(introduction...)

In earlier chapters, the discussion about disasters and emergencies resulting from natural and human-made hazards has been developed in general terms. However, each hazard has its own characteristics. To understand the significance and implications of a particular type of disaster we must have a basic understanding about the nature, causes and effects of each hazard type.

The list of hazard types is very long. Many occur infrequently or impact a very small population. Other hazards, such as severe snowstorms, often occur in areas that are prepared to deal with them and seldom become disasters. However, from the perspective of a disaster victim it is not particularly useful to distinguish between minor and major disasters. Some disasters are now of limited interest to the international community. These include avalanches, fog, frost, hail, lightning, snowstorms, and tornadoes. The international interest is less for these hazards because their impacts affect relatively few people and the countries in which they normally occur have sufficient resources and systems in place to respond without external assistance.

There are several hazard types for which there is widespread concern. They can be categorized as follows:

	Sudden onset hazards - (geological and climatic hazards) earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, tropical storms, volcanic eruptions, landslides
	Slow onset hazards - (environmental hazards) drought, famine, environmental degradation, desertification, deforestation, pest infestation
	Industrial/technological - system failures/accidents, spillages, explosions, fires
	Wars and civil strife - armed agression, insurgency, terrorism, and other actions leading to displaced persons and refugees
	Epidemics - water and/or food-borne diseases, person-to-person diseases (contact and respiratory spread), vector-borne diseases and complications from wounds

These hazard types are highlighted in this training material. The international community has an interest in them because they frequently affect large populations and the need for outside assistance is evident. Many disasters are themselves international events and have an impact on entire regions.

A brief description of each hazard type is presented below. It will be your responsibility to determine which hazards are of concern to your country and then to read the material about them.

Q. Which hazards are of concern to your country?
A. List the most important hazards in order of their severity of impact. 1. ___________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________ 3. ___________________________________________________________ 4. ___________________________________________________________

Now learn more about each of these hazards in the material that follows.

Geological Hazards
	Earthquakes
	Tsunamis
	Volcanic eruptions
	Landslides
Climatic Hazards
	Tropical cyclones
	Floods
	Drought
Environmental Hazards
	Environmental pollution
	Deforestation
	Desertification
	Pest Infestation
Epidemics
Industrial Accidents