About disasters

What is a disaster?

What is a disaster?

A disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts the functioning of a community or society and causes human, material, and economic or environmental...

Types of disasters

Types of disasters: Definition of hazard

Threatening event, or probability of occurrence of a potentially damaging phenomenon within a given time period and area. (Source: EM-DAT ). Natural hazards are...

Aggravating factors

Aggravating factors

There are a range of challenges, such as climate change, unplanned-urbanization, under-development/poverty as well as the threat of pandemics, that will shape ...

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 187 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. About this site & copyright