Human Security and Natural Disasters  

Editors: Christopher Hobson, Paul Bacon, and Robin Cameron 

Publisher: Routledge 

Year of Publication: 2014

Pages: 211

 Reviewer: Patrick Swanzy

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The current instability in the world caused by human action and natural disasters demands the need to acknowledge the efforts of writers who had earlier on through their works unpacked the concept and projected how these phenomena impact the well-being of humans. In a book titled “Human Security and Natural Disasters” edited by renowned scholars namely Christopher Hobson, Paul Bacon and Robin Cameron and spanning eleven (11) chapters contributed by authors (Elaine Enarson, Naomi Zack, Emily Ying Yang Chan, Rosamund, J.  Southgate, Vesselin Popovski, Jennifer Hyndman, Paul Zeccola, Mathew Bolton), from different academic tribes, professional backgrounds and geographical locations, the scholarly piece divulge human security and natural disasters and demonstrate how a human security approach can help us better understand and prepare for natural disasters. 

  In the first chapter, the authors disclose the motivation for their book project as the “triple disaster” that befell Japan in 2011. They highlight that Japan, which had hitherto gained recognition from her peers as a global advocate of human security approach, seemed to have been overwhelmed by the ramifications of the triple disaster, an indication that Japan had not walked the talk when it comes to human security approach domestically. They claim that the ramifications of the ‘triple disaster’ portrayed developed nations as not immune from this phenomenon.  In chapter two, a different dimension to the discussion is brought to bear. The author laments that even though war and conflict and natural disasters trigger similar ramifications, in the human security discourse, war and conflict have taken centre stage whilst natural disasters have been relegated to the background. They caution that in this era, human security structures that ignore natural disasters may lack the capacity to deal with the threats posed to humans. The author concludes that embedding pro-natural disaster features in human security structures enhances the potential to respond and mitigate the impacts of this phenomenon.  

Elaine Enarson rather introduced the gender dimension to the discussion in chapter three. The author highlights the lack of consensus amongst scholars on the definition of human security by portraying that this is similar to the controversy surrounding the definitions of sustainability and quality in literature. The author argues that gender is critical in disaster prevention, response, and recovery. It is argued in the chapter by the author that shockingly, human security discourse downplays gender-based violence, reproductive health, and other concerns that threaten human relationships. The chapter concludes with reflections on how to move gender from the margins to the centre of our thinking about human security. 

Ethics of disaster is the theme discussed in chapter four of the book. Naomi Zack in the chapter shows how the human security paradigm differs from the paradigm desired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and focuses on vulnerability using Hurricane Katrina as a case. The author argues that the suggestion that disaster mitigation and preparation for vulnerable populations should be tied to development was mooted by the United Nations in their policy document titled ‘International Strategy for Disaster Reduction”. The author cautions that this does not suggest that, the United Nations has not in some instances addressed disaster from the standpoint of human security.   Chapter five discusses responses to chronic disease needs following disasters and is written by Emily Ying Yang and Rosamund Southgate.  The key argument of the chapter is that survival, restoration of well-being, and protection from ill health are major concerns for victims and responders following a natural disaster. The authors caution that failing to address chronic disease needs post-disaster will contribute to death and illness, which humanitarian relief operations aim to minimize. Chapter Six of the book is written by Vesselin Popovski. Vesselin perceives state negligence before and after natural disasters as human rights violations which further worsens human security. In the chapter, Vesselin excellently details legal actions that can be pursued by victims in domestic and international courts following human security breaches. Chapter seven of the book focuses on the concept of “dual disasters,” specifically in instances where crises of conflict intersect with environmental disasters.  Using Sri Lanka and Somalia as case studies, the author details how, in three decades, armed conflict, displacement, and human insecurity in Sri Lanka produced unique conditions for acute insecurity in the face of a subsequent environmental disaster, like the tsunami. In the case of Somalia, the author claims war and drought created a humanitarian crisis and widespread human displacement in the 1990s and 2011. Some questions are posed by the author in the chapter to trigger reflections and generate insights into dual disasters, making the chapter one of the most interesting to read. 

Chapter eight written by Paul Zeccola, focused on Aceh, a province in Indonesia which had experienced conflict and a Tsunami in 2004. What is intriguing about this chapter is what the author brings to bear. The author argues that even though disasters are associated with negative consequences, the conflict and Tsunami that plagued Aceh provided an opportunity to address those threats through humanitarian, development and peace-building programmes. 

Chapter nine of the book, dubbed “Exit Strategy,” focuses on Haiti. The author in the chapter discloses that the venue of Haiti’s post-earthquake reconstruction was the cabin of an airplane which was flying over 35,000 feet above sea level. This highlight suggests how disasters demand urgent responses. By being part of this endeavour and documenting this experience, the author needs to be commended. What seems to partly mar the beauty of the story is the racial dimension the author brings to the discussion. The author indicates that the post-earthquake support initiated for Haiti was spearheaded by white foreigners. It is not clear what the author seeks to achieve by explicitly mentioning white foreigners as the key architects of the support for Haitians because the response to disaster knows no race. 

In chapter ten, Robin Cameron provides a revised framework for preparing for, responding to, and recovering from natural disasters.  Specifically, he advocated for an “existential’ account of human security grounded in an understanding of patterns of social relations and forms of community resilience. Thus, the author emphasizes the human’ in human security. 

In the last chapter, the author reiterates that even though human security issues are very critical and little attention has been paid to them, the phenomenon is now receiving attention on the global stage and that gives hope for the future. 

Human Security and Natural Disasters, published by Routledge, is a must-read book for scholars and practitioners. I perceive it as one of the most outstanding works in the field.