Disasters

Natural and Human Caused

What are Disasters?

• Disasters are devastating natural, accidental or willful events that suddenly result in severe negative economic and social consequences for the affected population, including:– Physical injury– Loss of life– Loss of property– Physical/Emotional hardship– Failure of administrative/operational systems

Why Study Disasters?

• Can we agree to get along?– If we want a peaceful planet, we study disaster to

prevent human suffering

• Disaster Exposure Survey– How are we affected? – How do we respond?– How do we plan and prepare?

How do we study the result of Disasters?

Disaster Exposure Study

• Witnessed Event (in person)• Witnessed Event (social media/TV/FB/Twitter)• At the Event• Wounded at the Event• Friend/Relative Killed• Friend/Relative Wounded• Total # of people Surveyed

How can we alleviate suffering?

– Planning, preparation, response

Case Studies

• Natural Disaster– Hurricane Katrina (2005) –vs- Sandy (2012)

• Human Disaster– 9/11 (2001) –vs- Boston Marathon Bombings

“Lessons Learned”

• Lessons learned from Katrina

• Lessons learned from 9/11

This week…

• Predicting Natural Disasters• Planning for Human Disasters• Responding to Disasters