The Role of Community Knowledge in Disaster Management: The Bam Earthquake Lesson in Iran

Bamdad N¹*

1. Institute of Management and Planning Studies, Tehran, Iran

This paper will attempt to examine the Bam earthquake lessons in the light of a comprehensive approach to disaster phenomena. The theoretical aspects of the paper belong to a macro level of analysis with stressing community knowledge base concept. The practical dimensions of this paper may be fall into a messo level of analysis with emphasizing inter-organizational relations in disaster management.

The Bam earthquake experience in Iran emphasizes a comprehensive approach in facing sever disasters in the future. The roles of communities are very important in several aspects. For instance, communities play dual role of victim-rescuer at the response phase of a sever disaster. The paper uses some empirical findings that support the notion of community engagement in disaster management. For example, a study shows that there is a positive correlation between the level of people education and preparedness for earthquake. In the case of interaction between communities and organizations, studies elaborate that the level residences’ knowledge about the organizations related to earthquake such as Red Crescent Society is very low. Therefore, it is understood that the level of community engagement in disaster management is associated with the level of public education. In addition, the level of community trust in an organization is also associated with the level of community engagement in that organization. In essence, a broader and more inclusive definition of disaster management is required for covering community engagement.

There are several approaches or major concepts in the literature of disaster management such as disaster-resistance community, disaster-resilient community, sustainable development, sustainable hazards mitigation, invulnerable development, and comprehensive vulnerability management. What is emphasized in this paper is the major concept of ‘disaster knowledgeable community’ that may cover many government initiatives in planning disaster management in Iran.

It is argued that sever disasters affect whole society and communities and understanding sever disaster phenomena needs collaboration of several academic disciplines. Furthermore, engaging communities in disaster management practically is also should be understood in a comprehensive model of action. Consequently, Integrating the findings of academic disciplines in studying sever disasters is a macro level of analysis and translating these finding in a model of action is possible in a holistic paradigm. In addition, considering the advantages of the previous disaster management approaches is an important part of a holistic approach like ‘disaster knowledgeable community’.

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