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I am interested in seeing how social ties and networks have been used to cope with (un)natural disasters. My research focus on places under disasters conditions such as Puerto Rico after hurricane Maria, in which social ties have made the difference between life and death. Furthermore, “natural” disaster has been used to approved austerity measures and unjust policies to impoverished communities like in New Orleans after Katrina. These policies were not new, as they are rooted in structures of power to preserve the status quo. Yet, people have resisted, “through a network of branches, cultures, and geographies” that has stimulated a reflective process of looking within for solutions rather than outside. As often this outside solutions are not only detached from community’s reality but can perpetuate social injustices and inequalities.

McKittrick, K., & Woods, C. A. (Eds.). (2007). Black geographies and the politics of place. South End Press.

Bullard, R. D., & Wright, B. (Eds.). (2009). Race, place, and environmental justice after Hurricane Katrina: Struggles to reclaim, rebuild, and revitalize New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Westview Press.

This convention has address matters towards the state governments rather than vulnerable  populations. Although this convention might assist vulnerable populations enhance their living  quality.

The project was organized in association with Healing Hands for Haiti (HHH). The Haiti 2010 earthquake has push the need of the program since there is not enough population served in the rehabilitation field. And there is about 15% (~1.5M) people living with a disability. The program was available before the earthquake, due to the lack of physical therapists around the country, and most of them are lived aboard. It was aimed to strengthen the rehabilitation skills within the local community and disaster preparedness.

Since the design used the aluminum alloy and steel as the main materials, the product cost should not be unaffordable for emergency uses. For the design, it is definitely attainable for the imagined user in a disaster situation.

OSHA has produced a wide range of publication on hundreds of topic that relates to the safety issues. These publications are in EPUB format for publics to view. They also produce fortnightly newsletters via email and RSS feeds.  

The MSF members could get some rest if there do not attend some of the parties, even though having a party is a way of relaxing, but sleeping in some way has the same function as well.