What is a disaster

Now think of the word "disaster" and pay attention to the images that come to your mind. The falling trees caused by a strong typhoon? Roads and cars submerged in water? A sudden global pandemic? Or a wrecked vehicle tumbled off the road? 

Now think of the word "disaster" and pay attention to the images that come to your mind.

Falling trees caused by a strong typhoon?

Roads and cars submerged in water?

A sudden global pandemic?

A wrecked vehicle tumbled off the road?

A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society at any scale due to hazardous events interacting with conditions of exposure, vulnerability and capacity, leading to one or more of the following: human, material, economic and environmental losses and impacts^[1].

- United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

In Hong Kong, some of the common disasters are:

• Typhoons
• Floods
• Fires
• Thunderstorms & Lightning
• Extreme Heat
• Infectious Diseases

One of the ways to better equip ourselves against disasters is to get to know about them. In this section, you may find:

• How to reduce the harm of disasters: Understand the different phases of disaster and find out about what to do in each phase to reduce disaster-triggered impacts.
• Who will be affected: Understand the affected population and their challenges in a disaster, as well as the vulnerable groups in a disaster.
• What are the impacts of disaster: Understand how disasters affect your physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral functioning.
• Disaster Psychological Services in Hospital Authority: Introduce relevant services in HA for the public and staff, so that you know where to seek help when necessary.