Natural disasters
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© UNICEF/IDSA11/Estey |
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Relief for earthquake victims through psychosocial activities in IDP camps in Indonesia |
The Issues
Every year, typhoons and cyclones slam into our region’s coastal countries and islands, unleashing destructive floods and landslides. Torrential rains alternate with periods of drought. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions rattle countries perched along the Pacific Rim of Fire, provoking other calamities such as the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004. And the situation is getting worse.
- Increased frequency. In the first half of the 20th century, the world witnessed an average of 12 disasters a year. By the second half, the number had risen to 163 because of population growth, urbanization, deforestation and climate change.
- Regional vulnerability. Our region is highly prone to natural disasters, with China suffering the highest number of disasters in our region over the past three decades. In the past century, the ten most deadly natural disasters occurred in Asia, seven of them in China.
- Disparities. Natural disasters lay bare our region’s widening disparities. Developing nations often do not have the resources or the capacity to cope with natural disasters and their aftermath.
- Impact on children. Children are more likely to perish during natural disasters or, later, succumb to malnutrition, injuries or communicable diseases. Their development is jeopardized. Children also suffer greatly from the psychosocial and economic consequences of natural disasters.
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© UNICEF/EAP02901//YR |
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Three generations find refuge after a tsunami destroys their home in Thailand |
UNICEF in Action
When natural disasters strike, UNICEF is on the ground immediately in response to its mandate to protect and assist children’s and women’s rights and development. Our emergency activities include:
- Restoring basic services such as health, education, water and sanitation, and overseeing rehabilitation and long-term reconstruction;
- Providing psychosocial and other support for young survivors;
- Supporting governments in developing emergency preparedness plans;
- Conducting disaster-preparedness training for children and young people; and
- Developing indicators that guide decision-makers on how to address the needs of children and young people during emergencies.
