Disaster Resilience Management and Preparedness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities in Darwin and Palmerston

Funding: Australian Red Cross
Duration: June 2015 – Mar 2016
Location: Darwin

Spencer, M.,  Christie, M., and Wallace, R. (2016) Disaster Resilience,
Management and Preparedness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
in Darwin and Palmerston Final Report Charles Darwin University

Spencer, M., & Christie, M. (2018). ‘We help each other’: Stories and experiences of disaster management and preparedness in Aboriginal communities in Darwin. Australian Journal of Emergency Management Monograph, 3, 55-59.

Summary:

The aim of this project is to explore the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Darwin when a cyclone, bushfire or severe weather event strikes and in its aftermath, to identify the determinants of vulnerability from the perspective of these communities.

Research will be carried out as a collaboration between researchers from Northern Institute at Charles Darwin University, Larrakia Nation and the Raki’ Mala Aboriginal Consultancy

Outcomes include:

• Detailed accounts of emergency management in Town Communities and the Long Grass
• Identified vulnerabilities for these communities during a crisis
• Recommendations for NTES and service providers around supporting these communities in the future
• Preparation for community specific disaster management plans which may be negotiated between NTES and Town Communities