Is there an increase in natural disasters? 

The total natural disasters reported each year has been steadily increasing in recent decades, from 78 in 1970 to 348 in 2004, according to the EM-DAT. The Center for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) suggests that a portion of that increase is artificial. However, about two-thirds of the increase is real and the result of rises in hydro-meteorological disasters. These disasters include droughts, tsunamis, hurricanes, typhoons and floods and have been increasing over the past 25 years.

Why are natural disasters increasing?

Scientists believe the increase in hydro-meteorological disasters is due to a combination of natural and man-made factors. Global warming is increasing the temperatures of the Earth's oceans and atmosphere, leading to more intense storms of all types, including hurricanes. People are also tempting nature with rapid and unplanned urbanization in flood-prone regions, increasing the likelihood that their towns and villages will be affected by flash floods and coastal floods. Nowadays, large land areas are also getting covered with more cement so this means that the flow of water becomes very strong.

What are the human and economic losses?

The human and economic losses caused by natural disasters in 2008 were devastating. More than 235,000 people were killed, 214 million people were affected and economic costs were over 190 billion USD. In 2008, 354 natural disasters were recorded, which is less than the 2000-2007 yearly average of 397. However, disaster costs in 2008 were more than twice the 82 billion USD annual average for 2000-2007. Asia remained the most affected continent in 2008 followed by the Americas and Africa. The good news is that the number of deaths from natural disasters has decreased substantially in recent decades thanks to better disaster preparedness and prevention programs. But this statistic is tempered by the fact that more people are being injured, displaced or left homeless.

How are children affected by natural disasters?

More than anyone else, children are the ones suffering the most from the devastating effects of natural disasters. When a disaster occurs, parents struggle to calm the nerves of their injured children, many of whom are inevitably traumatized or in a state of shock. The loss of loved ones and the trauma of going through such terrifying experiences leave deep emotional scars. Even once the immediate relief operation is over, children still require a lot of assistance. Educational facilities are often destroyed and many children are left with little support, while parents are inevitably involved in cleaning and other recovery activities. As a consequence, children are found to be emotionally struck by the tragedy, and exhibit behavior including crying, fear, and inability to communicate and express their reactions and emotions to the event.

What steps need to be taken to help children recover?

It is vital that the situation of children is monitored to ensure that they are protected from all forms of exploitation and that they continue to enjoy their basic rights, including the right to education. The immediate reconstruction of schools constitutes a key element after a disaster because it allows children to return to a partial state of normality and to replace emotional crises with the joy of being around other children and having a space in which to learn and play at the same time.

Are there any other benefits of school rebuilding?

Communities also benefit from the reconstruction of schools. While children are attending classes, parents and community members are able to focus on the return to daily work, which will be fundamental to feed their families. The return to work activities, mainly agricultural ones, also allows communities to rise again and contribute to the rebuilding of a devastated economy.

How is the gap between first response and the rebuilding phase created?

A typical disaster response phase consists of immediate relief, reconstruction and recovery phases. Across these stages, some problems arise over what, when, and how disaster aid is delivered. When disasters occur, Government agencies like firefighters, police officers, or the civil defense are the first ones to arrive but once first emergency is over and the devastating effects are left on the ground, this large-scale “help machine” often seems to suddenly slow down and communities are left with little if not nothing to rise again. The gap between the first response and the rebuilding phase is created. The often high internal debt of many underdeveloped and developing countries forces Governments to look for external help, to international agencies and non-profit foundations’ support.

What is happens during the first response, recovery and reconstruction phases?

The aim of the recovery phase is to restore the affected area to its previous state. It differs from the first response phase in its focus; recovery efforts are concerned with issues and decisions that must be made after immediate needs are addressed. Recovery efforts are also primarily concerned with actions that involve rebuilding destroyed property, re-employment, and the repair of other essential infrastructure. Reconstruction is the final stage of the disaster cycle and communities can take up to 5-6 years to recover, in some cases up to 10 years. Poor communities and minority groups have the most difficulty in returning their lives to normal. It is also necessary to assess whether the reasons for relocation are technically correct before planning to relocate people or entire villages. It is equally important to identify local vulnerabilities and determine how to reduce them in ways that lead to durable solutions by using disaster-proof materials.