**2.4. Disasters**

A disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a society, causing or threatens to cause, widespread human, material, or environmental losses which exceed the ability of affected community to cope using only its own resources (South Africa, 2002). Disasters can be sudden (flash floods) or progressive (drought). Disasters are caused due to the interaction of humans with their environment.

A disaster is a function of the risk process. It results from the combination of hazards, condi‐ tions of vulnerability and insufficient capacity or measures to reduce the potential negative consequences of risk (ISDR, 2002: 25).

Extreme natural phenomena do not in themselves constitute hazards. It is only when such phenomena occur in an environment where they pose a threat to human life, property, infrastructure or the environment that they can be classified as hazards. Similarly in the case of technological developments, it is only when such developments pose a danger e.g. industrial accidents, infrastructure failures. In essence, a disaster is the result of a hazard's impact on society. So the effects of a disaster are determined by the extent of a community's vulnerability to the hazard.

Hazards in themselves do not constitute disasters. The magnitude of disaster, according to Niekerk, is usually described in terms of the adverse effects which a disaster has had on lives, property and infrastructure; environmental damage; and the costs attached to post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation. Simply out, therefore, disaster risk is the product of the combi‐ nation of three elements – vulnerability, coping capacity and hazard (ISDR, 2004). This interaction is illustrated in the following formula.

Disaster risk (R)= Vulnerability (V) x Hazard (H) Capacity (C)

Hazards are increasingly dynamic and with highly varying potential impacts. A wide range of geographical, meteorological hydrological, environmental, technological, biological and socio-political hazards can threaten livelihoods and sustainable development.

Hazards can be classified into three broad categories:


It should be noted that all communities be it rural or urban are vulnerable to hazards. However, different regions will be more prone to certain types of hazards than others.

Natural hazards are those triggered by climatic and geographical variability, which is at least partly beyond the control of human activity (Palm, 1990).

Technological hazards represents dangers originating from technological or industrial accidents, dangerous procedures, infrastructure failures or certain human activities, which may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.

Degradation of the environment is processes induced by human behaviour and activities (sometimes combined with natural hazards) that damage the natural resource base or ad‐ versely alter natural processes or ecosystems. Potential effects are varied and many contribute to an increase in vulnerability and the frequency and intensity of hazards.

The linkages between natural hazards and human-driven disasters and distressing environ‐ mental and humanitarian situations are increasingly present, particularly as the poor are compelled to exploit scarce environmental resources simply for survival. Deforestation, land degradation, and related food security are shaped by human resource use (e.g. urban squatting on marginalized hillsides), in turn sometimes creating conditions for flooding, landslides and drought.

To ensure an integrated approach by all relevant role players in assessing hazards and determining the risk and vulnerability in our communities, there is need for risk and vulner‐ ability analysis. The following steps should be followed in order to engage in risk and vulnerability analysis.


Disaster Risk Management and Social Impact Assessment: Understanding Preparedness, Response and Recovery… http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/55736 265

Source: Keipi and Tyson, 2002

recovery and rehabilitation. Simply out, therefore, disaster risk is the product of the combi‐ nation of three elements – vulnerability, coping capacity and hazard (ISDR, 2004). This

Hazards are increasingly dynamic and with highly varying potential impacts. A wide range of geographical, meteorological hydrological, environmental, technological, biological and

It should be noted that all communities be it rural or urban are vulnerable to hazards. However,

Natural hazards are those triggered by climatic and geographical variability, which is at least

Technological hazards represents dangers originating from technological or industrial accidents, dangerous procedures, infrastructure failures or certain human activities, which may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or

Degradation of the environment is processes induced by human behaviour and activities (sometimes combined with natural hazards) that damage the natural resource base or ad‐ versely alter natural processes or ecosystems. Potential effects are varied and many contribute

The linkages between natural hazards and human-driven disasters and distressing environ‐ mental and humanitarian situations are increasingly present, particularly as the poor are compelled to exploit scarce environmental resources simply for survival. Deforestation, land degradation, and related food security are shaped by human resource use (e.g. urban squatting on marginalized hillsides), in turn sometimes creating conditions for flooding, landslides and

To ensure an integrated approach by all relevant role players in assessing hazards and determining the risk and vulnerability in our communities, there is need for risk and vulner‐ ability analysis. The following steps should be followed in order to engage in risk and

interaction is illustrated in the following formula.

Hazards can be classified into three broad categories:

partly beyond the control of human activity (Palm, 1990).

Vulnerability (V) x Hazard (H) Capacity (C)

socio-political hazards can threaten livelihoods and sustainable development.

different regions will be more prone to certain types of hazards than others.

to an increase in vulnerability and the frequency and intensity of hazards.

Disaster risk (R)=

264 Environmental Change and Sustainability

**•** Natural hazards

**•** Technological hazards

**•** Environmental degradation.

environmental degradation.

drought.

vulnerability analysis.

**•** Identify the nature, extent, and risk of hazards;

**•** Identify the capabilities and resources available;

**•** Determine the existence and degree of vulnerabilities;

**Figure 1.** Natural Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk


Probability and magnitude of the


The strategies that can be used for the improvement of the application of risk and vulnerability analysis, according to Niekerk (2002) include the following:


Source: Keipi and Tyson, 2002

**Figure 2.** Risk Management as a Virtuous Circle
