Understanding the disaster-development continuum

Abstract

Disasters are not simply 'natural' but shaped by human choices. These choices make some people - invariably women - more physically, socially and psychologically vulnerable than others. Anderson's article examines how disaster relief relates to long term development; how to work with poor people to move from short-term dependency to self-sufficiency. She shows why gender analysis is the optimum means to achieve fair and efficient development, by addressing causes rather than symptoms of natural disasters. The UN, donors, and NGOs need to appreciate this in the context of more disasters taking place, and fewer funds being available to respond to those disasters. This article is hosted by our co-publisher Taylor & Francis. For the full table of contents for this and previous issues of this journal, please visit the Gender and Development website.