The 16th Annual Conference of the International Society for Integrated Disaster Risk Management (IDRiM Society) was held in Bali, Indonesia, from 5 to 9 September 2026. Associate Researchers Qiushan Li and Xiaolong Luo of the Sichuan University–The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction (IDMR) presented their research on long-term disaster recovery and emergency shelter safety, sharing insights grounded in China’s disaster management experience with international colleagues.
Dr Li’s presentation examined long-term recovery and resilient development following major earthquakes, extending the focus from rapid reconstruction to the sustainable development of disaster-affected regions. Addressing the shared international goal of “Build Back Better,” Dr Li emphasised the importance of integrating long-term evaluation throughout recovery and reconstruction, with sustained attention to economic development, the environment, social wellbeing, cultural identity, and safety and resilience. This perspective connects reconstruction with improvements in residents’ lives and local sustainable development, bringing insights from China to international discussions on the lasting impacts of disasters and the policies needed to support recovery.
Dr Luo’s presentation explored the “false safety” paradox of emergency shelters under complex disaster scenarios, raising a critical question: can designated shelters effectively protect people when disaster strikes? Shelters that appear safe and have sufficient capacity under normal conditions may become difficult to reach or unable to provide adequate support because of secondary hazards, restricted road access, or reduced service capacity. The presentation emphasised that shelter planning must account for conditions during a disaster, particularly whether residents can reach shelters safely and whether facilities can continue to provide essential services. These insights offer practical guidance for improving shelter locations, resource allocation, and local capacity for safe evacuation and sheltering.
From immediate protection during disasters to long-term development after reconstruction, the two presentations shared a concern with how disaster risk governance can better address people’s safety and development needs. By bringing questions grounded in Chinese practice into international academic dialogue, they highlighted IDMR’s research focus on disaster risk reduction and post-disaster recovery.
