Disasters affect millions of people every year causing damage to their health, homes, and lives. It’s impossible to eliminate disaster risk completely. But, with certain proactive measures and activities, we can significantly reduce disaster impact.
1. International Day of Disaster Reduction
International Day of Disaster Reduction is celebrated every year on October 13. It aims to emphasize the progress that people and communities make in reducing their exposure to disasters.
Disasters occur in all parts of the world. But, their impact is larger in low- and middle-income countries.
This is why one of the main purposes of the International Day of Disaster Reduction is to highlight activities that make positive changes in the parts of the world that are prone to disasters. It is crucial to reduce the number of people affected.
We need to take certain actions and invest in disaster risk reduction. Only then we can expect some improvements in lowering hunger and poverty rates around the world.
2. Natural Disaster Impacts And How To Prepare
Natural disasters can have different negative effects on individuals, communities, and the environment.
Besides physical injuries, they can also have a psychological and emotional impact on individuals. People often develop different post-traumatic disorders that can lead to depression and anxiety.
Natural disasters sometimes leave people homeless. But, the bigger ones can also cause vast damage to the whole city. Many people remain homeless and injured. The communities have to deal with power outages, economic losses, and infrastructural damage.
Even though we can’t avoid natural disasters, we take certain actions to be prepared for them and mitigate their impact on our lives.
Make a plan
Having a good plan is crucial in any emergency. It is important to consider all the important steps and include them in your emergency plan. Think of the best meeting point where you would meet your family in case of an emergency.
Make sure to prepare electrical backups. During natural disasters, your electric providers may turn off the electricity to protect the grid and people’s lives. So, it is good to be ready for this possibility.
Also, gather the contact information of your family members and reliable hospitals in Texas.
Be informed
Natural disasters happen randomly and can be unpredictable. Therefore, it is important to always stay informed. Learn about the local climate, evacuation routes and destinations, and other important details. If you are well-informed you will be prepared to act according to the situation timely.
Get involved
When your family and you are prepared for the emergency you can move on try to do something for the community, as well. It is important that all members take part and help prepare the community. Helping your neighbors can be a great first step.
3. Natural Disaster Action Guide
Natural disasters cause a lot of trouble and people need to be informed and ready to reduce their impacts.
Good planning is crucial for making dealing with emergency situations much easier. Therefore, it is important to determine priorities as the first step. Knowing the needs and capabilities is another important thing.
One side effect of many natural disasters is power outages from your electric providers.
Even the best electric companies in Houston and other parts of Texas can face a lot of difficulties during natural disasters. They need to restore the power as soon as possible and this is not always easy.
Power outages in extreme weather are dangerous and sometimes can last for days. So, it is important to have a disaster prep kit readily available.
Now, what is a disaster prep kit and what does it include? It is a package that contains some basic supplies and tools that you may need in case of an emergency. There are different types and sizes of emergency kits but they all usually contain these items.
- Water
- Food
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Can opener
Once you prepare and pack your disaster prep kit, make sure to keep it in a dry and cool place and check and update it regularly.
Final thoughts
It is important to be ready to protect your home and your loved ones’ lives in unexpected situations. Being well-informed and prepared can help you reduce the impact that natural disasters can have on your life, home, and community. So, don’t forget to educate yourself on this topic.