A natural disaster is any calamity caused by events originating at the Earth’s surface or within its interior that produce great loss of life and destruction of the environment and property. Unlike human-caused catastrophes such as war or combat, natural disasters are unavoidable and unpredictable and can affect all regions of the world.
The number of deaths caused by natural disasters varies significantly. Large disasters, such as earthquakes or tsunamis, can have a devastating impact, with hundreds of thousands of people killed and many more injured. Smaller events, such as tornadoes or floods, typically kill far fewer people, but are still very destructive.
Natural disasters have a direct impact on the health and well-being of populations, leading to damage to food production and water systems, and loss of shelter. They also cause negative economic effects. The global average annual economic loss from natural disasters is approximately US$366 billion (CRED, 2012).
There are different types of natural disasters:
Geophysical Disasters — These events are caused by the movement and behavior of the Earth itself, such as earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. Climate Disasters — These events are influenced by the global climate system and include storms, droughts, heat waves, and wildfires.
The impact of natural disasters on the health and well-being of affected communities is extensive, ranging from loss of life to mental illness. Survivors may suffer from anxiety, constant worrying and depression-like symptoms that persist during and after a disaster. In addition, they may experience physical injuries or loss of their homes and other valuables.
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