Citation

Shultz JM, Cohen MA, Hermosilla S, Espinel Z, McLean A. Disaster Health 2016; 3(1): 32-44.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences , Fargo, ND, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/21665044.2016.1173443

PMID

28229013

Abstract

In contrast to continental nations, the world's 52 small island developing states (SIDS) are recognized as a collective of countries that experience disproportionate challenges for sustainable development related to their geography, small size, and physical isolation. These same states also face elevated risks for disaster incidence and consequences particularly in the realms of climate change, sea level rise, natural disasters (tropical cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes), and marine hazardous materials spills. Cyclone Winston's direct impact on Fiji in 2016 and Cyclone Pam's landfall over Vanuatu in 2015 provide case examples illustrating the special vulnerabilities of the SIDS.

Language: en

Keywords

El Niño; climate change; disaster complexity; disaster risk reduction; risk communication; small island developing states; tropical cyclone