We are proud to share that UCRH based Dr Rebecca McNaught has been featured in the newly released Disaster Recovery Almanac – a publication that brings together leading voices from around the world to tackle the big questions in disaster recovery.
The Almanac, published by How We Survive, is all about building stronger, community-centred approaches to disaster recovery and resilience. Through research, education, advocacy and collaboration, their ambition is to shift the focus from top-down responses to strategies that put communities at the centre.
In her contribution, Dr McNaught draws on her deep experience working in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. She highlights a critical issue facing many Australians: the way our current insurance system is failing people affected by climate-fuelled disasters like floods and storms. Rebecca’s piece shares real stories from our region, showing how rising premiums, limited coverage, and complex claims processes are leaving many households more vulnerable after disasters, not less.
She points out that insurance, which should be a safety net, is increasingly out of reach for those who need it most. For some, the process of making a claim can be just as traumatic as the disaster itself. This is especially true for people already facing challenges like precarious housing or financial stress. Rebecca calls for urgent reform, including fairer premiums for climate-resilient homes, better support for vulnerable customers, and a stronger focus on prevention, not just recovery.
We believe that sharing this kind of research and lived experience is vital if we want to see real change. The Disaster Recovery Almanac is more than just a collection of essays – it’s a growing record of what matters most in disaster recovery, and a call to action for governments, agencies and communities to work together for better outcomes.
You can read Rebecca’s full piece and explore the Almanac online here.
