What is a natural disaster? When it is natural, it is not man made. Therefore a natural disaster is a catastrophic event which is caused by the natural processes in nature or the natural processes of the earth.
Disasters have a huge effect on people and causes great damage, destruction, and often loss of life.
Ms Jen’s Jyugyou in her video discusses and explain nine natural disasters which are: 1. Wildfire (Bushfire, Forest fire) 2. Flood 3. Drought 4. Earthquake 5. Tsunami 6. Hurricane (Cyclone, Typhoon) 7. Tornado (Twister) 8. Volcanic Eruptions 9. Avalanche (Snowslide) / Landslide (Mudslide)
Millions of people are affected by natural disasters every year, and their impact can be calamitous. Developed countries are better prepared to handle the impact of disasters as well as the aftermath. In developing or under developed countries, natural disasters trap people in a cycle of poverty because they do not have the resources to rebuild their homes and meet other basic needs, making them less able to recover in the long run. Certain factors present in poverty environments (such as poorly constructed buildings, poor sanitation systems, rapid population growth/high density population, limited resources for disaster response and rebuilding, lack of economic safety nets) will turn a natural hazard into a major disaster.
According to Childfund, the major impact of Natural Disasters on humans are:
Health Risks
Aside from the obvious immediate danger that natural disasters present, the secondary effects can be just as damaging. Severe flooding can result in stagnant water that allows breeding of waterborne bacteria and malaria-carrying mosquitos. Without emergency relief from international aid organizations and others, death tolls can rise even after the immediate danger has passed.
Displaced Populations
One of the most immediate effects of natural disasters is population displacement. When countries are ravaged by earthquakes or other powerful forces of nature, many people have to abandon their homes and seek shelter in other regions. A large influx of refugees can disrupt accessibility of health care and education, as well as food supplies and clean water.
Food Scarcity
After natural disasters, food often becomes scarce. Thousands of people around the world go hungry as a result of destroyed crops and loss of agricultural supplies, whether it happens suddenly in a storm or gradually in a drought. As a result, food prices rise, reducing families’ purchasing power and increasing the risk of severe malnutrition or worse. The impacts of hunger following an earthquake, typhoon or hurricane can be tremendous, causing lifelong damage to children’s development.
Emotional Aftershocks
Natural disasters can be particularly traumatic for young children. Confronted with scenes of destruction and the deaths of friends and loved ones, many children develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a serious psychological condition resulting from extreme trauma. Left untreated, children suffering from PTSD can be prone to lasting psychological damage and emotional distress.
