There are several levels of poverty from an individual to national level and earthquake disasters impact at all levels. The 2010 Haiti earthquake struck in the most densely populated area of the country, As More than 78% per cent of Haitian residents live in poverty and Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere the buildings in Port-Au-Prince and other areas of Haiti were in very poor condition in general and were not designed or constructed to be earthquake resistant. The primary earthquake hazard directly responsible for mortality is surface seismic waves which cause ground shaking. This poses a huge hazard as buildings and other structures collapse, killing or injuring their occupants. This was the case in Sichuan, China in 2008 where severe ground shaking was the direct cause of death, injury and the catastrophic destruction of hospitals, roads and other infrastructure.
There are 3 alternative futures, business as usual scenario which will be unattainable in the long term, water crisis, which is the most worrying of all which shows mismanagement of water resources or climate change, threatening the water and food supplies. This could potentially lead to a wider geographical problem such as conflicts. The last is sustainable water, which suggests stabilising consumption and human environmental impacts. One player is ‘WaterAid’ an international non governmental organisation, who are non-profit, voluntary citizens group. NGOs usually focus in developing countries, where many are in poverty have very little basic resources if any.
The timing of the Great Depression started in 1930 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s. It was the longest, most widespread, and deepest depression of the 20th century. In the 21st century, the Great Depression is commonly used as an example of how far the world's economy can decline. Cities all around the world were hit hard, especially those dependent on heavy industry. Farming and rural areas suffered as crop prices fell by approximately 60%.
There are many disadvantages to hard engineering that can effect not only the environment but people. The main disadvantages to hard engineering are that for one they are very aesthetically displeasing to some people and can take up a vast amount of room. Two, they are incredibly expensive for the amount that is usually used. Another problem is that if a sea wall breaks during a storm then the effects of that storm will seem a lot worse just like in river’s where if a levee breaks during a flood the effects are a lot worse. Another thing with hard engineering, going back to the costs is that not all of the countries in the world can afford to have hard engineering management strategies.
The one traumatic natural disaster I have experienced was Hurricane Fran. Living on the southern east coast of the United States you are susceptible to hurricanes. Hurricane Fran hit the east coast on Sept 5th, 1996. The wind got high as 125 MPH causing over two million people to go without electricity. The heavy rainfall flooded areas inland all the way up to the Virginias.
They don’t use inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, machinery, or irrigation (Haggerty, 1989). Much of these items can’t work for them or they can’t afford them. They have nearly 130 irrigation systems, but many lack up to date maintenance, clogged with silk, or provide irregular water supplies (Haggerty, 1989). With all of these issues Haiti is need of help. The U.S. can help along with other strong counties.
Just over 50% of the population had been immunized against infectious diseases before the earthquake, well below the World Health Organization goal of 90%. According to figures from the Ministry of Public Health and Population, there are also approximately 4,000 amputees that need ongoing support, which is particularly devastating in a country where the majority of the population travels by foot or bicycle (Office of Haiti Special Coordinator, 2011). Cholera is an outbreak caused by the lack of clean water and washing facilities. Clean water and soap will dramatically slow the disease from spreading. There was a Cholera outbreak in Haiti due to the lack of these two basic necessities.
Secondary effects include respiration problems from the plumes of smoke, land slides from soil erosion, and economic losses. As the fires burn large plumes of smoke begin to saturate the air and make the quality of air very poor for breathing. According to (usgs.gov) over 70% of people were affected by respiratory problems from poor air quality in and around the San Diego area during the 2007 wildfires. Another secondary impact of wildfires is soil erosion. Soil erosion occurs when the land is depleted of valuable nutrients making it susceptible to landslides and mudslides in the wet
There are many issues that can cause people to become under nourished. Some reasons like poverty, climate and environmental changes, and political instability. Rwanda, which is situated in East Africa, has all three of these issues. In Rwanda, sixty percent of the civilians live below the national poverty line which is 44 cents per day (Huggins 297). Rwanda has also been undergoing climate changes like higher temperatures, change in seasonal patterns, floods, and droughts (Olwoch and Watkiss).
That is why people flee their home-countries to seek a shelter from danger threatens them. For instance, Kiribati Island that is situated in Pacific Ocean often suffers from the natural disasters. The most recent disaster to impact Kiribati was a flood in late 2008, which affected 85 people. In 1999, a drought affected 84,000people. Kiribati has a lack of natural resources because of the earthquakes