PMID: 9170231Jan 1, 1996Paper

Disasters in Africa: old and new hazards and growing vulnerability

World Health Statistics Quarterly. Rapport Trimestriel De Statistiques Sanitaires Mondiales
A Loretti, Y Tegegn

Abstract

Disasters occur when hazards and vulnerability meet. Out of 100 disasters reported worldwide, only 20 occur in Africa, but Africa suffers 60% of all disaster-related deaths. This is probably due to the type of hazards that affect this continent, to under-reporting, and to the fact that under the circumstances prevailing in Africa, it is easy for any disaster to escalate and multiply its impact. Africa's natural hazards are mainly epidemics, endemic diseases, drought, floods, agricultural pests and bush fires, but some areas are also susceptible to earthquakes, cyclones and volcanic eruptions. The natural hazards interact with manmade ones, such as armed conflicts, air, road and railway incidents, other industrial hazards such as mining accidents, chemical spills, etc., and with widespread vulnerability. The context is one of rapid population growth, forced movements of population, environmental degradation, precarious urbanization, food insecurity, poverty, fragile economies, infrastructures and institutions, and cultural and political instability. The 53 countries of the continent are highly susceptible and vulnerable and their 761,390,000 people are exposed to both natural and manmade hazards. Through complex causal chains, d...Continue Reading

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