CULTURE IN EMERGENCIES
CULTURE IN EMERGENCIES In an armed conflict or a disaster situation, culture is particularly at risk, owing to its inherent vulnerability and tremendous symbolic value. At the same time, culture is a driver of recovery, strengthening the resilience of a community. Disasters caused by natural or human-made hazards including war, earthquakes, fires, floods, landslides and typhoons, have caused extensive damage to, if not the complete loss of, innumerable cultural and natural heritage sites, museums, cultural institutions, as well as intangible cultural practices, over the years. Culture, however, is not only a victim of emergency situations. Immediately after a disaster or an armed conflict, communities often find in heritage an essential element of material and ...