Social causes for disasters

Disasters and their social causes have become more of a problem nowadays. The combination of population growth and climate change (combined with many other factors, such as the up-scaling of expected life conditions in emerging economies) mean that people are more vulnerable and hazards are more frequent. Also, disasters affect people in different ways; a hurricane can pass over three different countries in the Caribbean with very different results, depending on the extent of vulnerability before and following disaster impact. We can immediately conceive of political, economic and social reasons why this is the case, but cultural norms, customs, worldviews and habits (among other factors) also play their part. Overall, it has become more important to understand the social element of risk, response and recovery and the cultural contexts that influence people and their social behaviour.

Cultural Factors: Norms/values, Customs/traditions/rituals, Worldviews, Livelihoods, Socio-economic status

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery, All disaster phases

Types of Actors Concerned: National civil protection body, Local authorities, Non-active citizens, Active citizens, Government, National research bodies, Red Cross, NGOs, Military, Law enforcement agencies, Healthcare and emergency services, European Civil Protection Mechanism, UN and other international organisations