Engaging South Asian and Chinese migrants in disaster risk reduction in New Zealand

Abstract

Migration to Aotearoa New Zealand has steadily increased, with migrants now representing almost a quarter of the total population. Migrants can be disproportionately impacted by hazards and disasters due to challenges related to language, culture, and limited knowledge of local hazards and how to navigate systems in the host country. On the other hand, migrants are resourceful and display various coping mechanisms to overcome the effects of a disaster. It is critical to include migrants in disaster risk reduction efforts and leverage their strengths in the resilience building process. This qualitative study explored the perceptions and knowledge of hazards, disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction among Indian and Chinese migrants (n=44) and key informants who play a role in disaster risk reduction (n=6).

The study found that migrants faced daily struggles during their resettlement journey that impacted their ability to prioritise and engage with disaster preparedness. Indian and Chinese migrants also noted how previous experiences in their home countries with disasters and with government services in general influenced their expectations in New Zealand and their level of disaster preparedness. Efforts to increase migrants’ awareness of local hazards and support for disaster preparedness is vital. Migrants were generally willing to participate in disaster risk reduction initiatives. However, while they were often the recipients of disaster response information, actions, and programmes, they seldom had the opportunities to actively take part in formal disaster risk reduction initiatives. Given the heterogeneity amongst migrants, it is important to continue learning about cultural nuances and how to leverage migrants’ strengths for disaster risk reduction.

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Technical Abstract

International migration is increasing globally due to a complex set of social, economic, political, and environmental factors. An ‘international migrant’ refers to any person who has moved from their country of usual residence. India and China are among two of the largest countries of origin of migrants worldwide. Migration to Aotearoa New Zealand has steadily increased, with migrants now representing almost a quarter of the total population. The recent wave of migration to New Zealand has been dominated by Asian people, with those identifying as Indian and Chinese representing the largest groups. 

New Zealand has various natural hazards and recurrently experiences disasters. Migrants can be disproportionately impacted by disasters due to challenges related to language, culture, and limited knowledge of local hazards and how to navigate systems in the host country. On the other hand, migrants are resourceful and display various coping mechanisms to overcome the effects of a hazard or a disaster. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) aims to prevent new and reducing existing disaster risk by reducing vulnerability and strengthening people’s capacities. The Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction acknowledged that there must be a broader and a more people-centred preventive approach to disaster risk and that disaster risk reduction practices need to be inclusive of migrants in order to be efficient and effective.

This qualitative descriptive study explored aspects of migration in relation to disaster risks and preparedness, and strategies for migrant-inclusive disaster risk reduction. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Indian and Chinese migrants living in Auckland (n=44) and key informants who are involved in disaster risk reduction (n=6). The collected data were thematically analysed separately for each participant group and then compared.

Participants noted vast discrepancies between their expectations of New Zealand before migrating and their reality when living in the host country. Before migrating, they generally believed that Auckland was a safe place and that they would have more opportunities compared to their home countries. However, upon arrival, migrants faced substantial challenges during their resettlement journey, including discrimination, difficulties accessing information and formal services, and finding suitable employment. Importantly, the daily struggles that migrants faced impacted their ability to prioritise and engage with disaster preparedness. Migrants often developed social connections with local people from the same ethnic community as they shared the same language, lifestyle, and collective ethno-cultural identity; this was paramount to maintaining connection with their culture and offsetting the social, economic and cultural challenges they faced. Most migrants appeared to prefer self-reliance and reciprocity within their family and ethnic community nationally and transnationally rather than seeking help from outside their ethnic community. They often used social media platforms and news apps in their home countries to keep informed, noting how English proficiency was a factor of whether, and to what extent, migrants accessed local information, including on hazards and disasters.

Migrants noted how their previous experiences with disasters and government responses in their home countries impacted their expectations in New Zealand and justification for their level of disaster preparedness. Among Indian migrants, they noted how corruption and government apathy would hinder response efforts in India in contrast to perceiving New Zealand’s approach as protecting all of society thereby resulting in strong faith and trust for disaster risk management within New Zealand. In contrast, Chinese migrants generally reported that receiving limited information from New Zealand government authorities contributed to a lack of trust and how this approach differs from China’s more ‘hands on’ approach.

Efforts to increase migrants’ awareness of local hazards and support for disaster preparedness is critical. Migrants generally expressed a willingness to participate in disaster risk reduction efforts, particularly older migrants given their availability and respect of cultural traditions. Given the heterogeneity of migrants and languages spoken, one avenue can be for disaster risk messages to be available in multiple languages. Leveraging social connectedness and developing links with ethnic community organisations was also seen as an important aspect to build trusting relationships and share information.

References

Zhang, C., Le De, L., Charania, N.A. (2021). Transnational migration and disaster risk reduction: Insights from Chinese migrants living in Auckland, New Zealand. Asia Pacific Viewpoint. doi: 10.1111/apv.12309.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/apv.12309?af=R

Rao, V., Le De, L., Charania, N.A. Desi and disasters: Exploring the perspective of Indian migrants towards risk, disaster preparedness and mitigation in New Zealand. (In preparation)