Turning Disasters Into Peacemaking Opportunities

Chapter 7

Defining Natural and “Un-Natural” Disasters

• No place on Earth is immune to natural disasters. • Natural disasters are often the product of hydrological,

geological, or meteorological events. • A combination of human-related factors including

ecosystem destruction, climate change and population growth have been part of the cause of “un” natural disasters

• An Un Natural disaster is a natural disturbance made worse by human activities.

• Coral destruction on coastline allowed waves to become more powerful when they hit land.

The Connection Between Disasters and Conflicts

• This chapter talks about why some disasters do not bring peace makers or help.

• Some disasters are too small or have a slow onset do not grab the drama necessary to grab the worlds attention for intervention and help.

• Some disasters such as drought do not attract the peacemaking abilities that would by a hurricane or tsunami

Storm Clouds and Silver Linings

• Natural disasters both rapid and slow onset such as floods and droughts can undermine livelihoods and compromise human security.

• May trigger social conflicts as well• Disasters create heavy economic tolls on the countries

hit by natural disasters• In divided societies, conflicts may arise if relief is seen as

a tool for favors to a group or community. • Resettlement post disasters may also create conflicts

between feuding groups. • Disasters may create new conflicts in the midst of

peacekeeping operations

Aceh: Breaking the Logjam

• Post-Tsunami Aceh stated peacemaking operations to end the 30 year conflict

• Political centralization and exploitation of natural resources stated and remain at the center of conflict

• Humanitarian effort in Aceh after the 2004 tsunami kick started efforts to remove military influence in the government and the conflict.

• An August 2005 peace agreement with Aceh included human rights, amnesty, reintegration, security, economy and political participation. Enabled the government have more freedom.

Sri Lanka: Neither War Nor Peace

• Sri Lanka was torn in half by civil war until 1983 until a cease fire was reached

• The cease fire however was focused on only two groups of the country instead of all, including the Buddhist and Muslim parties

• Post Tsunami called for national unity and started cooperation from all groups.

• Rifts between LTTE ( Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) and the governing party were not forgotten.

• A Post Tsunami Operational Management Structure in 2005 brought together the fighting groups plus others to reconcile and bring their country together from the Tsunami

Humanitarian and Environmental Peacekeeping

• Humanitarian efforts must be transformed into political change by addressing the base of conflicts and creating tasks to change conflict to peace

• Environmental restoration after disasters is important because it aids a vulnerable ecosystem which has been weakened during a natural disaster

• Peacekeeping operations are one of a kind. They either aid in the change from conflict to peace or they can deepen the conflict between feuding societies