Sequential ambiguity and uncertainty in the early stage of a disaster relief: A case study of the Bam earthquake

Maryam Hosseinnejad, PhD Candidate; Mina Mahdavian, MS; Farzaneh Zolala, PhD

doi:10.5055/jem.2020.0451

Authors

Maryam Hosseinnejad, PhD Candidate
Mina Mahdavian, MS
Farzaneh Zolala, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2020.0451

Keywords:

communication, information, training, education, natural disaster

Abstract

This study aimed to identify issues that arose during the early response stage of the Bam earthquake as perceived by the aid workers. Eleven people who had been involved in the Bam earthquake response, and who were working for the Red Crescent in Iran or the Kerman University of Medical Science teams, were interviewed. These groups were two of the main organizations providing assistance to victims of the Bam earthquake. The authors used two nonrandom sampling methods, namely, purposive and snowball sampling. The interviewees identified two main barriers for achieving an effective response at the early stage aftermath of the earthquake, as follows: first, the lack of accurate information on the location and extent of the earthquake due to shortage in communication tools and, second, inadequate training on different challenges posed in relation to the disaster, before the earthquake occurred.

Author Biographies

Maryam Hosseinnejad, PhD Candidate

PhD Candidate in Health in Emergencies and Disasters, Department of Health in Emergencies and Disasters, School of Management and Medical Informatics, University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Department of Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery and Health, Islamic Azad University, Kerman Branch, Kerman, Iran

Mina Mahdavian, MS

MS in Sociology, Modeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Farzaneh Zolala, PhD

Associate Professor in Epidemiology, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

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