This document discusses the types and impacts of natural and man-made disasters, who they affect, and the roles of first responders. Disasters can be sudden, intense events that disrupt infrastructure and diminish resources for individuals, families, communities and larger regions. They pose both short and long-term health risks, especially for vulnerable groups like children and under-resourced communities. First responders come from various government and non-government organizations who work to prepare for, respond to, and aid in long-term recovery from disasters through services, assessment, referral and rebuilding coordination over time.

3. Disaster
Natural
Man-
made
• Sudden
• Intense
• Catastrophic

4. Who is the victim?
• Individuals
• Family
• Community
• State / Nation

5. Large-scale disasters disrupt physical,
social, and communication
infrastructures and diminish coping
resources and social supports and
pose both temporary and long-term
threats to physical and psychological
health

6. • All persons exposed to disasters are
vulnerable
• High risk subgroups including children and
under-resourced ethnic minority communities
• They are at high risk for poor outcomes

7. First responders
• First responders include
– Govt. helping agencies
– Voluntary helping agencies
– Nurses and other medical staff from public health
and medical clinics and hospitals
– Emergency response agencies
– Schools
– Faith-based groups
– Neighborhood associations

8. Role of Responders
Preparedness (outreach, training)
Response (assessment, services, referral)
Recovery (services rebuilding and
coordination)

9. Temporal Dimension of Disaster

15. Community approaches for disaster victims

18. Questions & Comments