Effects of sudden onset disasters on the population

James Mwami
GTZ Integrated Pastoral Development Project, P. O. Box 964, Mbarara, Uganda.
Tel./Fax: +265-485-21395

Abstract:
There is a wide range of natural hazard types in the "sudden-onset" category and thus considerable variations in impacts in terms of water and sanitation. The principal sudden-impact hazards, in terms of mortality and numbers affected, are floods, cyclones and earthquakes.

This paper addresses the wide variation in handling each type of disaster and recommends the development of nations of good practice. It also outlines the various ways in which relief agencies and communities in known hazard-prone areas can use experience of previous hazard events to do appropriate interventions.