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Disaster
We always refer to events causing serious casualties or economic losses as ˇ§disasters.ˇ¨ However, according to modern disaster management, there is a strict definition for ˇ§disaster.ˇ¨ The occurrence of a ˇ§disasterˇ¨ depends on the co-existence of ˇ§hazardsˇ¨ and ˇ§vulnerabilities to disasters.ˇ¨
However, a lot of international service organizations, or even relief organizations, have different understandings of ˇ§disaster.ˇ¨ For instance, the United Nations will only consider events causing over 10 deaths or at least 100 injured or affected people to be ˇ§disasters.ˇ¨
Over the past four decades, both the frequency and severity of disasters around the world has increased significantly. In the 1960s, there were only 16 catastrophes recorded globally; in the 70s, there were 29; and in the 80s, 70. During this period, economic losses caused by disasters have increased from USD 10 billion to more than USD 93 billion. Such alarming figures are indeed closely related to the increasing global population and human activities, which have led to a lot of disasters, directly or indirectly.
Related concepts:
Hazards
Vulnerabilities to disasters
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