Definition, Classification and Management Stages of Disasters
A disaster is a general term given to natural, technological or human-induced events and/or their consequences that cause physical, economic, social, cultural, natural and environmental losses for the whole society or certain segments of it, halting or disrupting normal life and human activities, and for which the affected society does not have sufficient coping capacity. According to the Turkish Language Association (TDK), a disaster is defined as destruction caused by various natural events. For an event to be classified as a disaster, it is not sufficient for it to have occurred; it must also have resulted in loss of life and property, disrupted the ecological balance, eliminated normal life, and necessitated external assistance. A disaster is not the event itself, but the consequences it produces.
Disasters can be classified in various ways according to their sources, speeds, areas of impact, and magnitudes.
Disasters According to Their Sources
Disasters are generally examined in three categories: Natural Disasters, Human-Caused Disasters, and Technological Disasters. Institutions such as AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) adopt a dual classification (Natural and Man-made/Technological).
1. Natural Disasters: These are disasters largely dependent on natural events. They occur beyond human control and are generally unpreventable, but their risks can be mitigated by taking precautions.
- Geologically-Caused Disasters: These are disasters caused by movements in the Earth's crust, which begin suddenly and cause widespread destruction. They include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, rockfalls, mud and debris flows, tsunamis and sinkholes. In our country, geological disasters other than tsunamis and volcanic eruptions are frequently observed.
- Climatological and Meteorological Disasters: These are disasters caused by water and atmospheric events, the frequency and severity of which are increasing due to climate change. These include floods, avalanches, storms, tornadoes, droughts, extreme heat/cold, hail, fog, blizzards, lightning strikes, and forest fires. The most common meteorological natural disasters in Turkey are hail, floods, flash floods, frost, forest fires, drought, strong winds, lightning, avalanches and snowstorms. Of the 31 types of natural disasters worldwide, 28 are meteorological in origin.
- Biological Disasters: These include epidemics, insect infestations, and animal disease outbreaks.
- Hydrographic Disasters: These are disasters originating from rivers, lakes, and seas (coastal erosion, rising groundwater levels).
2. Human-Caused (Man-Made) and Technological Disasters: These are disasters in which humans play a significant role, either intentionally or unintentionally.
- Technological Disasters: Industrial accidents (chemical spills, explosions, fires), nuclear/radiological incidents, transport accidents (road, air, sea, rail) and infrastructure failures.
- Social Disasters: Wars, terrorist incidents, internal conflicts, and mass human movements (migration, refugee crises). Terrorism also includes CBRN threats (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear).
Disasters Based on Speed of Occurrence
1. Rapidly Developing Natural Disasters: These are disasters that give people very little time to prepare. Earthquakes, flash floods, avalanches and volcanic eruptions fall into this group. Earthquakes are generally the fastest developing disasters, lasting only a few seconds.
2. Slow-Developing Natural Disasters: These are disasters that can grow over time through chain reactions and cover a long period. Drought, desertification, climate change, erosion and famine belong to this group. Drought is distinct from other disasters due to the difficulty of determining its beginning and end, and its effects can continue for years after the event has ended.
Stages of Disaster Management
Disaster management is an integrated chain of activities carried out before, during, and after a disaster. It consists of four basic stages:
1. Mitigation: Long-term structural (earthquake-resistant buildings, flood barriers) and non-structural (risk maps, land use planning) measures taken to minimise the negative effects of disasters.
2. Preparedness: Continuous activities carried out before a disaster to enable a rapid and effective response, such as planning, training, drills, establishing early warning systems, and stockpiling emergency supplies. Raising public awareness about disasters is critical at this stage.
3. Response: This is the most critical phase, beginning immediately after a disaster occurs. It encompasses activities such as initial reporting, ensuring safety, search and rescue, first aid, triage, evacuation, temporary shelter, provision of food/drink, and ensuring communication.
4. Recovery/Rebuilding: This is the set of activities undertaken in the post-disaster period to re-establish normal life. These include temporary shelter solutions (tents, containers), repairing infrastructure, restoring public buildings to working order, and restarting economic and social activities.