Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, landslides and volcanic eruptions affect the lives of many people each year. The damage they cause often results in loss of life and property, and leads to massive disruptions for those affected. They may also have serious health consequences for victims, including PTSD, major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders. They are a result of both nature’s processes and human activity. Developing countries are most at risk of suffering from such events. They often lack efficient communication systems and a proper support system for disaster risk reduction and response.
It is important to understand the difference between a natural event and a disaster. Defining something as a natural disaster euphemistically suggests it is inevitable and out of our control, while a disaster is anything that overwhelms a highly vulnerable community with a catastrophic hazard. It can be difficult to identify the causes of a natural disaster, but it is crucial to recognize that not all natural hazards have the same effect on society and that the development of a hazard into a disaster is mediated by its location and social and economic conditions.
The first stage of the disaster management cycle is prevention. Strong analytical skills are necessary to identify potential threats and hazards, as well as high-risk areas. During this phase, the disaster-management leader must develop strategies and structural changes to mitigate and lessen the severity of a catastrophe. Disaster-management leaders must also educate community members to prepare for natural disasters.