DISASTERS FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

• PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

  • Trauma and Stress: Survivors often experience

  trauma and stress due to the sudden and

  sometimes life-threatening nature of disasters.

  Witnessing loss, injury, or destruction can have

  long-lasting psychological effects.

  • Mental Health Challenges: Post-traumatic stress

  disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other

  mental health issues may arise or exacerbate in the

  aftermath of a disaster.

  • Community Resilience: The psychological perspective also involves examining the resilience of individuals and communities in coping with and recovering from traumatic events.
• PHYSICAL PERSPECTIVE

  • Infrastructure Damage: Disasters often cause

  physical destruction of infrastructure such as

  buildings, roads, bridges, utilities. This

  damage can disrupt normal life.

  • Environmental Impact: Natural disasters may

  result in environmental degradation, affecting

  ecosystems, water sources, and air quality.

  Pollution and habitat destruction are common

  consequences.

  • Health Effects: Physical injuries, illnesses, and

  diseases may result directly from the disaster or

  indirectly due to compromised sanitation, water

  quality, and healthcare infrastructure.
• SOCIO-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE

  • Community Dynamics: Disasters can impact

  social cohesion and community dynamics. They

  may strengthen or weaken social ties depending on level of community preparedness.

  • Cultural Practices: Cultural beliefs and practices may influence how communities respond to disasters. It can affect communication, decision-making, and coping mechanisms.

  • Social Inequities: Vulnerable populations may experience disproportionate impacts due to social

  inequalities. Disasters can expose existing disparities related to income, race, gender, and access to resources.
• ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE

  • Financial Losses: Disasters often result in

  significant economic losses, including damage to

  property, loss of livelihoods, and disruptions to

  businesses.

  • Insurance and Recovery: The economic perspective involves analyzing the role of insurance, government assistance, and international aid in facilitating recovery

  • Job Displacement: Disasters can lead to job losses

  and economic instability, particularly in sectors

  directly affected by the event (e.g., agriculture,

  tourism, manufacturing).
• POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE

  • Government Response: The political perspective

  focuses on the effectiveness of government

  responses to disasters.

  • Policy Implications: Disasters often lead to the reassessment of policies related to land-use planning, and environmental regulations. Political decisions can influence future resilience.

  • International Relations: In the case of large-scale disasters, affecting multiple regions, the political perspective includes international cooperation, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic responses.
• BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

  • Disease Outbreaks: Biological hazards, such as

  pandemics or the spread of vector-borne diseases,

  may follow or accompany disasters,

  • Food Security: Disasters can impact agricultural production, affecting food availability and distribution. This can lead to food shortages and nutritional challenges.

  • Vector Ecology: Changes in environmental conditions post-disaster may influence the distribution and abundance of disease vectors, affecting the prevalence of vector-borne diseases.