2016 Volume 6 Issue 1 Pages 42-60
This study applies a human security perspective in analyzing the consequences of the 2010/11 Canterbury (New Zealand) earthquakes and the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami. It explores different factors that shape the vulnerability and resilience of individuals to natural hazards. We hypothesize that individuals differ in their vulnerability to- and capacity to recover from- disasters resulting from their demographic, social and economic characteristics. We take a closer look at how these disasters have affected the lives of a group of Filipino migrants and how they are able to cope with and recover from these calamitous experiences. Our analysis indicates that during natural disasters social competence (awareness, attitude, knowledge, communication skills) and social networks are very important mechanisms for coping and building resilience.
