URBAN DISASTERS

Humanitarian
Coalition

An urban disaster is a hazard that threatens a

state and its population and economy. In contrast to
other forms of disaster, the urban hazard endangers
the lives and livelihood of a population within a
confined geographical location, and comprises other
forms of disasters. As a result, we find that a
natural (e.g. hurricanes, earthquakes and
tsunamis), technological (e.g. engineering,
chemical or biological) or anthropogenic disaster
(e.g. war, terrorism and civil disorder) may become
an urban disaster if such take place in an urban
setting.

Higher Risks:
As the worlds population concentrates in
cities and disasters hit undetermined areas
we are seeing an that disasters and risk are
becoming urbanized. The population growth is
mostly taking place in urban settings of lowincome and middle income nations, where
poverty not only enables underdevelopment
and a lack of protective infrastructure.

Continued
It is not a coincidence that the past fourteen
years have produced urban disasters throughout
different cities in low- income nations in our world.
Not only do they have deep-rooted problems such
as poverty, government, healthcare and lifestandards inefficiency, but are unable to move
forwards on their own, i.e. without the contributions
or involvement of international donors.

Difference between a natural and an urban

disaster
Natural Valley Magazine

FEMA

A Two Folded Problem

The impacts may vary by country, but the gravity
is determined in a considerable manner on prior
development choices. However, a rush to develop
also increases risks of haphazard in an urban setting
during a disaster. An urban geographical local that is
great in size and fragmentation can create difficulties
in planning, coordination of efforts and mitigation in
the face of a disaster.