Earthquake Risk Reduction in Bangladesh
Dr Susanne Sargeant works as a seismologist for the British Geological Survey. Susanne is undertaking work on the enhancement of knowledge exchange between earthquake scientists and NGOs for disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response. Her research is an excellent example of the integration of geoscience and development, and she is a member of GfGD’s Advisory Group. …[Read More]
Reducing the Risk of Future Disasters
GfGD welcomes the release of the UK Government Office for Science Foresight Report into “Reducing the Risks of Future Disasters: Priorities for decision makers”. The report has been specially commissioned to recognise the growing need for good disaster and risk reduction (DRR) science. The report describes how the growing threat of natural hazards to increasingly …[Read More]
What can we Learn from the Great Eastern Japan Tsunami?
Over a year and a half on from the Great Eastern Japan Tsunami, and there are still boats lying overturned at the side of roads. Recovering from such a major national catastrophe is a slow process. We hope to be able learn from this tragedy and use it to lower vulnerability to future disasters, both …[Read More]