Dysfunction of governmental emergency management system for natural disaster: a case study of Taiwan Xiaolin village

Abstract

Taiwan’s disaster management system failed to demonstrate its effectiveness of emergency response during a tragedy after Typhoon Morakot, a tropical cyclone, hit Taiwan. A mudslide buried the mountain village Xiaolin, killing 491 residents on 9 August 2009. In this incident, the system responded slowly. Rescue crews were unable to reach the wreckage in time. This in-depth case study explores the sources of the dysfunction and the challenges facing the emergency system by tracing the development of the disaster management system and by investigating the constraints on individuals imposed by the bureaucratic logic embedded in the existing political system. The findings indicate that although the system is designed as a temporary organization mobilized upon disastrous situations, it is controlled and commanded by an existing governmental system, which has been long institutionalized by a bureaucratic logic of centralized control and procedural compliance. This entrenched political system requires individuals to comply with the law, plans and even detail guidelines. At the same time, the centralized authority built into the system (with an aim of increasing the efficiency of control) unintentionally discourages empowerment and responsive actions. Finally, this study provides suggestions for improvements of the system.