The world is full of bad news. Sometimes it can seem as if there are more and more disasters around the world. Unfortunately that really is the case as Marcus Oxley points out in our opening article. Disasters can damage communities. However challenges can also bring out the best in people. Preparing to cope with a possible hazard means that a community will have to organise itself. This can bring many benefits in day-to-day life – even if an unexpected hazard never arrives. This issue focuses on how we can learn from the experience of others and gives ideas on how we can help organise our community to be prepared for the unexpected.
Isabel Carter