‘Human capital’ refers to people’s skills and capabilities, including the ability to access resources and knowledge(1). It includes education, physical and mental health, physical ability, knowledge from lived experience and leadership capabilities.
This page is part of the Guide to Disaster Recovery Capitals.
WHAT WE KNOW
Adults and children use various coping strategies following disasters, and being able to help others can be particularly helpful to recovery(2,3). People provide practical and emotional support to others in many ways, drawing on a diverse set of capabilities. For example, following Hurricane Sandy, volunteers who had already been experiencing homelessness played a valuable role in supporting the disaster-affected community(4).
WHAT WE KNOW
Employment sector and status influence how people are affected by disasters. People are more likely to face reduced income if their employment is part-time, low-paying, in particular fields(5), and if they are women(6). Those working in agriculture, accommodation and food services are generally hit hardest, while income can even increase in some sectors(5). Community level impacts also vary based on local economies(7).
WHAT WE KNOW
The recovery workforce must be assembled very quickly following a disaster. The increased demand means that staff and volunteers do not always have the knowledge and skills that they need, which can negatively impact the wellbeing of those in need of support(8).
The wellbeing of service providers themselves is also undermined when demands exceed what they are able to meet(9–11). Disaster recovery support roles can be fulfilling but they can also be challenging and stressful. Workers and volunteers may face increased mental health risks, particularly if they have also been personally impacted by disaster and if training and support are inadequate(12–14). Planning and coordination by organisations and governments are crucial in meeting these workforce demands, and in all aspects of recovery(15,16).
WHAT WE KNOW
Knowledge and capacity within disaster-affected communities influences recovery experiences. Experience of previous disasters or adversity can build this knowledge and recovery capacity, although lessons can also be misapplied if they don’t allow for the unique elements of new events(4,17–22). Multiple disasters that occur in quick succession may have amplified impacts(23) and undermine community recovery capacity.
WHAT WE KNOW
Certain demographic factors are linked with vulnerability to disasters, including: age, gender, race, cultural and linguistic background, health, disability, education, household composition and housing status(18,24–26). These factors intersect in complex ways for people who belong to multiple groups positioned as ‘vulnerable’(27).
Vulnerability is largely caused by social and financial disadvantage, and policies, messaging and practices that overlook some people’s circumstances, capabilities and needs(26,28,29).
WHAT WE KNOW
Strong and adaptable leaders can help to access external resources, encourage innovation, support mental health and foster cooperation within and between communities(30–32). Training and supporting leaders before and after disasters may build these attributes, with benefits to communities as well as the wellbeing of those in leadership roles(31,33–36).
WHAT WE KNOW
Disasters can be disruptive to education, with long term impacts on school attendance and academic performance(37,38). School communities play an important role in supporting children and families after disasters, but educators and staff are likely to require support to cope with these additional demands(39,40).
This resource has been developed through the Recovery Capitals (ReCap) project.
Artwork on this page by Oslo Davis and Frances Belle Parker.
Please contact Phoebe Quinn with any comments or enquiries: (03) 8344 3097, phoebeq@unimelb.edu.au or info-beyondbushfires@unimelb.edu.au.
To stay updated about the project, you can subscribe below and follow Beyond Bushfires on Facebook and Twitter.
