Human factors in disasters

Human factors in disasters

1. Rapid population growth

   • Pressures on the land lead to people living on high risk areas
   • Growing number of elderly people
   • Growing proportion of very young in developing countries who are vulnerable

2. Deforestation and Land Degradation

   • Deforestation to gain farmland, which can lead to flooding and soil erosion contributes to cliimate change
   • Destruction of mangroves as coastal areas are developed, also leads to flooding
   • Farming in marginal areas and deforestation for fire wood, leads to deforestation

3. Urbanisation

   • The development of squatter settlements on areas at risk of Land slides

4. Poverty and Politics

   • Earthquakes have much higher death tole in less developed countries
   • Developing countries may not be able to afford to prepare for emergency
   • Poorly educated population have little access to communication so its harder to prepare
   • Difficult to get aid to remote areas
   • Corrupt Government may misuse resources