Symbolic Planning and Disaster Preparedness in Developing Countries: The Presbyterian Church in Vanuatu

Abstract

In developing countries vulnerable to natural disasters, disaster planning is being encouraged and facilitated by donors, This is done in order to promote self-reliance as well as to mitigate the effects of disasters and lessen the need for a high degree of external emergency response assistance. This paper examines the development of disaster plans among the South West Pacific Island countries and pays particular attention to Vanuatu as a case study. The example used is the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu's Disaster Guideline, which was mitten without direct external input. An examination of the history of Vanuatu and the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu points to the cultural significance of symbols. It is argued that rather than promoting self-reliance, disaster planning has fostered a dependency relationship between donors and recipients in the Pacific Islands, albeit in a different form than during the period of colonial domination. The tendency to impose first World disaster planning strategies without significant regard for indigenous cultures has led to counter-disaster products, such as disaster plans, being regarded more as symbols than as practical tools. It is argued that in order for disaster planning to become more than just symbolic, donors and their disaster managers must be prepared to adapt their programs to local conditions. involve the indigenous people in all steps of disaster planning and commit themselves to long term programs.