IMPACT OF DISASTERS

What is Disaster? Disaster could be termed as a loss both in man and material which is
sudden in nature and its impact on the affected community is such that it jeopardizes the
normal functioning of the daily life. The occurred losses are such that additional
resources and efforts are required to normalize the life. As per Intemational Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Disaster is defined as " A disaster is a sudden,
calamitous event that seriously disrupts the functioning of a community or society and
causes human, material, and economic or environmental losses that exceed the
community's or society's ability to cope using its own resources. Though often caused by
nature, disasters can have human origins"
 Disaster affect

a Impact on Human Life

b.Impact on Economy
c. Impact on Ecology and Environment
d.Psychological Impacts
e.Social Impact
f.Health Impacts
 Impact on human Life.
No loss and damage-related activity can be considered a disaster.Unless it directly affects people. Humanity is the
most vulnerable community on earth and is vulnerable to all types of danger and hazard. In order to counteract and
lessen the effects of these hazards, humans are evolving. Any loss, whether it involves the loss of human life or that of
livestock or other property, directly affects people. Man cannot live alone because he is a social animal. Smaller
groups came together to form communities, and as those communities expanded, they gave rise to cosmopolitan
cities. Additional effects on human life include the following:
 Loss of Human Life.

• The worst damage of a disaster is the loss of human life. All the property and
households can be recouped with passage of time or with assistance of other
communities/ donors but life is such a precious thing that its replacement cannot be
done. The loosing of a family member has far more lasting bad memories and impacts
as compare to any other loss. This leads to social and psychological issues that affect
the recovery phase and lengthens the rehabilitation phase.
Loss of Livelihood

• including Households and Property. One of the immediate impact indicators that
define the severity of a disaster is the loss of livelihoods of the inhabitants. The earnings
of whole life is just washed away in few moments and it affects badly on recovery phase
too.
Education.

• Disaster means the complete destruction of not only personal life routine but it also
affect on the education badly. Either schools are destructed or if not, these are used to
house displaced people. in any case, continuity of education is not there.
 Impact on Economy.

• The term defines that any calamity which is beyond capability of local community. It
means that sources of income are meager and opportunities to invest and flourish the
business are remote. Rather focus is more recovery than on prosperity. The economy
indicators have to be change and new indicators has to be placed. Though there is a
vast requirement of everything but priorities would make it difficult to divert resources
on economic and business activities as foremost requirement is to provide immediate
relief assistance to the victims.
Impact on Ecology and Environment.

• The immediate affect a disaster makes is the change of ecology and environment of the
affected area. Some new geological features like lakes can be formed which disturbs the
ecological and environmental balance of the area. Destruction of roads, buildings and
other infrastructure has its impact on the ecology and environment beside economic
impacts.
 Psychological Impact.

• Disaster completely changes the way of looking at life. Loss of human life and
livelihoods, displacement from ancestors land, discontinuation of education, misery of
fellow ones and lack of economic opportunities are few factors which deepens the
psychological impact of a disaster. Disaster are known in history by the scale of
destruction and losses it resulted.
Social Impacts.

• Disaster badly hampers the social life of the victims. Living inTemporarily Displaced
People (TDPs)/internally displaced Peoples (DPs) camp has manysocial ills. Social fibre
of a family is shattered badly if someone from the family had been aloss coupled with
sharing accommodation with others. Upbringing in camps is always associated with
some stigma and adjustment in society and community in normal manner is very
difficult for this segment.
 Health Impacts.

• As basic infrastructure of healthcare is destroyed as a result of a disaster which

coupled with poor hygiene and lack of access to basic needs adversely affects the
victims. More of the deaths are reported after the immediate impact of a disaster due to
health related issues. More precious lives can be saved if immediate health attention is
also given to the victims. Permanent injury or loss of some limbs as results of disaster
would also accentuate the problem.