Understanding disaster

Whoever we are and wherever we live in the world, we all have to deal with events or situations that could result in loss or injury. But there is a lot that we can do to reduce the risk of these events, or hazards, turning into disasters.

Hazards and disasters are closely related, but are not the same.

A hazard is an extreme event such as an earthquake, flood, drought, landslide, cyclone or wildfire. These are often known as natural hazards. Hazards caused by people include conflict, inter-community violence and industrial accidents. 

Some hazards occur suddenly, for example earthquakes. Others, such as drought, develop more slowly over weeks or months. 

The impacts of some natural hazards are made worse by human activity. For example, when trees are removed from hillsides, heavy rain may cause a landslide. And if rivers and drainage channels are blocked by solid waste such as plastic, they are more likely to flood. Many weather-related hazards, such as cyclones, floods and drought, are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.

A disaster occurs when a hazard affects people who are vulnerable to it in some way, and who are unable to cope with its impact. Disasters cause great distress and destruction.

Vulnerability is determined by many different things including age, sex, ethnicity, health, emotional wellbeing, financial resources, housing, geographical location, and access to public services, education and opportunity.

For example, poverty, conflict or inequality may cause people to live in poor-quality housing in a low-lying coastal area, making them vulnerable to storms and flooding. But if they are able to move to better housing on higher ground, this will reduce their vulnerability and the likelihood of the storm causing a disaster.

People living in poverty are often particularly vulnerable to disaster. And they may have to deal with multiple hazards at the same time, or in quick succession, making it increasingly difficult for them to change their situation.

Mitigation

There is a lot that can be done to reduce the risk of hazards leading to disaster. When medium- to long-term action is taken in advance, often based on previous experience, this is known as mitigation.

Some actions can be taken by communities without outside help. Other actions may need support from local authorities or other organisations.

Mitigation activities must be carefully planned to deal with the type of hazard likely in that area. Examples include:

• building flood protection embankments and barriers to prevent landslides
• improving drainage to take storm water away quickly and safely
• building earthquake- or flood-resistant housing
• planting trees, particularly on steep slopes to reduce rainwater run‑off, or in coastal areas to reduce storm damage
• growing crops that are more resistant to drought or floods
• peacebuilding and reconciliation to reduce future conflict

Advocacy work aims to address the underlying causes of disasters by influencing key decision-makers at all levels to develop policies that support people in poverty and reduce their vulnerability. Churches and other organisations can help people to organise themselves, make their needs clear and start demanding better services and support.

Preparedness

When communities take action to reduce the impact of expected hazards in the short term, this is called preparedness.

Preparedness activities might include:

• early warning systems
• first aid training
• practising what to do in different types of emergencies
• developing plans to evacuate people and livestock to safer areas, including identifying people who may need additional help
• training volunteers in search-and-rescue methods
• building storm or flood shelters
• keeping small stocks of emergency materials such as plastic sheets and dry food
• developing local leadership and networking so people work together well in a disaster situation

Communities often have their own resources that can be used in times of crisis, but these resources must be available and accessible in an emergency.

Learning from disaster

Disasters are terrible for those involved, and it is important to learn from them to try to reduce the risk of them happening again.

Disasters can bring a sense of urgency and strengthen political commitment for change. This is particularly important as the world faces the growing impact of climate change.