DRRM ♡ Disaster

Disaster

• disruption of the functioning of a community or a society

• involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses

• exceeds the ability of the community to cope using its own resources

Characteristics

• Disruption

• Widespread

• Exceeds the ability

Disaster Risk

• refers to the potential loss of life, injury, or destroyed/damaged assets

• could occur to a system, society, or community within a specific period

Types of Disasters

• Geological

• Hydrological

• Meteorological

Geological Disasters

• earthquakes

• volcanic eruptions

• landslides

• tsunamis

Hydrological Disasters

• floods

• droughts

• storm surge

Meteorological Disasters

• cyclone, typhoon, hurricane

• tornadoes

• heatwave

• blizzards

• ice storms

cyclone

general term for a large storm system with strong winds

typhoon

forms in the Northwest Pacific Ocean (near Asia)

hurricane

forms in the North Atlantic Ocean or Northeast Pacific (near the Americas)

Effects of Disasters

• People

• Infrastructure

• Environment

• Economy

People

• loss of life, injury, and disease

• effects on human well-being

  • psychological trauma, displacement, loss of livelihoods, & food insecurity

• increased vulnerability of marginalized groups

Infrastructure

• damage to property & destruction of assets

  • homes, buildings, roads, bridges, & power lines

• loss of services

  • (electricity, water, sanitation)

• collapse of substandard buildings

Environment

• environmental degradation

  • deforestation, soil erosion, & loss of biodiversity

• water, land, and air pollution

• disruption of natural resources

Economy

• economic losses

• impact on national and household economies

• increased poverty

• disruption of supply chains

Disaster Perspectives

Physical, Psychological, Sociocultural, Economic, Political, & Biological

Physical Perspective

• damage to buildings, roads, and power lines

• injuries and deaths

• loss of homes and public infrastructure

• visible and direct impact

Psychological Perspective

• focuses on the mental and emotional impact

  • on individuals and communities

• trauma and stress

• disruption of routines and sense of security

• coping mechanisms

Sociocultural Perspective

• breaks social relationships and routines

• affects traditions and cultural practices

• communities may come together to help

• shows unity or division in society

Economic Perspective

• loss of jobs and businesses

• damage to farms, shops, factories

• stops trade and daily work

• long-term poverty and recovery costs

Political Perspective

• tests government response and leadership

• may change laws and disaster plans

• affects public trust in leaders

• can lead to new policies and funding

Biological Perspective

• increases risk of disease and outbreaks

• dirty water or poor hygiene after disaster

• overcrowding in shelters spreads illness

• weakens public health systems