Response to natural disasters: opportunities for theoretical and applied rural sociology

Indicates four areas related to the response to natural disasters of potential interest to rural sociologists: stratification and poverty, community organization, institutional organization, and rural development. The comments are illustrated by a brief analysis of the situation of persons affected by an earthquake that struck Ecuador in 1987, and are based upon participation with a US-based private voluntary organization in the planning and implementation of earthquake recovery and reconstruction projects. -from Author