THIRTEEN PROPOSITIONS
FOR A DISASTROUS WORLD AND
DEEP COMMUNAL CARE
MEGA DISASTERS
OFFICIAL AGENCY HELP vs COLLECTIVE SELF-HELP
THE POSSIBILITIES FOR STRUCTURAL CHANGE
AND THE STORIES WE DO AND DON’T TELL.
OFFERED FOR COMMENT AND RESPONSE.
HHUG INC NORTHERN RIVERS BUSHFIRE, FLOOD AND DISASTER CONVERGENCE PROJECT
DOWNLOAD PROPOSITIONS PDF DOCUMENT HERE
ABOUT THE PROPOSITIONS
This document presents a series of propositions about mega disasters in Australia and the ability for communities to be cared for, and to care for themselves, in during and after disaster.
What we propose here is based on our first-hand frontline experience of helping coordinate community-led disaster efforts, mixed with wider conversations with others on the frontline of community-based and official disaster care, and readings from national and international literature.
It is our attempt to speak to things that we think many community disaster organisers know, and some government officials know, but which are yet to fully be explored in public discussions and media coverage.
This online survey has been created to collect responses and stories for the “thirteen propositions” HHUG has drafted up, concerning mega disasters in Australia and the ability for communities to be cared for, and to care for themselves, in during and after disaster.
Each proposition is just one or two sentences, and is accompanied by some detailed explanation that provides nuance and context. You can read all of it, in our online survey. Or if you prefer to read it in document form, the full text is presented in this twelve-page downloadable PDF where you can also read about the authors.
/// INVITING YOUR RESPONSE
These propositions are offered for response and dialogue. We expect a diversity of views, and welcome differences. Perhaps you think one or some propositions are wrong, or don’t go far enough. Perhaps you think we've missed something important. Let us know.
We especially invite insights, feelings, and stories/anecdotes concerning these propositions, from anyone and everyone who has been involved somehow in coordinating disaster efforts in the Northern Rivers and beyond.
We aim to publish these responses alongside the propositions as a concluding part of the Northern Rivers Bushfire, Flood and Disaster Convergence project led by HHUG. We hope this adds to the shared knowledge and shared connection processes needed to address this big topic.
/// METHOD OF RESPONSE
In this online survey, you can read about each propositions, and then respond in the text boxes provided.
Alternatively, you can provide response to us in an email -- For each proposition (#1 to #13) we invite responses in terms of (a) your perspectives, (b) your feelings, and (c) your on-the-ground stories/examples --- And send this to luke@hhug.org.au and ella@hhug.org.au
Another option is you could have a recorded zoom yarn with us about your response to these propositions, where we then transcribe the recording, send it to you for final approval before including it in our proposition publication.
You can be named, or anonymous, whichever you prefer and/or need. (It’s one of the questions we ask in our survey/template.)
If you are interested in writing up your experiences in a more detailed case study to accompany these propositions, please let us know and we can add you to our shortlist.
/// TAKE CARE
We suggest to make a cuppa, and find a comfy place to read and write...
If going into all this feels too overwhelming, or brings up trauma or difficulties, our hearts are with you, and we invite you to take all the time you need, or walk away from it totally if needed. No pressure, just a welcome invitation.
The landscape of mega disasters and our collective disaster efforts is not a totally positive story, although it is filled with heroic feats and humble love. Our aim is to be realistic, rather than optimistic or pessimistic. Whatever facts are to be faced, let’s face them together. We believe that positive things come from honest, open dialogue, even if the stories we share are full of heartache and challenge.