Natural Disasters
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Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods can often come at the least expected time. Others, such as hurricanes and cyclones are increasing in severity and destruction. Typically, the poor are the worst hit for they have the least resources to cope and rebuild. This part of the globalissues.org web site looks at some of these issues.
Please note that this section is not an up-to-date news source as natural disaster events unfold. I do not have the capacity of massive news organizations to keep such items frequently updated. Instead, this section attempts to provide some additional perspectives and context regarding major natural disasters which are either global in scope, or are related to other global issues.
Media and Natural Disasters 
Media coverage of natural disasters seems to vary a lot depending on the disaster. Is it selective? Why do some regions get more attention than others? Even when millions have died in a region from conflict and war, how is it that a disaster that claims less in lives — sometimes in the same area, as in the case of the Democratic Republic of Congo — will bring in media interest and coverage? 2005 has recently seen a number of disasters and relief efforts, from the Asian tsunami, to the severe hurricanes and storms in the Caribbean, the earthquake in South Asia (Pakistan and India), and drought in parts of Africa. How has the media covered these? Posted Sunday, October 23, 2005.
Read article: Media and Natural Disasters
Hurricane Katrina
What is the most damaging hurricane in US history, in its wake hurricane Katrina has also left other issues, from the handling of the disaster, to the media reporting, and rebuilding issues. Last updated Sunday, November 13, 2005.
Read article: Hurricane Katrina
Asian Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster
Boxing day, 2004, one of the largest earthquakes in recorded history (measuring 9 on the Richter Scale), struck just off Sumatra, Indonesia, in a fault line running under the sea. The rupture caused massive waves, or tsunamis, that hurtled away from the epicenter, reaching shores as far away as Africa. At least 230,000 people were killed and the livelihoods of millions were destroyed in over 10 countries. This has been one of the biggest natural disasters in recent human history. Last updated Friday, January 07, 2005.
Read article: Asian Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster
Third World Debt and Disaster Recovery
When poor countries face natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and fires, the cost of rebuilding becomes even more of an issue when they are already burdened with debt. Often, poor countries suffer with many lost lives and/or livelihoods. Aid and disaster relief often does come in from international relief organizations, rich countries and international institutions, but sometimes poor countries are still paying millions of dollars a week back in the form of debt repayment. Third World Debt and Natural Disasters — Find out more. Posted Wednesday, December 29, 2004.
Read article: Third World Debt and Disaster Recovery
More Information
This section lists various sites and organizations that provide more information or news on disasters as they unfold, or on disaster relief and recovery. More Information. Posted Wednesday, December 29, 2004.
Read article: More Information
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Anup Shah, Natural Disasters, GlobalIssues.org, Last updated: Tuesday, September 13, 2005
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