Defenition Disaster Flashcards
What is the definition of ‘Disaster’ according to the course?
- An extreme phenomenon
- Of great intensity and limited duration (so not always)
- Occurring at a certain location (so not everywhere)
- Involving a complex interplay between physical and human systems
- Causing loss of lives and threats to public health, as well as physical damage and disruption of livelihood systems and society
- Outstripping local capacities and resources
What is the classification of different hazards?
- Hydro-meteorological hazards: droughts, famines, extreme heat, floods, fires, windstorms
- Geo-physical hazards: avalanches/landslides, earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic eruptions
What is a danger?
Danger: an event or a natural characteristic that implies a risk for human beings; individual or collective harm potential
What is a risk?
Risk: The degree of exposure to danger probable. Example: A reef on a map is a danger, but its only a risk to those who sail there
What is a disaster?
Disaster: Consequence of a danger, the actualization of the risk. Known for their centrality; A total breakdown of everyday functioning takes place, with the disappearance of normal social functioning. - Disasters are political events – disaster diplomacy
What is Scapegoating disaster?
Burden or guilt is often put on specific group or person who is said to be responsible (e.g. human induced disasters). Scapegoating is not a means for finding and assigning responsibility. It is a means of avoiding finding and assigning true responsibility