Disaster mitigation & rebuilding
Disasters caused by natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, storms, volcanoes and droughts are a major global problem. Every country is affected by natural hazards but consequences are most strongly felt in developing countries. Social and economic pressures make people more vulnerable by forcing them to live in more dangerous locations without the resource to protect themselves adequately. The interventions relating to disaster are presented in three areas; disaster mitigation looks at low cost but effective actions that can be taken in preparation of a potential disaster, disaster relief is undertaken in the immediate aftermath of an event and is not na area in which Practical Action specialises in, and disaster reconstruction looks at the more long term return to normality.
This Brief shows simple methods to make houses safer during earthquakes.
Lucky Low for The Appropriate Technology Magazine, updated by Otto Ruskulis, 2008, 11 pages