We recognize the images of disaster, but what factors do organizations take into account when responding to disasters?
We're familiar with the destruction and pain that disasters bring - the images are familiar to us. What is less people understand, though, is that the actual event - a tornado, flood, hurricane, or disease outbreak - is only part of what makes up a disaster. In other words, it is not just the event that is a disaster but also how it affects the community it hits. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies uses this formula to define what a disaster is:
Let's break down this formula a bit.
So, it is these three factors that help organizations define what a disaster is. Hopefully, with this information, you can be more informed about the most effective ways to prepare for disasters or respond to disasters in other parts of the world.