Let’s Learn about Disasters

Nature is the source of life
  We human beings are a part of nature, and our quality of life depends on all the living things that share this planet with us. We must take care of nature, because our well-being depends on it.
  Nature is always moving and changing. This happens in different ways, for instance through natural phenomena that occur quite regularly, such as rain, winds, earth tremors or the natural processes of soil erosion.
  Earthquakes, floods, fires, volcanic eruptions, tropical storms, tornadoes, electric storms, landslides, droughts, plagues and other phenomena such as “El Niño” and “La
Niña” are a part of nature, just like the sun and the rain.
  These natural phenomena affect almost the entire Earth. In olden times, people used to come with legends to explain these phenomena. They would say the volcano was angry, or that the gods were demanding a sacrifice. Today, science, technology and history help us to understand these events instead of merely fearing them. However, such phenomena still turn into disasters, affecting lots of people in every corner of our planet where a culture of
prevention has not

What is a Disaster? 

   A disaster takes place when the following three conditions occur at the same time: When people live in hazardous places like, for example, close to an active volcano, on unstable slopes where landslides are likely to happen, or close to rivers which could flood. When a hazardous phenomenon occurs, be it natural or human-made. When the phenomenon also causes a lot of damage, especially where no preventive measures have been taken. 

Are disasters caused by people or by nature?

  Natural phenomena can sometimes strike very hard and cause disasters if preventive measures have not been taken or if some human activities have harmed the natural environment or upset the balance of the ecosystem.

  For instance, too much water that the soil is unable to absorb can cause floods, while too little water in some regions can lead to drought. But people can make the situation worse, for example when trees are chopped down and no new ones are planted. This makes the soil very dry and dusty, which can lead to erosion. When the rains come, there are not enough roots and vegetation to bind the soil together, and a landslide can occur.

  Most wildfires are caused directly or indirectly by people. Farmers, for example, sometimes burn their fields to get rid of weeds before planting, and the fire can get out of control. Sometimes people are careless with cigarettes or forget to put out bonfires when they go camping. A little spark is

sometimes all it takes to start a fire. If we destroy parts of nature such as coral reefs, forests, or fragile mountain plants, we are destroying the natural barriers that protect us from tsunamis, drought, landslides, floods and other hazards.

What is Disaster Prevention and Mitigation?

    Prevention and mitigation are all those actions we can take to make sure that a disaster doesn't happen or, if it does happen, that it doesn't cause as much harm as it could. W can't stop most natural phenomena happening but we can reduce the damage caused by an earthquake if we build stronger

houses and on solid ground. What is prevention? Taking measures in order to avoid an event turning into a disaster. Planting trees, for example, prevents erosion and landslides. It can also prevent drought. What is mitigation? Measures that reduce vulnerability to certain hazards. For instance, there are building techniques that ensure that our houses, schools or hospitals will not be knocked down by an earthquake or a hurricane.

Prevention and mitigation begin with:

  Knowing which hazards and risks we are exposed to in our community.

  Getting together with our family and our neighbours and making plans to reduce those hazards and risks and to avoid them harming us.

  Actually doing what we planned to do in order to reduce our vulnerability. Taking action, not just talking.

REFERENCE: https://www.unisdr.org/files/2114_VL108012.pdf