Policy considerations on hurricane induced human displacement: Lessons from Cyclone Sidr and Hurricane Katrina

Abstract

Hurricane or Cyclone is an extreme environment and climate event that has both long-term and short-term impact, and produces environmental emergency displacement. This study has focused on two devastating cyclone disaster events in the 21st century: Hurricane Katrina in 2005 in the USA and Cyclone Sidr in 2007 in Bangladesh. By using secondary-based research and comparative case study technique, this study focuses on different considerations of governmental policy approaches and responses such as encouraging displacement through resettlement or relocation planning, providing resilience-oriented practices or in-situ adaptation practices; discouraging migration by providing soft policies such as rapid response and distribution plan, insurance, tax policies, incentives etc. in Hurricane Katrina and Cyclone Sidr. By highlighting the above considerations, this study found that developing policy at national level as well as strategic and operational measures at state/local level, integrating rights, resilience and relocation issues with existing relevant policies and programs and active community-based preparedness programs can reduce human displacement from hurricane or cyclone disaster.