The Prevention Of Natural Disasters

natural disasters). Gallup et al. (2003, pp.41, 46) have estimated that natural disasters in Latin America over the last 30 years have cost up to $3.3 billion and in extreme disasters costs can reach 10 per cent of a country’s GDP. This, coupled with the fact that they suffer regularly from natural disasters due to their location, means that they find it harder to recover from them. The destruction of crops causes vast economic loss which cannot be regained as farmers rely on monoculture. Furthermore, many buildings in developing countries are often built from weak materials which causes mass destruction and costly re-construction which these countries cannot afford.

There are numerous points of view on resiliency, as non‑governmental associations (NGOs) perceive that individuals ' capacity to better withstand and recuperate from calamities is basic to maintaining improvement. NGOs, contributors and worldwide reaction groups are attempting to characterize resiliency in their terms. CRS characterizes resiliency as "the capacity of people, communities and institutions to advance integral human development in the face of shocks, cycles and trends" (2014, p.2). The vulnerable individuals themselves best characterize strength and resiliency. What vulnerable individuals accept helps most to their versatility limit is discriminating to current dialogs on resiliency. Contributors and NGOs may have their own meaning of the term; however, an understanding of what it really means to individuals looking to make their community resilient is crucial to outlining successful Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and recovery activities in development, risk reaction and catastrophe recuperation programs (CRS, 2014). The danger of not utilizing the

Resilience, fundamentally, is the ability to bounce back from hardship and the phenomenon of overcoming stress or adversity, for example: personal crises, poverty, mental illness and trauma (Occupational Health & Wellbeing, 2012). This skill can help individuals overcome the most difficult of situations (Occupational Health & Wellbeing, 2012). Resilience theorists generally agree that the presence of protective factors can reduce the effects of exposure to adversity. The more protective factors (or “assets”) available, the more resilient a person will be. Protective factors are conditions or attributes that help people deal more effectively with stressful events and eliminate risk. On the contrary, risk factors are attributes or characteristics

Resilience is a term that is often applied to those who have faced hardship and viewed the experience in a positive light as an opportunity to grow and change for the better (Wagnild & Collins, 2009). The definition however seems to vary from place to place. Ungar et al. (2008) stated “definitions of resilience are ambiguous when viewed across cultures" (p.174) which is why the understanding of resilience may be difficult to capture (as cited in Windle, Bennett & Noyes, 2011). Although the literature agrees on several common themes about resilience there are many varying opinions on how to define the concept or the attributing factors. Earvolino-Ramirez (2007) and

Scholars define resilience as the outcome of successful adaptation to adversity (Zutra, Hall, & Murray, 2010). Resilience is the ability to recover from adversities challenges in a manner that leaves an individual more flexible and better able to meet future challenges. Resilience involves an ability to react creatively and constructively to change while recognizing that change is an ongoing part of life (Mikail, 2014). Zutra and Hall identify two core dimensions of resilience:

Resilience has been topic that we have learned and are discussing in my English class. When you can overcome hardships faster and easier when you are more resilient person. We have been analyzing an article called “The Science of Bouncing Back” by Mandy Oaklander. Oaklander discusses methods of many people on their experience, becoming a more resilient person. People respond to emotion and hardships in their life differently, and people with more struggles overcome it more gradually, and Mandy Oaklander made me consider the possibilities resilience has, and can offer in everyday life.

With the current changes in weather patterns, strange climatic conditions and other uncontrollable natural disasters, there has been a lot of attention directed towards the mitigation of the negative effects such natural disasters can have on man and the society at large.

Both human and economic cost of global hazards are increasing over time due to one reason, this reason is that global hazards are more frequent in the present day. Global hazards can be split into to groups hydrometeological or geophysical. Geophysical events have occurred at constant frequency throughout the ages as they are formed by tectonic or geological processes, which can’t be affected by human factors, an example of this type of event is an Earthquake or volcano. Where as on the other hand hydrometeological hazards are increasing as they are formed by hydrological or atmospheric processes, which are affected by human factors such as global warming, an example of this type of event, is a Flood or hurricane.

Further, analyze and understand the adequacy of the measures taken to adapt future climate change induced hazard risks. I have developed my capacity by doing the Masters’ Degrees in Disaster Management and Emergency Management with a research work.

“We’ve never seen anything like this” is the word increasingly heard in every part of the world in the wake of natural disasters. Certainly, strong natural disasters have increased nearly four times over the past four decades. There have been observed 70% increase in damage by floods and streams. According to recent UN report, Economic losses from disasters since 2000 are in range of $2.5 trillion, almost 50% higher than previous international estimates. The economic losses from disaster sometimes occur out of control and require partnership with private sector. The losses from earthquake and cyclonic wind damage are expected to be about $180 billion per year throughout this century- and this figure doesn’t include damage from floods, rockslides,

The concept resilience has been the interest of many disciplines over the years, and is utilized by all people at some point in their lives. Concepts are building blocks that construct theories. A concept analysis will clarify the meaning, theoretical and operational definitions of the concept, for use in theory or research (Walker & Avant, 2011). The research on resiliency has increased and today, policy and practice stakeholders have interest on its impact on health, well-being, and quality of life (Zimmerman, 2005). The purpose of this concept of analysis is to develop an operational definition of the theoretical concept of resilience. This will allow readers to understand or “get inside the

Both excerpts provide thorough descriptions on the causes and effects of disasters. The excerpt from “Super Natural Disasters of the 21st Century” demonstrates three massive natural disasters that recently occurred and the devastation that developed as a result. Similarly, the excerpt from “The Perfect Storm” combines factual information with a personal anecdote on the experience of an intensive storm. Although both authors provide causes and effects on natural disasters, they use juxtaposed strategies and techniques in order to support their claim.

Actions taken to minimize adverse impact of disasters. These including structural measures like building of flood defences and non-structural measures like training etcetera. Public awareness related to disaster risk reduction, contribute in promoting a "culture of prevention" by changing attitudes. It revolves around civil institutions responsible to prevent disasters.

While natural disasters such as floods, drought and hurricanes are commonly thought to occur due to environmental forces such as weather, climate and tectonic movements; a deeper investigation into the ‘disaster’ displays other contributing forces. Human factors have a large, if not equal, contribution to the occurrance and outcome of such disasters (Pelling, 2001). As Pelling (2001) argues, there is both a physical and human dimension to ‘natural disasters’. The extent to which the natural occurrence of a physical process, such as a flood or earthquake, impacts on society is constructed by that society, creating a ‘disaster’ as measured by a

Life is full of adversities that cannot be avoided. Everyone goes through problems, setbacks, and pressures that lead to the adverse effects of stress. But how we recover from these adversities that life throws our ways is called resilience. Baumgardner and Crothers (2009, pp 57) defines resilience as an ability to bounce back and flourish amidst all defiance of life. This ability can be manifested as adjusting well in the face of hardship, trauma, disaster, dangers or significant sources of pressure. According to Baumgardner and Crothers (2009, pp 64-65), resilience has six sources in adulthood and in later life: self-acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, environmental mastery, autonomy and positive relations with others (2009, pp