Issue Insights
Explore practical information and analyses of types of disasters, related issues, affected communities, recovery strategies and how donors can help.
Earthquakes
Striking without warning, earthquakes often are among the most devastating disasters. Caused by the movement of plates along fault lines on the earth’s surface, earthquakes often leave a monumental path of instant death and destruction.
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Rural Populations
Rural populations often struggle with disaster response and recovery. Explore why.
Technology
With an estimated 5 billion mobile phone users worldwide, mobile communication is proving to be the most effective and efficient means of reaching and informing the public when disaster strikes.
The National Disaster Recovery Framework
The National Disaster Recovery Framework was released in 2011 and updated in 2016. It offers a flexible structure enabling “disaster recovery managers to operate in a unified and collaborative manner.”
The Stafford Act
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 governs how the United States government responds to disasters. While the Stafford Act provides an important and necessary foundation for a coordinated national response to disasters, a number of shortcomings and deficiencies have been identified over the years.
Tornadoes
The National Weather Service defines tornadoes as “a violently rotating column of air touching the ground, usually attached to the base of a thunderstorm.” The U.S. is home to more tornadoes than any other country in the world, with approximately 900 to 1,700 tornadoes occurring a year throughout the country.
Transportation
The transportation system is responsible for the movement of goods and people from one point to another. The system includes all vehicles including ships and transport trucks, infrastructure, and the governance and support services necessary to keep the transportation system operating safely and efficiently.
UN IASC Cluster Approach
The United Nations uses a multi-pronged Cluster Approach to coordinate humanitarian and emergency relief for disasters. Clusters are groups of humanitarian organizations in each of the main sectors of humanitarian action. They are designated by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee and have clear responsibilities for coordination.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Water is one of the most necessary elements for life, yet according to the World Health Organization/UNICEF, 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water. In addition, 4.5 billion people lack safely-managed sanitation facilities. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) principles are of tremendous concern in everyday life, but can be heightened during an emergency or disaster.
Wildfires
Weather can significantly affect the frequency and severity of wildfires. Prolonged drought can extend prime wildfire season, making blazes more likely. Additionally, high temperatures and low humidity can quickly dry out vegetation which then becomes potential fuel.
Women and Girls in Disasters
Pre-existing, structural gender inequalities mean that disasters affect women and girls in different ways than they affect boys and men. The vulnerability of females increases when they are in a lower socioeconomic group.