Publisher's Synopsis
Natural disasters and their harrowing human impact hit the headlines with seemingly increasing frequency, yet despite the dramatic immediacy of earthquake, flood, famine, drought or pandemic, it is often inadequate planning or response to the disaster that causes the real crises of human suffering. This collection of essays explores the institutional and managerial problems of coping with disasters within a political economy framework, with case studies of disaster, control and management mainly in Africa, South America and Asia.;Emphasis is placed on vulnerability to natural disasters and the mitigation of suffering and economic and environmental loss by sustainable control, appropriate forecasting and impact reduction measures.
