The never ending road to recovery MSc thesis to the long term recovery process after the Armero Tragedy, 1985. The never ending road to recovery Hananja Kruft 911209482040 Wageningen University and Research Centre Sociology of Development and Change – Disaster Studies Chairgroup Supervisor: Gemma van de Haar September 2017 Front page image: Workers attempting to rescue Omayra Sanchez, a 13 years old girl, blocked by debris in putrid waters, following the landslide that wiped her Colombian town Armero from the face of the earth after the eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz. Omayras’s legs were caught under a door made of bricks, with her aunt's body under her feet. Lacking the surgical conditions to save her from the effects of an amputation, the doctors agreed that it would be more humane to let her die. Omayra became a symbol of the tragedy. (Photo: Frank Fournier, World Press Photo, retrieved from: https://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photo/1986/spot-news/frank-fournier) ii Vengo de recorrer el sufrimiento vengo de sentir el dolor vengo de compartir triste lamento vengo desde muy lejos y vengo a hablar con Dios Perdón Señor si te pregunto donde estabas aquella noche que volteaste la miraba no quisiste mirar hacia mi pueblo se lo llevó el dolor y el sufrimiento no quisiste voltear hacia mi pueblo se lo llevó el dolor triste tormento Aquel Armero del pasado ya no existe Nieves eternas se llevaron sus recuerdos ya no existe el camino tan solo se oye el eco el bastón y los pasos del abuelo Y vengo a recordar aquella noche noche de llanto, de tristezas y nostalgia niños y viejos, cayerón a tus plantas se fueron para siempre Señor, en dónde estabas? iii Abstract Long term recovery (LTR) from natural disasters is a relatively under- developed area of disaster management research, where the emphasis has concentrated on disaster planning and mitigation. The aim of this research has been to examine the long term recovery process of the survivors of the Armero Tragedy, 1985. In doing so, this thesis includes subjective perceptions of well-being into the general debate about recovery, since current understanding neglects the meaning people attribute to their recovery. It finds recovery to be ‘wishful thinking’ (Hilhorst et al., 2017), with life changes and struggles for recovery still being observable more than thirty years after the event. Respondents evaluate their situation on a unique set of expectations, values and previous experiences (Diener, 2006), which makes it impossible to compare results of recovery with one another. In general, external activities and aid are perceived as barely supportive of recovery, but people play the key role in recovering their lives. Keywords: long term recovery, well-being, natural disasters, Armero iv “Dedicado a todos que siguen en la lucha con convicción y perseverancia” v Acknowledgements After a MSC- thesis writing journey of more than a year, I can hardly believe that you are finally holding this piece of paper in your hand. While for you it might feel like a regular thesis; one out of many others, for me these pages represent not only a very special year for me but also an extremely precious collection of stories for everyone. My time in Colombia has been full of new experiences: a new country, a new language, having an extended ‘luna de miel’ with the love of my life, new friends and many new insights –both personally and professionally. Nevertheless, I would be lying if I would say that the process hasn’t had its ups and downs; I am indeed feeling excited to finally having finalized the output. While this journey comes to an end for me, the stories collected in this thesis do not. Not only will the process of recovery continue in the lives of the survivors of the Armero Tragedy, but I can promise you that when you read it carefully and softly, the stories will have a lasting impact on you too. I would therefore like to warmly invite you to not skip or simply scan the quotes presented in this work, but give them the highest priority while reading the thesis. They deserve it. There are a few people that I must thank for their help, support and thoughts; they graciously allowed me to interrupt their schedules to facilitate my field work and I owe them a great debt of gratitude. First of all, Sjoerd, my whole heart of gratitude goes to you. Thank you so much for your willingness to come with me and go on this adventure together. I feel that this is not only my work, but yours too. My parents: to whom I owe everything. I also want to thank my new Colombian family without whom Ibagué would not have been the same. We are still touched by the way you made us part of your family. Also big thanks to our parceros Jessica and Oscar, for being our friends, guides, drivers, translators, problem-solvers and teachers: we will meet soon. Muchas gracias por todo: tu ayuda, tu paciencia y las sonrisa. Me alegra haber hecho una familia Colombiana como usted. Of major importance to the success of our effort was the information and assistance provided by Teresa from the STREVA project. Thank you for generously sharing your experience and information, providing me a perfect start with all the contact persons. I am obliged to my supervisor Gemma van Haar for her support, feedback, trust and flexibility during the whole process of writing my thesis. You provided me with the motivation and analysis I needed in times of brain-hardship. Most of all, I want to thank all my informants for letting me be part of their lives and sharing their stories. Alinda, Gonzales, Claudia, Dagoberto, Deysi, Doris, Amparo, Edilma, Esperanza, Etelbina, Alvaro, Francia, Fransisco, Freddy, Henry, Javier, José, Lidia, Ligia, Magda, Omaira, Patricia, Carmen, Neftaly, Eduardo, Jorge, Juana & Beatriz, dear Armeritas, thank you for your openness, honesty and the tears that we have cried together. You showed me braveness and human strength. You made this thesis not only an academic work, but a story that needed to be told. I hope I made you proud. Hananja Kruft Wageningen University, 2017 vi Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................................................................iv Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................................................................................vi Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................................ vii List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................................................... ix Abbrevations ....................................................................................................................................................................... x 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Case study: Armero Tragedy ..................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Set up of the thesis ......................................................................................................................................... 3 2. Theoretical framework .......................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Introduction to Disaster Recovery .......................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Progression of Disaster Recovery Research ........................................................................................ 8 2.3 Defining and measuring disaster recovery ....................................................................................... 11 2.3.1 Inclusion of subjective well- being ............................................................................................. 13 2.4 Barriers to social recovery ...................................................................................................................... 16 2.5 Concluding comments ............................................................................................................................... 18 3. Methodology and Research Approach ........................................................................................................ 21 3.1 Research Objective and Questions ....................................................................................................... 21 3.2 Research strategy and methods ............................................................................................................ 22 3.3 Research site and population ................................................................................................................. 23 3.4 Data Collection .............................................................................................................................................. 24 3.5 Analysis of data ............................................................................................................................................ 26 3.6 Position of researcher ..............................................................................................................................