On 26 January 2001, an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale hit Gujarat state in India, killing 16,000 people and making at least 500,000 people homeless. However, in a similar quake in California in the United States in 1989, only 67 people died. Why was there such a big difference?

In many cases, the death toll and economic losses caused by a disaster can be reduced or averted.

For example, if an earthquake occurs in an uninhabited area or a city built to withstand earthquakes, it is possible that deaths and damage can be averted. Likewise, flooding that recurs every year can improve the fertility of soil, and not necessarily cause deaths or damage to houses and crops. Therefore, strictly speaking, floods and earthquakes are <"http://www.cyberschool.oxfam.org.hk/eng/glossary.php?cod=45" hazards>. The damaging power of disasters depends on the ability of the people or the community to prevent disasters and on their vulnerability to disasters.

Hazard = An occurrence, which is natural or human-caused, that may bring damage or death to a person or society.

In other words, many so-called "disasters" are really hazards because they may be potentially dangerous but not necessarily catastrophic.

3.1 A Hazard is not Necessarily a Disaster

In this picture, the apple, the rock and the pebbles could all be dangerous to the man but not necessarily lead to a disaster. In fact, the man could easily avoid the danger. What do you think the man should do?

Answer:

The man can choose to sit anywhere on the plain that is farther from the foot of the hill. If he does so, even if the rock were to roll down, he might be hit by the rock but wouldn't be crushed by it. Therefore, sitting right at the foot of the hill has made him vulnerable to the danger.


3.2 What is Vulnerability to Disaster?

Vulnerability = Something that diminishes our ability in hazard protection.

Please bear in mind that determining hazards, such as earthquakes and flooding, and vulnerability are both important. Moreover, discovering the potential of people in preventing disasters is critical.

Besides hazard identification, we also have to be aware of the vulnerability to disaster of the affected areas. A formula for disaster is as follows:

Hazard + Vulnerability = Disaster

Relevant Article:

Training Course on Relief Work on Disaster

Disaster & Poverty: The Case of Floods in Bangladesh

5.1 Teaching Plan

Classwork & Discussion: An In-depth Look at Floods in Bangladesh

Classwork & Discussion: Look for Hazards in the Picture