How Governments Declare Disasters: Thoughts from Southeast Asia

Описание: Presenter: A. Michael Stern, Foreign Service Officer, United States Agency for International Development

Governments most often declare disasters in response to natural events (storms, flooding, earthquakes, etc.) and to a lesser degree other human-generated crises (e.g., internal violent conflicts that cause people to be displaced from their villages). International guidance and the literature on the decision to declare a disaster and appeal for international assistance are mainly technically oriented. However, the political dimensions of these decisions are crucial to understanding what motivates a disaster declaration and when governments are willing to take the sometimes sensitive step of accepting outside help to address the disaster. This talk will draw on the presenter's practical experience with disaster responses internationally, offering thoughts on this question, using examples from Southeast Asia, and addressing the significant intersections between governance and disaster management.

Aaron "Michael" Stern (PhD, University of Michigan) is currently a foreign service officer with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He joined USAID in 2007 and has served in Washington, the Philippines, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Frankfurt (supporting Iraq), and Madagascar. He is currently the deputy country representative for USAID in Laos.

The Center for Southeast Asian Studies organizes and sponsors a number of events such as lectures, film screening, workshops, symposia, conferences, exhibits, and performances throughout the year. Several of these events are in collaboration with other U-M units, and are often free and open to the public. For more CSEAS events, please visit our 2021/22 Lecture Series page.