Classification of Disasters

Questions and Answers

What are natural disasters?

A natural phenomenon caused by natural forces, which can be classified as rapid onset disasters and progressive onset disasters.

What are man-made disasters?

Disasters caused by identifiable intentional or non-intentional human actions.

Which of the following are categories of man-made disasters? (Select all that apply)

Complex humanitarian emergencies (correct)

Natural disasters

Technological/industrial disasters (correct)

Terrorism/Violence (correct)

What is a technological/industrial disaster?

A disaster resulting from unregulated industrialization and inadequate safety standards. Signup and view all the answers

What does terrorism/violence refer to?

The threat of terrorism, which has increased due to the spread of technologies involving nuclear, biological, and chemical agents. Signup and view all the answers

What is a complex humanitarian emergency?

A humanitarian emergency resulting from international or civil war, displacing large numbers of people. Signup and view all the answers

What is risk?

The combination of the probability of an event and its negative consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What does disaster risk refer to?

The potential losses in lives, health status, livelihoods, and services that could occur in a specified future time period. Signup and view all the answers

What is exposure in the context of disasters?

The elements at risk from a natural or man-made hazard event. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hazard?

A potentially dangerous physical occurrence or human activity that may result in loss of life or injury. Signup and view all the answers

What is vulnerability?

The condition determined by physical, social, economic, and environmental factors that increase susceptibility to hazard impacts. Signup and view all the answers

Match the phases of a disaster with their descriptions:

Response = Decrease morbidity, mortality, and property damage after a disaster. Recovery = Actions taken to return to normal after a disaster. Mitigation/prevention = Reduce the negative consequences of a disaster or decrease the probability of it happening. Preparation = Plan, train & educate for events that cannot be prevented. Signup and view all the answers

Which are the impacts of disasters? (Select all that apply)

Physical Signup and view all the answers

What are physical impacts of disasters?

Impacts on buildings, structures, physical property, and infrastructure. Signup and view all the answers

What are environmental impacts of disasters?

Impacts on water, land, crops, and wildlife, among others. Signup and view all the answers

What are social impacts of disasters?

Impacts on life, health, employment, relations, and community security. Signup and view all the answers

What are economic impacts of disasters?

Impacts on assets, income, and overall economic stability. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Natural Disasters

Caused by natural phenomena; can be rapid or progressive.
Examples include earthquakes (rapid onset) and droughts (progressive onset).
Sudden events can have severe consequences on communities.

Man-Made Disasters

Result from identifiable human actions, either intentional or unintentional.
Include a range of incidents affecting people and environments.

Categories of Man-Made Disasters

Technological/Industrial Disasters
- Caused by unregulated industrial practices and insufficient safety standards.
Terrorism/Violence
- Heightened by the proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical technologies.
Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
- Occur amidst civil or international conflicts, leading to mass displacement and disrupted basic services.

Risk

Defined as the probability of an event coupled with its potential negative impact.
Often associated with human capacity to manage or cope with hazards.

Disaster Risk

Reflects potential disaster losses in terms of lives, health, and community resources.
Result of the intersection of hazards and community vulnerabilities.

Exposure

Refers to elements (people, property, livelihoods) at risk from hazards.

Hazard

A potentially dangerous occurrence or activity leading to loss or damage.
Includes natural events and human activities that cause disruption.

Vulnerability

Determined by factors impacting a community’s susceptibility to hazards.
Encompasses physical, social, economic, and environmental dimensions.

Phases of a Disaster

Response: Immediate actions post-disaster to reduce harm and damage.
Recovery: Efforts aimed at restoring normalcy in the aftermath of a disaster.
Mitigation/Prevention: Strategies to lessen disaster impacts or prevent occurrences.
Preparation: Planning and training to handle unavoidable events.

Impacts of Disasters

Physical Impacts: Damage to buildings, infrastructure, and property.
Environmental Impacts: Effects on ecosystems, soil, water sources, and natural habitats.
Social Impacts: Consequences on human health, relationships, and community security.
Economic Impacts: Effects on financial resources, income, commerce, and production systems.

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Description

Explore the definitions and classifications of natural and man-made disasters in this engaging quiz. Understand the critical differences between rapid onset and progressive onset disasters, and how human actions can influence disaster outcomes. Test your knowledge and learn more about the impact of these events on society.