Human beings respond very differently to disaster, whether its occurrence is natural or is induced by man. Natural disasters occur as a result of the dynamic nature of life and processes on earth and are not influenced by man’s activities altogether (Ragheb 1). Actually, the occurrence of natural disasters is totally out of human control. Examples of natural disasters may include floods, earthquakes and land and mudslides (Ragheb 2). Human-induced disasters occur as a result of the implications of man’s activities on the face of the earth for which man has control (Ragheb 52). Man-made disasters are attributed to human error which could have otherwise been averted or prevented (Ragheb 93). Man-made disasters may include the explosions and radiations resulting from nuclear reactors and effects of fire resulting from man-made fires (Ragheb 2).
The effects of both natural and man-made disaster have an almost similar influence on human life as far as disaster preparedness and mitigation are concerned. For example, the need for various forms of insurance is very significant in disaster preparedness. To cover oneself from loss of life or vital body parts, one may be forced to take life or injury based insurance or even medical insurance to be able to cover the costs associated with damages arising from disasters (Sawada 2).
Disasters may affect different individuals differently. For example, the occurrence of an earthquake or a man-induced fire may lead to loss of life in one household, loss of livestock or farm crops in another household or even cause permanent disabilities (Sawada 3). Due to the similarities on the impacts natural or man-made disasters, the possibilities of finding almost similar mitigation approaches is almost inevitable. This is because as much as the occurrences may be different in nature, the damages caused may be similar or almost similar.
Works Cited
Ragheb, M. "Natural disasters and man made accidents." 2015.
Sawada, Yasuyuki. The Impact of Natural and Manmade Disasters on Household Welfare. Tokyo: Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo Japan, 2006.
