Correspondence: On the emergence of complex disasters

Dear Editors, The response to our initial letter produced useful debate (Kelly, Disasters 20(3): 276–7). In particular, Kelly’s further analysis of the phases of a disaster and his rejection of the concept of complex disasters deserve critical comment. Over the last year we have again been involved in evaluations of disaster assistance in the Caucasus, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and Mozambique. We have also examined the functional operation of the UN system with the intention of improving capacity for pre-disaster planning and rehabilitation: this involved interviewing arange of key actors in Europe and North America. Our tentative analysis is offered below.