Kaikoura’s post-disaster recovery and the build back better framework

The need for a Post-Disaster Recovery framework has never been more critical in the face of increased risk and threats we are facing due to climate change and natural disasters.   

A successful post-disaster recovery framework address rehabilitation of physical structures and the psychological, social, and economic recovery of communities, making it a holistic approach.

In 2016 a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Kaikoura, a small tourism-based town on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The event caused 80,00 landslides, damaged buildings, injured 50 people, and killed two people.

Damage to infrastructures like roads, bridges, rail, and ports was also severe. In fact, the town was isolated from the rest of the country for 2 days because of this, making it very challenging to send immediate support and relief following the disaster.

Aside from earthquakes, the town is also susceptible to wildfires and landslides, hazards that climate scientists project to increase in severity and frequency due to climate change.

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