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Abstract

International practices of disaster preparedness presume human agency, particularly at the household level, as an important pre-emptive response to anticipated natural hazards. Our analysis of Fijian responses to Tropical Cyclone Winston indicates that preparedness is also regarded as important by cyclone survivors but has a moral dimension that can be used to assign blame to underprepared members of the community. However, Fijian villagers’ experiences of terror and awe during Tropical Cyclone Winston also make them aware of the limits of human agency, prompting them to reflect on God’s role in the cyclone and the need for collective repentance and renewed Christian commitment. The effectiveness of disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation efforts can only be enhanced by a better understanding of the values of affected communities, including religious and spiritual values. We seek to contribute to this knowledge by showing how disaster preparedness both converges with and diverges from Fijian Christian practices.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Cox, J and Varea, R and Finau, G and Tarai, J and Kant, R and Titifanue, J and Neef, A
Keywords:	disaster preparedness, Christianity, Fiji, South Pacific, agency
Journal or Publication Title:	Anthropological Forum
Publisher:	Routledge
ISSN:	0066-4677
DOI / ID Number:	https://doi.org/10.1080/00664677.2019.1647833
Copyright Information:	Copyright 2019 The University of Western Australia
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