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educationJan 13, 20258:33pending

1334 || debunking the myth of post-disaster chaos

About this episode

Contrary to widespread belief, there is not an increase in crime after disasters. In fact, the opposite is true. After every disaster, there is an increase in prosocial behavior. These myths perpetuate harmful stereotypes and we need to combat them so we can focus on what really matters: solidarity, mutual assistance, and community.


"Prioritizing the humanitarian needs of hurricane survivors not only addresses threats to residents’ health and livelihoods, it also helps mitigate the survival appropriation behavior that may account for some criminal activity in the absence of assistance." - Natural Hazards Center



Naomi Klein's The Shock Doctrine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shock_Doctrine


An Article on the Myth: https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/the-myth-of-disaster-looting


Research: https://hazards.colorado.edu/news/research-counts/looting-or-community-solidarity-reconciling-distorted-posthurricane-media-coverage


Rebecca Solnit's "A Paradise Built in Hell": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Paradise_Built_in_Hell


Myth of Lawlessness Article: https://www.gastongazette.com/story/opinion/2017/09/08/matthew-t-mangino-myth-of-lawlessness-in-wake-of-disaster/18856137007/


LA Wildfire Relief Request Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1itHRf_K30jebqz1vYMjhjMsu7OV549gV-_G58hXPOYs/edit?gid=0#gid=0


Palestinian Children's Relief Fund: www.pcrf.net


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1334 || debunking the myth of post-disaster chaos

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