Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 06/2014

After the Disaster: Rebuilding Communities

Megan Scribner, Lauren Herzer

April 2011

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Abstract

This report draws from the dialogue and seminar papers shared at an April 2011 meeting co-hosted by the Wilson Center and the Fetzer Institute to explore how best to respond to disasters. Highlighting the complex nature of disaster response and exploring ways to overcome the inherent tension between those responding to disasters and the local community, the discussion centered on how to identify the strengths of a community and use technology to better engage the local community and provide effective, sustainable relief.