Older persons who have gone through different disasters (Gervaise (1975),
Hyacinthe/Jacinthe (1980) Hollanda (1994) for cyclones in the Indian ocean) will
have different perceptions than those younger people (millenials – generation Y and
Z) who have not. Recently, three youths were nearly drowned while surfing when the
Meteorological Services had announced a swelling sea with 4 metre waves! Risk
taking at its best!
12.10.2 Unequal Compensation
Many individuals, or organisations take out insurance policies against loss of human
life or material damages, as a form of protection (impact mitigation). Other common
examples range from different life insurance policies, the car insurance schemes, to
the contactor’s insurance against damages on a site during construction.
Here again, perceptions might be different, because of age and experience. While
the head of a household (baby boomer or generation X) might take a life insurance
(he has heard or seen the impacts of people dying suddenly without any insurance),
young unmarried professionals may ask themselves (lack of experience, knowledge)
why it is at all important or necessary.
No insurance company prescribes philanthropy. All the expenses plus the insurance benefits to be paid are recovered from the premiums. This implies that the cost
of insurance will depend very much on the number of people who take this particular
insurance. Life insurance premium is relatively cheap, compared to the premium that
a contractor will have to pay against the risk of his bridge construction being washed
away during a flood. In effect, it might be cheaper to bear the risk himself. In case no
flood occurs, he has saved money; in the case of a flood, the damage might cost less
to make good than the premium the insurance company would charge him.
On the other hand, if there is bad weather, the fishermen receive an allowance
from the government, while the Sugar Insurance Fund Board (this is an insurance
funded by sugar cane planters – funds are deducted at source by the State) compensates sugar cane planters in case of drought, etc. However, when vegetable planters
suffer weather damages, usually the population (buyers) compensate them through
the higher prices of vegetables! Is this fair to all sectors concerned?
12.10.3 Reconstruction Principles
Only in extreme cases, would a relocation be envisaged. At the top of La Butte,
Mauritius, the construction of a new Maupin reservoir was halted and abandoned
(and the old one demolished) because it would impose a big load at the top of a
possible landslide area.
At the same La Butte area, prone to landslides, the government spent a lot of
money to ensure that the area is stabilized. The cost of the project undertaken in 1996
12.10 After the Disaster
351
Hyacinthe/Jacinthe (1980) Hollanda (1994) for cyclones in the Indian ocean) will
have different perceptions than those younger people (millenials – generation Y and
Z) who have not. Recently, three youths were nearly drowned while surfing when the
Meteorological Services had announced a swelling sea with 4 metre waves! Risk
taking at its best!
12.10.2 Unequal Compensation
Many individuals, or organisations take out insurance policies against loss of human
life or material damages, as a form of protection (impact mitigation). Other common
examples range from different life insurance policies, the car insurance schemes, to
the contactor’s insurance against damages on a site during construction.
Here again, perceptions might be different, because of age and experience. While
the head of a household (baby boomer or generation X) might take a life insurance
(he has heard or seen the impacts of people dying suddenly without any insurance),
young unmarried professionals may ask themselves (lack of experience, knowledge)
why it is at all important or necessary.
No insurance company prescribes philanthropy. All the expenses plus the insurance benefits to be paid are recovered from the premiums. This implies that the cost
of insurance will depend very much on the number of people who take this particular
insurance. Life insurance premium is relatively cheap, compared to the premium that
a contractor will have to pay against the risk of his bridge construction being washed
away during a flood. In effect, it might be cheaper to bear the risk himself. In case no
flood occurs, he has saved money; in the case of a flood, the damage might cost less
to make good than the premium the insurance company would charge him.
On the other hand, if there is bad weather, the fishermen receive an allowance
from the government, while the Sugar Insurance Fund Board (this is an insurance
funded by sugar cane planters – funds are deducted at source by the State) compensates sugar cane planters in case of drought, etc. However, when vegetable planters
suffer weather damages, usually the population (buyers) compensate them through
the higher prices of vegetables! Is this fair to all sectors concerned?
12.10.3 Reconstruction Principles
Only in extreme cases, would a relocation be envisaged. At the top of La Butte,
Mauritius, the construction of a new Maupin reservoir was halted and abandoned
(and the old one demolished) because it would impose a big load at the top of a
possible landslide area.
At the same La Butte area, prone to landslides, the government spent a lot of
money to ensure that the area is stabilized. The cost of the project undertaken in 1996
12.10 After the Disaster
351