Interrelationship Of Disaster And Development

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Debate regarding the relationship between socioeconomic development and natural disasters remains at the fore of global discussions, as the potential risk from Climate extremes and uncertainty pose an increasing threat to developmental prospects. This study reviews statistical investigations of disaster and development linkages, across topics of macroeconomic Growth, public governance and others to identify key challenges to the current approach to macro-level statistical investigation. Both theoretically and qualitatively, disaster is known to affect development through a number of channels: haphazard development, weak institutions, lack of social safety nets and short-termism of our decision-making practices are some of the factors that drive natural disaster risk. Developmental potentials, including the prospects for sustainable and equitable growth, are in turn threatened by such accumulation of disaster risks. However, quantitative evidence regarding these complex causality chains remains contested due to several reasons. A number of theoretical and methodological limitations have been identified, including the use of GDP as a proxy measurement of welfare, issues with natural disaster damage reporting and the adoption of ad hoc model specifications and variables, which render interpretation and cross-comparison of statistical analysis difficult. Additionally, while greater attention is paid to economic and institutional parameters such as GDP, remittance, Corruption and public expenditure as opposed to hard-to-quantify yet critical factors such as environmental conditions and social vulnerabilities. These are gaps in our approach that hamper our comprehensive understanding of the disaster-development nexus.

The specific social-ecological contexts in which disaster risk arises are highly complex, as are their immediate and longer-term implications. The concept of development is equally multi-dimensional. When these complex factors must be framed within statistically testable questions, it is easy to imagine that finding a robust ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer can be extremely challenging. Even on the relatively narrower topic of the relationship between natural disasters and GDP growth implications, international confidence is considered ‘medium’, as explained in the recent Special Report on Managing the Risk of Extreme Events (SREX) report IPCC, 2012: Differences [in estimates of disaster impacts on the macroeconomy] can be partly explained by the lack of a robust counterfactual in some studies (e.g. what would GDP have been if a disaster had not occurred?), failure to account for the informal sector, varying ways of accounting for insurance and aid flows, different patterns of impacts resulting from, for example, Earthquakes versus floods, and the fact that national accounting does not record the destruction of assets, but reports relief and reconstruction as additions to GDP.

Disaster derail development

According to the United Nations, over the past twenty years disasters from natural hazards have affected 4.4 billion people, claimed 1.3 million lives and caused $2 trillion in economic losses. For the first time, disaster losses globally have topped $100bn for three consecutive years (2010–2012), far outstripping humanitarian aid. According to Ban Ki Moon, „Economic losses from disasters are out of control.‟2 Disasters have a devastating impact on development. Families lose homes, livelihoods and loved ones, communities lose businesses, jobs and Services, children and particularly girls miss school and are at risk of early marriage – the list of impacts goes on.

Disasters lead to enormous economic losses that are both immediate as well as long term in nature and demand additional revenues. Also, as an immediate fall-out, disasters reduce revenues from the affected region due to lower levels of economic activity leading to loss of direct and indirect taxes. In addition, unplanned budgetary allocation to disaster recovery can hamper development interventions and lead to unmet developmental targets.

Disasters may also reduce availability of new Investment, further constricting the growth of the region. Besides, additional pressures may be imposed on finances of the government through investments in relief and rehabilitation work.

In the 2001 earthquake in Gujarat, more than 14,000 lives were lost, ten lakh houses were damaged and the asset loss has been indicated to be worth 15,000 crore. Tables 7.2 to 7.5 give an indication of the magnitude of the damage and losses incurred by the country in recent natural disasters.

The extent to which a Population is affected by a calamity does not purely lie in the physical components of vulnerability, but is contextual also to the prevailing social and economic conditions and its consequential effect on human activities within a given Society. Research in areas affected by earthquakes indicates that single parent families, Women, handicapped people, children and the aged are particularly vulnerable social groups. The geophysical setting with unplanned and inadequate developmental activity is a cause for increased losses during disasters. In the case of India, the contribution of over-population to high population density, which in turn results in escalating losses, deserves to be noted. This factor sometimes tends to be as important as physical vulnerability attributed to geography and Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE alone.

The incidence of disasters from natural hazards is increasing in every region of the world; reported weather-related disasters have tripled in 30 years. The numbers of people exposed to floods and tropical Cyclones-2/”>Cyclones have doubled and tripled respectively since 1970.In the Sahel region of West Africa, a food crisis used to strike once a decade; but there have been three major food crises in the last 10 years, so people have had little time to get back on their feet, let alone develop buffers, before the next one hits.

Sustainable and significant reduction of disaster risk can only be achieved by working across policy frameworks. The development of the post2015 development framework, the successor to the Hyogo Framework for Action, and a new international Climate Change agreement, all in 2015, offer an unparalleled opportunity to go beyond the incremental progress to date, to significantly reduce risk for vulnerable and marginalised people all over the world.

 



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The interrelationship of disaster and development is a complex and multifaceted issue. There are many different ways to approach this topic, and the specific subtopics that are relevant will vary depending on the specific context. However, some of the key subtopics that are often discussed in relation to this issue include:

  • The causes of disasters: What factors contribute to the occurrence of disasters?
  • The impacts of disasters: What are the short- and long-term impacts of disasters on individuals, communities, and societies?
  • The role of development in reducing disaster risk: How can development efforts help to reduce the risk of disasters?
  • The challenges of post-disaster recovery: What are the challenges of rebuilding after a disaster?
  • The role of international cooperation in disaster risk reduction: How can international cooperation help to reduce the risk of disasters?

These are just some of the many subtopics that can be discussed in relation to the interrelationship of disaster and development. The specific subtopics that are most relevant will vary depending on the specific context.

The causes of disasters

Disasters can be caused by a variety of factors, including natural hazards, human-made hazards, and technological hazards. Natural hazards are events that occur in the natural world, such as earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. Human-made hazards are events that are caused by human activity, such as wars, industrial accidents, and nuclear disasters. Technological hazards are events that are caused by the failure of technology, such as chemical spills and power outages.

The causes of disasters can be complex and interrelated. For example, a NATURAL HAZARD such as an earthquake can trigger a human-made hazard such as a dam failure. Similarly, a technological hazard such as a nuclear power plant accident can have both human and environmental consequences.

The impacts of disasters

Disasters can have a devastating impact on individuals, communities, and societies. The short-term impacts of disasters can include death, injury, displacement, and loss of property. The long-term impacts of disasters can include social and economic disruption, Environmental Degradation, and psychological trauma.

The impacts of disasters can be particularly severe in developing countries. Developing countries are often more vulnerable to disasters because they have less infrastructure, less Resources, and less capacity to cope with disasters. In addition, developing countries are often located in areas that are more prone to natural hazards.

The role of development in reducing disaster risk

Development can help to reduce disaster risk by addressing the underlying causes of disasters. Development can help to improve infrastructure, reduce POVERTY, and build resilience to disasters. In addition, development can help to improve early warning systems and disaster preparedness.

However, development can also increase disaster risk if it is not done in a sustainable way. For example, development that leads to deforestation or unsustainable land use can increase the risk of landslides and floods. In addition, development that leads to the concentration of people and assets in high-risk areas can increase the risk of damage and loss of life in a disaster.

The challenges of post-disaster recovery

Post-disaster recovery is the process of rebuilding after a disaster. It can be a long and complex process, and it can be difficult to achieve full recovery. The challenges of post-disaster recovery include:

  • Rebuilding physical infrastructure, such as homes, schools, and hospitals.
  • Restoring economic activity, such as businesses and jobs.
  • Rebuilding social and community networks.
  • Addressing the psychological trauma of disaster survivors.

The challenges of post-disaster recovery can be compounded by factors such as the severity of the disaster, the level of development of the affected area, and the availability of resources.

The role of international cooperation in disaster risk reduction

International cooperation can help to reduce disaster risk by sharing knowledge and resources, building capacity, and supporting early warning systems and disaster preparedness. In addition, international cooperation can help to coordinate disaster response and recovery efforts.

There are a number of international organizations that are working to reduce disaster risk, including the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the World Bank, and the Red Cross. These organizations are working to develop and implement policies and programs to reduce disaster risk, and they are providing support to countries that are affected by disasters.

The interrelationship of disaster and development is a complex and challenging issue. However, there are a number of things that can be done to reduce disaster risk and improve the resilience of communities to disasters. Development can help to reduce disaster risk by addressing the underlying causes of disasters. International cooperation can help to reduce disaster risk by sharing knowledge and resources, building capacity, and supporting early warning systems and disaster preparedness.

What is disaster risk reduction?

Disaster risk reduction is the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyze and manage the causal factors of disasters, including through structural and non-structural measures.

What are the different types of disasters?

There are many different types of disasters, but they can be broadly categorized into natural disasters, technological disasters, and man-made disasters. Natural disasters are caused by natural phenomena such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Technological disasters are caused by human activity, such as industrial accidents, nuclear accidents, and oil spills. Man-made disasters are caused by deliberate human actions, such as war, terrorism, and genocide.

What are the causes of disasters?

The causes of disasters can be complex and vary depending on the type of disaster. However, some common causes of disasters include:

  • Natural hazards: Natural hazards are events or phenomena that can cause loss of life, damage to property, and disruption of society. Examples of natural hazards include earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
  • Human activity: Human activity can also contribute to the risk of disasters. Examples of human activities that can increase the risk of disasters include deforestation, Urbanization, and climate change.
  • Vulnerability: Vulnerability is the degree to which a system is susceptible to the effects of a hazard. Factors that can increase vulnerability include poverty, lack of Education, and poor infrastructure.

What are the effects of disasters?

The effects of disasters can be devastating, both in the short-term and the long-term. Some of the immediate effects of disasters include:

  • Loss of life: Disasters can cause a large number of deaths, either directly or indirectly.
  • Damage to property: Disasters can cause extensive damage to property, including homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
  • Disruption of society: Disasters can disrupt society in a number of ways, including by causing widespread displacement, economic hardship, and social unrest.

What are the challenges of disaster risk reduction?

There are a number of challenges to disaster risk reduction, including:

  • Lack of awareness: Many people are not aware of the risks of disasters or how to reduce their risk.
  • Lack of resources: Resources, such as Money, technology, and skilled personnel, are often limited in developing countries, which are more vulnerable to disasters.
  • Political instability: Political instability can make it difficult to implement disaster risk reduction measures.
  • Conflict: Conflict can also make it difficult to implement disaster risk reduction measures, as resources are often diverted to the conflict.

What are the benefits of disaster risk reduction?

There are a number of benefits to disaster risk reduction, including:

  • Saving lives: Disaster risk reduction can help to save lives by reducing the number of people who are exposed to hazards and by improving the preparedness of communities.
  • Reducing damage to property: Disaster risk reduction can help to reduce the damage to property by making buildings and infrastructure more resilient to hazards.
  • Protecting the Environment: Disaster risk reduction can help to protect the environment by reducing the impact of disasters on Ecosystems.
  • Promoting Economic Development: Disaster risk reduction can promote economic development by creating jobs and stimulating investment.
  • Building resilience: Disaster risk reduction can help to build resilience to disasters, which can make communities more adaptable to change.

What can be done to reduce disaster risk?

There are a number of things that can be done to reduce disaster risk, including:

  • Investing in early warning systems: Early warning systems can help to save lives by giving people time to evacuate before a disaster strikes.
  • Building resilient infrastructure: Resilient infrastructure can withstand the impact of disasters, reducing the damage to property and infrastructure.
  • Improving land-use planning: Land-use planning can help to reduce the risk of disasters by preventing development in areas that are at high risk.
  • Raising awareness: Raising awareness of the risks of disasters can help people to take steps to reduce their risk.
  • Building community resilience: Building community resilience can help communities to cope with the impact of disasters.

What is the role of the international community in disaster risk reduction?

The international community has a role to play in disaster risk reduction by providing financial and technical assistance to developing countries, as well as by promoting international cooperation on disaster risk reduction.

  1. Which of the following is not a type of disaster?
    (A) Natural disaster
    (B) Man-made disaster
    (C) Social disaster
    (D) Economic disaster

  2. Which of the following is not a factor that can contribute to a disaster?
    (A) Climate change
    (B) Poverty
    (C) War
    (D) Development

  3. Which of the following is not a way to reduce the risk of a disaster?
    (A) Building stronger infrastructure
    (B) Investing in early warning systems
    (C) Raising awareness of the risks
    (D) Increasing development

  4. Which of the following is not a way to recover from a disaster?
    (A) Providing food and shelter to those affected
    (B) Rebuilding infrastructure
    (C) Providing psychological support to those affected
    (D) Increasing development

  5. Which of the following is not a goal of Disaster Management?
    (A) To reduce the risk of disasters
    (B) To prepare for disasters
    (C) To respond to disasters
    (D) To recover from disasters

  6. Which of the following is not a type of disaster management?
    (A) Preparedness
    (B) Response
    (C) Recovery
    (D) Development

  7. Which of the following is not a way to prepare for a disaster?
    (A) Creating a disaster plan
    (B) Stocking up on supplies
    (C) Learning about the risks in your area
    (D) Increasing development

  8. Which of the following is not a way to respond to a disaster?
    (A) Evacuating people to safety
    (B) Providing first aid
    (C) Restoring basic services
    (D) Increasing development

  9. Which of the following is not a way to recover from a disaster?
    (A) Rebuilding infrastructure
    (B) Providing food and shelter
    (C) Providing psychological support
    (D) Increasing development

  10. Which of the following is not a benefit of disaster management?
    (A) Saving lives
    (B) Reducing damage
    (C) Speeding up recovery
    (D) Increasing development

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