Integrating Music into Natural Disaster Recovery

Abstract The present research aims to highlight the value of incorporating music into natural disaster recovery toward the ultimate goal of better addressing human losses, economic damages, emotional/psychological struggles, and communal/cultural impacts resulting from natural disasters. Qualitative content analysis is the main methodology applied. Music therapy approaches are compared with ethnographic/ethnomusicological approaches at the personal, national, and international levels. The key finding is that the field needs to supplement music therapy approaches with ethnographic/ethnomusicological approaches to aid the recovery of disaster victims, while embracing a multidisciplinary approach, natural disaster management, human connectivity through music, sustainability, education, and training and exercise. This research contributes toward a comprehensive evaluation of not only the benefits but also the shortcomings of the above two approaches.