Who are the main victims of natural disasters?
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What is this episode about and who are the main victims of natural disasters?
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Which recent natural disasters have caused the highest death tolls?
Who are the main victims of natural disasters? Thanks for asking. Natural disasters lead to damaged property, loss of life, psychological trauma, displaced individuals and families, and many other consequences. According to the World Meteorological Organization, the number of natural disasters has increased five times since 1970. Since the turn of the century, we've seen three mega disasters, each claiming over 100,000 lives. The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, Cyclone Nagis hitting Myanmar in 2008, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The biggest killers are without doubt earthquakes and tsunamis, but there's also concern that the frequency and intensity of weather-related disasters is increasing due to climate change.
Why are poorer countries disproportionately affected by natural disasters?
These include droughts, heatwaves, flooding, and storms. Researchers from all over the world have dedicated their careers to studying natural disasters, and they all agree on one thing. The poorer people are, the more likely they are to suffer the consequences. There's a bitter irony to the fact that countries that have contributed the least to climate change are being hit the hardest by climate-related events. Any figures to back that up? Back in two thousand and nine, charity Oxfam analysed data from sixty five hundred natural disasters that had taken place since nineteen eighty. It found that there are an average of twenty three deaths when a natural disaster occurs in a rich country compared to one thousand fifty two in a poor country.
How do inequalities within a single country influence disaster vulnerability?
If you look at the globe you can see that a lot of the poorest countries are in high risk zones for natural disasters. On top of deaths, the long-term consequences of natural disasters are more brutal in poor countries. We're talking food insecurity, a lack of safe drinking water, illness, and further deepening of poverty. Crucially, wealthy countries have the means to offer an effective response as a matter of urgency and soak up the long-term consequences. Are there differences within a single country? Indeed, even at a national level, poorer people and minorities in general tend to find themselves on the front line when a disaster strikes and in the aftermath. One prominent example is Hurricane Katrina which struck New Orleans in 2005.
What long‑term impacts do natural disasters have on food security, water safety, and poverty?
It stands to reason that poor people tend to live in homes that are less solidly built. and that they're less able to invest money in risk-reducing measures. In the context of a natural disaster, people need to be able to leave the area quickly and find shelter elsewhere, but poor people may not be able to afford having a car at their disposal in an emergency situation, or paying for temporary accommodation. There you have it. Now you know who the main victims of natural disasters are. In under three minutes we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What is this episode about and who are the main victims of natural disasters?
0:00–0:31
2
Which recent natural disasters have caused the highest death tolls?
0:31–1:22
3
Why are poorer countries disproportionately affected by natural disasters?
1:22–2:11
4
How do inequalities within a single country influence disaster vulnerability?
2:11–2:58
5
What long‑term impacts do natural disasters have on food security, water safety, and poverty?
2:58–3:40