Structural Understanding of Social Production of Disasters: Perspectives from Anthropology

This study explored the factors of social vulnerability from a fishing community known as Nolia in Arakhakuda village of Orissa by using ethnographic research. Participant observation and narratives were employed to collect empirical data. This paper provides insights into existing social vulnerabilities and fishers responses to them during the cycle of disaster. Their susceptibility to natural disasters provides a logical premise for understanding the empirical content of social vulnerability. The main factors which contribute and enhance their vulnerability are their occupation which depends on season, lack of education, poverty, geographical location and the caste etc. These factors were examined in the context of their local knowledge and living conditions, cultural backgrounds, present socio-economic status, political and environmental awareness. A holistic approach that includes questions of development, livelihood, infrastructure, institutions, society, demography and the environment needs to evolve to meet the challenges of social vulnerability.