Problem

Disasters


Experimental visualization of narrower problems
Other Names:
Disaster victim
Calamities
Nature:

In the event of a disaster, whether natural or occasioned by man, the day-to-day patterns of life are suddenly disrupted and people are plunged into helplessness and suffering, usually aggravated by a loss of protection, shelter, clothing, food, and medical care. A disaster disturbs the vital functioning of a society. It affects the system of biological survival (subsistence, shelter, health, reproduction), the system of order (division of labour, authority patterns, cultural norms, social roles), the system of meaning (values, shared definitions or reality, communication mechanism), and the motivation of the actors within all of these systems.

A disaster may result from natural phenomena such as: earthquakes; volcanic eruptions; storm surges; cyclones; tropical storms; floods; avalanches; landslides; forest fires; massive insect infestations; and drought. Equally, the activities of man may result in a disaster: armed conflict; industrial accidents; radiation accidents; factory fires; explosions or escape of toxic gases or chemical substances; pollution; mining or other structural collapses; transport accidents; and dam failures. The outbreak of infectious diseases may occur spontaneously or as a result of a disaster situation.

Broader Problems:
Countries in crisis
Values:
Disaster
Subject(s):
Societal Problems Emergencies
Societal Problems Victims
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
GOAL 13: Climate ActionGOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
Problem Type:
A: Abstract Fundamental Problems
Date of last update
15.04.2019 – 15:45 CEST