Disasterland

This book analyses the making of the international world of 'natural' disasters by its professionals. Through a long-term ethnographic study of this arena, the author unveils the various elements that are necessary for the construction of an international world: a collective narrative, a shared language, and standardized practices. The book analyses the two main framings that these professionals use to situate themselves with regards to a disaster: preparedness and resilience, arguing that the making of the world of 'natural' disasters reveals how heterogeneous, conflicting, and sometimes competing elements are put together.

Compares the ways in which natural disaster is framed at local and international levels Looks critically at the actors involved in representations of disaster Analyzes the plurality of interpretations and implementations in response to natural disasters

Auteur
Sandrine Revet is Research Professor at CERI Sciences Po, France.

Texte du rabat

This book analyses the making of the international world of natural disasters by its professionals. Through a long-term ethnographic study of this arena, the author unveils the various elements that are necessary for the construction of an international world: a collective narrative, a shared language, and standardized practices. The book analyses the two main framings that these professionals use to situate themselves with regards to a disaster: preparedness and resilience, arguing that the making of the world of natural disasters reveals how heterogeneous, conflicting, and sometimes competing elements are put together.

Résumé

"Disasterland is a great book not only for scholars interested in international organisations, transnational professionals and disaster risk reduction, but also practitioners, as it offers to bring practical reflexivity in the work of disaster professionals. ... the book is accessible to a wide range of audiences and avoids academic jargon as much as possible, while leading the reader through an intellectual journey into the work of disaster professionals 'behind the scenes'." (Kari De Pryck,European Review of International Studies ERIS, Vol. 8, 2021)

Contenu

1. Introducing Disasterland.- 2. Stories of a Fragmented World.- 3. Disaster Iconography: Victims, Rescue Workers and Hazards.- 4. Making Disasters International.- 5. Creating Common Ground to "See the Same Disaster".- 6. Preparedness.- 7. Resilience.- 8. Conclusion.