1. Turning Disasters Into Peacemaking Opportunities Chapter 7

2. Defining Natural and “Un-Natural” Disasters No place on Earth is immune to natural disasters. Natural disasters are often the product of hydrological, geological, or meteorological events. A combination of human-related factors including ecosystem destruction, climate change and population growth have been part of the cause of “un” natural disasters An Un Natural disaster is a natural disturbance made worse by human activities. Coral destruction on coastline allowed waves to become more powerful when they hit land.

3. The Connection Between Disasters and Conflicts This chapter talks about why some disasters do not bring peace makers or help. Some disasters are too small or have a slow onset do not grab the drama necessary to grab the worlds attention for intervention and help. Some disasters such as drought do not attract the peacemaking abilities that would by a hurricane or tsunami

4. Storm Clouds and Silver Linings Natural disasters both rapid and slow onset such as floods and droughts can undermine livelihoods and compromise human security. May trigger social conflicts as well Disasters create heavy economic tolls on the countries hit by natural disasters In divided societies, conflicts may arise if relief is seen as a tool for favors to a group or community. Resettlement post disasters may also create conflicts between feuding groups. Disasters may create new conflicts in the midst of peacekeeping operations

5. Aceh: Breaking the Logjam Post-Tsunami Aceh stated peacemaking operations to end the 30 year conflict Political centralization and exploitation of natural resources stated and remain at the center of conflict Humanitarian effort in Aceh after the 2004 tsunami kick started efforts to remove military influence in the government and the conflict. An August 2005 peace agreement with Aceh included human rights, amnesty, reintegration, security, economy and political participation. Enabled the government have more freedom.

6. Sri Lanka: Neither War Nor Peace Sri Lanka was torn in half by civil war until 1983 until a cease fire was reached The cease fire however was focused on only two groups of the country instead of all, including the Buddhist and Muslim parties Post Tsunami called for national unity and started cooperation from all groups. Rifts between LTTE ( Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) and the governing party were not forgotten. A Post Tsunami Operational Management Structure in 2005 brought together the fighting groups plus others to reconcile and bring their country together from the Tsunami

7. Humanitarian and Environmental Peacekeeping Humanitarian efforts must be transformed into political change by addressing the base of conflicts and creating tasks to change conflict to peace Environmental restoration after disasters is important because it aids a vulnerable ecosystem which has been weakened during a natural disaster Peacekeeping operations are one of a kind. They either aid in the change from conflict to peace or they can deepen the conflict between feuding societies