Influence of socio-cultural factors on community disaster response during tc winston: A case study of burenitu village, Fiji

Abstract

TC Winston, a Category 5 cyclone made landfall over Viti Levu, Fiji in 2016, causing massive destruction. It caused 44 deaths and destroyed the livelihood of approximately 60% of Fiji's population. Fatalities and loss would have been reduced if people were proactive. Socio-cultural factors influence community disaster response. This research aims to analyze how indigenous knowledge, kinship networks and attitude influenced community disaster response during TC Winston. The study was done in Burenitu village, in Ra province. The research was conducted through a literature review, questionnaire survey, interviews and observations. Procrastination hindered preparedness activities. Indigenous knowledge of cyclone prediction, food preservation and traditional cyclone shelter construction exists among the older generation. It is no longer practised due to reliance on modern weather forecasting, dependency on external relief assistance and reliance on western type of building for evacuation. There is a knowledge gap between the young and old. Loss of indigenous knowledge is inevitable if it is not passed on to the younger generation. Kinship network involved sharing of food and clothes, caring for vulnerable people, evacuation, distributing relief supplies and rehabilitation. In conclusion, the use of indigenous knowledge and kinship networks assisted in community disaster response. Procrastination was a hindrance but was curbed by continuous motivation.