Editing Natural disaster (section)

== Impacts ==
A natural disaster may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage.

=== On death rates ===
[[File:Number-of-deaths-from-natural-disasters.png|thumb|Global death rate from natural disasters (1900–2022)]]Globally, the total number of deaths from natural disasters has been reduced by 75% over the last 100 years, due to the increased development of countries, increased preparedness, better education, better methods, and aid from international organizations. Since the global population has grown over the same time period, the decrease in number of deaths per capita is larger, dropping to 6% of the original amount.<ref name="Rosling2018">{{cite book | last1=Rosling | first1=H. | last2=Rosling | first2=O. | last3=Rönnlund | first3=A.R. | title=Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think | publisher=Flatiron Books | year=2018 | isbn=978-1-250-10781-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fpZNDwAAQBAJ | pages=107–109, 299–325}}</ref>

The death rate from natural disasters is highest in [[Developing country|developing countries]] due to the lower quality of building construction, infrastructure, and medical facilities.<ref name="Rosling2018" />

=== On the economy ===
[[File:Damage-costs-from-natural-disasters.png|thumb|Global damage cost from natural disasters (1980–2022)]]Global economic losses due to extreme weather, climate and water events are increasing. Costs have increased sevenfold from the 1970s to the 2010s.<ref>World Meteorological Society (WMO) (2021). [https://library.wmo.int/idurl/4/57564 WMO Atlas of Mortality and Economic Losses from Weather, Climate and Water Extremes (1970–2019)]. https://library.wmo.int/idurl/4/57564</ref>{{rp|16}} Direct losses from disasters have averaged above US$330 billion annually between 2015 and 2021.<ref name=":132">UNDRR (2023). [https://sendaiframework-mtr.undrr.org/publication/report-midterm-review-implementation-sendai-framework-disaster-risk-reduction-2015-2030 The Report of the Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030]. UNDRR: Geneva, Switzerland.</ref>{{rp|21}} [[Socioeconomics|Socio-economic]] factors have contributed to this trend of increasing losses, such as population growth and increased wealth.<ref>{{Citation |last=Bouwer |first=Laurens M. |title=Observed and Projected Impacts from Extreme Weather Events: Implications for Loss and Damage |date=2019 |work=Loss and Damage from Climate Change: Concepts, Methods and Policy Options |pages=63–82 |editor-last=Mechler |editor-first=Reinhard |series=Climate Risk Management, Policy and Governance |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-72026-5_3 |isbn=978-3-319-72026-5 |editor2-last=Bouwer |editor2-first=Laurens M. |editor3-last=Schinko |editor3-first=Thomas |editor4-last=Surminski |editor4-first=Swenja |doi-access=free}}</ref> This shows that increased exposure is the most important driver of economic losses. However, part of these are also due to human-induced [[Economic analysis of climate change|climate change]].<ref>Seneviratne, S.I., X. Zhang, M. Adnan, W. Badi, C. Dereczynski, A. Di Luca, S. Ghosh, I. Iskandar, J. Kossin, S. Lewis, F. Otto, I. Pinto, M. Satoh, S.M. Vicente-Serrano, M. Wehner, and B. Zhou, 2021: [[doi:10.1017/9781009157896.013|Weather and Climate Extreme Events in a Changing Climate. In Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]] [Masson-Delmotte, V., P. Zhai, A. Pirani, S.L. Connors, C. Péan, S. Berger, N. Caud, Y. Chen, L. Goldfarb, M.I. Gomis, M. Huang, K. Leitzell, E. Lonnoy, J.B.R. Matthews, T.K. Maycock, T. Waterfield, O. Yelekçi, R. Yu, and B. Zhou (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, pp. 1513–1766, {{doi|10.1017/9781009157896.013}}</ref>{{rp|1611}}<ref name=":12">Newman, R., Noy, I. [[doi:10.1038/s41467-023-41888-1|The global costs of extreme weather that are attributable to climate change]]. ''Nat Commun'' 14, 6103 (2023). {{doi|10.1038/s41467-023-41888-1}}</ref>

=== On the environment ===
During emergencies such as natural disasters and armed conflicts more waste may be produced, while waste management is given low priority compared with other services. Existing waste management services and infrastructures can be disrupted, leaving communities with unmanaged waste and increased littering. Under these circumstances human health and the environment are often negatively impacted.<ref name="UNEP">{{Cite web |date=2021-10-21 |title=Drowning in Plastics – Marine Litter and Plastic Waste Vital Graphics |url=http://www.unep.org/resources/report/drowning-plastics-marine-litter-and-plastic-waste-vital-graphics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321122658/https://www.unep.org/resources/report/drowning-plastics-marine-litter-and-plastic-waste-vital-graphics |archive-date=2022-03-21 |access-date=2022-03-23 |publisher=UNEP – UN Environment Programme |language=en}}{{CC-notice|by4}}</ref>

Natural disasters (e.g. earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes) have the potential to generate a significant amount of waste within a short period. [[Waste management]] systems can be out of action or curtailed, often requiring considerable time and funding to restore. For example, the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami|tsunami in Japan in 2011]] produced huge amounts of debris: estimates of 5 million tonnes of waste were reported by the [[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Japanese Ministry of the Environment]]. Some of this waste, mostly plastic and [[styrofoam]] washed up on the coasts of Canada and the United States in late 2011. Along the west coast of the United States, this increased the amount of litter by a factor of 10 and may have transported alien species. Storms are also important generators of plastic litter. A study by Lo et al. (2020) reported a 100% increase in the amount of [[microplastics]] on beaches surveyed following a typhoon in [[Hong Kong]] in 2018.<ref name="UNEP" />

A significant amount of plastic waste can be produced during disaster relief operations. Following the [[2010 Haiti earthquake|2010 earthquake in Haiti]], the generation of waste from relief operations was referred to as a "second disaster". The United States military reported that millions of water bottles and [[styrofoam]] food packages were distributed although there was no operational waste management system. Over 700,000 plastic tarpaulins and 100,000 tents were required for emergency shelters. The increase in plastic waste, combined with poor disposal practices, resulted in open drainage channels being blocked, increasing the risk of [[disease]].<ref name="UNEP" />

Conflicts can result in large-scale displacement of communities. People living under these conditions are often provided with minimal waste management facilities. [[Burn pit]]s are widely used to dispose of mixed wastes, including plastics. Air pollution can lead to respiratory and other illnesses. For example, [[Sahrawi refugees]] have been living in five camps near [[Tindouf|Tindouf, Algeria]] for nearly 45 years. As waste collection services are underfunded and there is no recycling facility, plastics have flooded the camps' streets and surroundings. In contrast, the Azraq camp in Jordan for refugees from Syria has waste management services; of 20.7 tonnes of waste produced per day, 15% is recyclable.<ref name="UNEP" />

=== On women and vulnerable populations ===
Because of the social, political and cultural context of many places throughout the world, women are often disproportionately affected by disaster.<ref name="pmid21629495">{{cite journal |last1=Nour |first1=Nawal N |date=2011 |title=Maternal Health Considerations During Disaster Relief |journal=Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=22–27 |pmc=3100103 |pmid=21629495}}</ref> In the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, more women died than men, partly due to the fact that fewer women knew how to swim.<ref name="pmid21629495" /> During and after a natural disaster, women are at increased risk of being affected by [[gender based violence]] and are increasingly vulnerable to sexual violence. Disrupted police enforcement, lax regulations, and displacement all contribute to increased risk of gender based violence and sexual assault.<ref name="pmid21629495" />

In addition to [[LGBT people]] and [[immigrants]], women are also disproportionately victimized by religion-based [[scapegoating]] for natural disasters: fanatical religious leaders or adherents may claim that a [[deity|god or gods]] are angry with women's independent, freethinking behavior, such as dressing 'immodestly', having sex or abortions.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Lord |first=Leighann |date=1 October 2019 |title=The easiest way to respond to a natural disaster? Blame God or global warming |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2015/sep/01/easiest-way-respond-natural-disaster-blame-god-global-warming |url-status=live |access-date=28 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928143012/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2015/sep/01/easiest-way-respond-natural-disaster-blame-god-global-warming |archive-date=28 September 2019}}</ref> For example, [[Hindutva]] party [[Hindu Makkal Katchi]] and others blamed [[Entry of women to Sabarimala|women's struggle for the right to enter]] the [[Sabarimala]] temple for the August [[2018 Kerala floods]], purportedly inflicted by the angry god [[Ayyappan]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 August 2018 |title=Kerala flood blamed on women's entry into Sabarimala by Hindu Makkal Katchi |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2018/aug/15/kerala-flood-blamed-on-womens-entry-into-sabarimala-by-hindu-makkal-katchi-1858022.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928144328/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2018/aug/15/kerala-flood-blamed-on-womens-entry-into-sabarimala-by-hindu-makkal-katchi-1858022.html |archive-date=28 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Asmita Nandy |date=20 August 2018 |title=Hate Mongers on Twitter Blamed Women, Beef, Muslims, Christians and Communism for Causing the Kerala Floods |work=[[The Quint]] |url=https://www.thequint.com/videos/kerala-floods-women-in-sabarimala-beef-muslims-christians |url-status=live |access-date=28 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928145554/https://www.thequint.com/videos/kerala-floods-women-in-sabarimala-beef-muslims-christians |archive-date=28 September 2019}}</ref>

During and after natural disasters, routine health behaviors become interrupted. In addition, health care systems may have broken down as a result of the disaster, further reducing access to contraceptives.<ref name="pmid21629495" /> Unprotected intercourse during this time can lead to increased rates of childbirth, unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).<ref name="pmid21629495" /><ref name="pmid21375788">{{cite journal |last1=Harville |first1=Emily |last2=Xiong |first2=Xu |last3=Buekens |first3=Pierre |date=November 2010 |title=Disasters and Perinatal Health: A Systematic Review |journal=Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey |volume=65 |issue=11 |pages=713–728 |doi=10.1097/OGX.0b013e31820eddbe |pmc=3472448 |pmid=21375788}}</ref>

Pregnant women are one of the groups disproportionately affected by natural disasters. Inadequate nutrition, little access to clean water, lack of health-care services and psychological stress in the aftermath of the disaster can lead to a significant increase in maternal morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, shortage of healthcare resources during this time can convert even routine obstetric complications into emergencies.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Meyers |first=Talya |date=23 December 2019 |title=Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to disasters. |work=Direct Relief |url=https://www.directrelief.org/2019/12/pregnant-women-are-particularly-vulnerable-to-disasters/ |url-status=live |access-date=21 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001050314/https://www.directrelief.org/2019/12/pregnant-women-are-particularly-vulnerable-to-disasters/ |archive-date=1 October 2020}}</ref>

Once a vulnerable population has experienced a disaster, the community can take many years to repair and that repair period can lead to further vulnerability. The disastrous consequences of natural disaster also affect the mental health of affected communities, often leading to post-traumatic symptoms. These increased emotional experiences can be supported through collective processing, leading to resilience and increased community engagement.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kieft |first1=J. |last2=Bendell |first2=J |year=2021 |title=The responsibility of communicating difficult truths about climate influenced societal disruption and collapse: an introduction to psychological research |url=https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/5950 |url-status=live |journal=Institute for Leadership and Sustainability (IFLAS) Occasional Papers |volume=7 |pages=1–39 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310074519/https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/5950/ |archive-date=2021-03-10 |access-date=2021-04-03}}</ref>

=== On governments and voting processes ===
Disasters stress government capacity, as the government tries to conduct routine as well as emergency operations.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Clarke |first1=Daniel J. |url=https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/32368 |title=Dull Disasters? How planning ahead will make a difference |last2=Dercon |first2=Stefan |date=2016 |publisher=Oxford University Press |hdl=20.500.12657/32368 |isbn=978-0-19-878557-6 |language=English |access-date=2021-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004224335/https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/32368 |archive-date=2021-10-04 |url-status=live}}</ref> Some theorists of voting behavior propose that citizens update information about government effectiveness based on their response to disasters, which affects their vote choice in the next election.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ashworth |first1=Scott |last2=Bueno de Mesquita |first2=Ethan |last3=Friedenberg |first3=Amanda |date=May 2017 |title=Accountability and Information in Elections |url=https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/mic.20150349 |url-status=live |journal=American Economic Journal: Microeconomics |language=en |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=95–138 |doi=10.1257/mic.20150349 |s2cid=17843113 |issn=1945-7669 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004225730/https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257%2Fmic.20150349 |archive-date=2021-10-04 |access-date=2022-04-18}}</ref> Indeed, some evidence, based on data from the United States, reveals that incumbent parties can lose votes if citizens perceives them as responsible for a poor disaster response<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gasper |first1=John T. |last2=Reeves |first2=Andrew |date=April 2011 |title=Make It Rain? Retrospection and the Attentive Electorate in the Context of Natural Disasters |journal=American Journal of Political Science |volume=55 |issue=2 |pages=340–355 |doi=10.1111/j.1540-5907.2010.00503.x |jstor=23025055}}</ref> or gain votes based on perceptions of well-executed relief work.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Healy |first1=Andrew |last2=Malhotra |first2=Neil |date=August 2009 |title=Myopic Voters and Natural Disaster Policy |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/abs/myopic-voters-and-natural-disaster-policy/039708A3223EC114365ADF56F1D26423 |url-status=live |journal=American Political Science Review |language=en |volume=103 |issue=3 |pages=387–406 |doi=10.1017/S0003055409990104 |issn=1537-5943 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004224325/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/abs/myopic-voters-and-natural-disaster-policy/039708A3223EC114365ADF56F1D26423 |archive-date=2021-10-04 |access-date=2021-10-04 |s2cid=32422707}}</ref> The latter study also finds, however, that voters do not reward incumbent parties for [[disaster preparedness]], which may end up affecting government incentives to invest in such preparedness.<ref name=":0" />