Resourcing issues in past disaster recoveries: Some perspectives
Alice Yan Chang-Richards, Erica Seville, Suzanne Wilkinson, David Brunsdon
Resilient Organisations Research Report 2012/07
Preface
Resource availability is likely to be a significant issue for the Canterbury rebuild. Systematic mapping, monitoring, and modelling of the labour demand in Canterbury has been happening since the quakes. Other input materials for reconstruction such as aggregate and cement are also being modelled to reflect the sector trends and performance in response to a large-scale disaster. However, understanding what is going on and what might happen remains a particular challenge for forecasters and policymakers. This report looks at general lessons that have emerged from other post-disaster reconstruction efforts around the world that are relevant to the Canterbury rebuild from a resource perspective. Whilst the details of every country’s experience differ, the nature of the recovery process post-disaster remains consistent. The information included in this report is derived from Resilient Organisations’ longitudinal studies of disasters in Indonesia, China and Australia. Much of the resourcing issues observed in those countries following their disasters are now being experienced in Christchurch. The data collected provides insights into the dynamic mechanism of resource changes over time. The way the past is understood will inevitably influence the way current challenges are approached. This report should inform the current long-term recovery planning in Christchurch, as well as post-disaster recovery planning for future events.