A new survey out of Australia shows the improved confidence of survivors of natural disasters in their ability to weather future disasters. Conducted as part of Monash University’s Fire to Flourish initiative, the survey asked 3,500 individuals about topics related to their preparedness, and their confidence in themselves and their communities to handle a natural disaster, according to an article in 7 News Australia. Results of the survey showed large gaps between those who had previously been affected by a natural disaster, and those who had not.
According to the survey, 67% of survivors indicated they would cope well or very well with a future disaster, while only 48% who had not previously been in a disaster said the same. Similar magnitude gaps were noted with respect to questions about household readiness (68% vs 43%), and perceived readiness of their communities (71% vs. 51%)
Says Fire to Flourish CEO Briony Rogers to 7 News Australia, “While disaster survivors are often depicted as victims with reduced capacities, this is not how they see themselves. In fact, Australians who have gone through a natural disaster bounce back, more confident in their ability to cope with whatever the future may throw at them.”
Source:
https://7news.com.au/weather/natural-disasters/disaster-survivors-an-untapped-resource-c-5487213
