THE UNITED Nations’ (UN) will observe International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction on October 14 this year. This event is observed annually on the second Wednesday of October to promote a global culture of natural disaster risk reduction. This event encourages people and governments to participate in building more resilient communities and nations to withstand disasters. Observance activities usually centre on making people aware of natural disaster reduction and increasing their preparedness for such situations.

In the past year, attention was focused on the devastating impact natural hazards that became disasters had on society. Hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives, infrastructure was destroyed, commerce was disrupted, and the world was shocked and sometimes paralyzed by the realities of what ‘Mother Nature’ could do. Natural disasters can also be devastating to wildlife, especially wildlife already threatened by other factors.

What is a disaster?
A disaster is the tragedy of a natural or human-made hazard that negatively affects society or the environment. (A hazard is a situation which poses a level of threat to life, health, property, or environment). A disaster can be defined as any tragic event which incurs great loss, from events such as earthquakes, floods, catastrophic accidents, fires, or explosions.

Disasters in 2009
In 2009 a series of disastrous events occurred. These include the following:

January in Costa Rica: At least 20 people were killed and thousands more were left homeless after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the verdant mountains of northern Costa Rica, setting off landslides.

In Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas: At least 23 people died due to severe storms that covered roads and power lines with snow and ice. Schools closed and more than a million homes were left without electricity.

February, Australia: Over 160 people died when arsonists started fires that resulted in about 400 wildfires—some of the worst wildfires in Australia’s history. Oklahoma, US: A cluster of tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma, killing eight people and injuring over a dozen more.

March, North Dakota and Minnesota, US: Flooding of the Red River caused the evacuation of about 150 homes in the Fargo, North Dakota area. The neighbouring town of Moorhead, MN was also evacuated and President Obama declared a state of emergency in Minnesota.

April, Italy: An earthquake of 6.3 magnitude struck central Italy, killing more than 200 people and injuring another 1,000. The town of L’Aquila was the epicenter of the earthquake but as many as 26 towns in the area were affected.

August, Philippines: At least 22 tourists on Mount Pinatubo were trapped and killed when heavy rain caused flooding and landslides.

Taiwan: Typhoon Morakot caused a mudslide that buried schools, homes, and at least 600 people in southern Taiwan.

September, Indonesia: About 60 people died when a 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit the island of Java which is the most populous area of the country.

Turkey: More than 30 people were killed when fast-moving floods caused by heavy rain swept through Istanbul.

Philippines: Almost 90 people died in and around Manila in flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana, which dropped about 17 inches of rain in 12 hours. The floods were Manila’s worst in about 50 years.

September, Indonesia: About 60 people died when a 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit the island of Java which is the most populous area of the country.

Turkey: More than 30 people were killed when fast-moving floods caused by heavy rain swept through Istanbul.

Philippines: Almost 90 people died in and around Manila in flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana, which dropped about 17 inches of rain in 12 hours. The floods were Manila’s worst in about 50 years.

August, Philippines: At least 22 tourists on Mount Pinatubo were trapped and killed when heavy rain caused flooding and landslides.

Taiwan: Typhoon Morakot caused a mudslide that buried schools, homes, and at least 600 people in southern Taiwan.

April, Italy: An earthquake of 6.3 magnitude struck central Italy, killing more than 200 people and injuring another 1,000. The town of L’Aquila was the epicenter of the earthquake but as many as 26 towns in the area were affected.

March, North Dakota and Minnesota, US: Flooding of the Red River caused the evacuation of about 150 homes in the Fargo, North Dakota area. The neighbouring town of Moorhead, MN was also evacuated and President Obama declared a state of emergency in Minnesota.

February, Australia: Over 160 people died when arsonists started fires that resulted in about 400 wildfires—some of the worst wildfires in Australia’s history. Oklahoma, US: A cluster of tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma, killing eight people and injuring over a dozen more.

These events confirm that disasters are a common phenomenon experienced in many countries. Fortunately, Guyana has not been a country with a history of severe natural disasters, but it is still important that we be aware of these occurrences and render support, whether moral or material, should this be required.

You can also share your ideas and questions by sending your letters to: ‘Our Environment’, C/O EIT Division. The Environmental Protection Agency, 7 Broad and Charles Streets, Charlestown, GEORGETOWN. Or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com with your questions and comments.