A new research paper published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction shines a light on the vital role of communities in disaster response and recovery. The study, led by Emma Pittaway and co-authored by several UCRH researchers, explores the dynamics between community-led groups and disaster management agencies following the catastrophic floods and landslips in the Northern Rivers region in 2022.
The paper is one output from a broader project project aimed to better understand the evolution of the connections between formal agencies and informal community groups prior to, during and after the floods and landslides happened.Â
Drawing on 41 interviews and network mapping conducted one to two years after the disaster, the research reveals significant barriers to collaboration. Despite the rapid, adaptive, and localised solutions provided by community groups, their contributions often go unrecognised. Through the lens of invisibility theory, the paper examines structural exclusions that hinder effective disaster response and recovery.
The findings highlight that successful collaboration depends on trust, respect, and sustained relationships. Where partnerships worked well, they were enabled by flexible, locally embedded approaches and agency personnel willing to challenge hierarchical structures and risk-averse policies.
As climate-related disasters become more frequent and severe, the research calls for cultural and structural shifts within the disaster management sector. Moving from top-down engagement models to genuine partnerships that value community-led expertise is essential for building resilience and improving response effectiveness.
This important work underscores UCRH’s commitment to research that strengthens communities and supports health and wellbeing in rural and regional Australia.
