Understanding Disasters: Demystifying the Concept of Natural Disaster

Sergio Uilissone"

The term "natural disaster" is widely used to describe events such as cyclones, floods, droughts and other extreme weather events. However, this term is misleading and masks the true nature of disasters. Destruction caused by natural phenomena does not occur in isolation; it is amplified by human factors, such as disorderly land use, inadequate public policies and the absence of effective preventive measures.

With technological advances, the dissemination of information has become rapid and often inaccurate. We live in challenging times, where scientific concepts are often distorted, and influential figures — whether leaders, authorities or institutional representatives — end up perpetuating misconceptions that are taken as absolute truths.

As a researcher in the area of ​​Disaster Management and Climate Change, it is worrying to hear speeches full of conceptual flaws, often due to a lack of updating and clarification. Given this, some fundamental questions arise: What is a disaster? Are there natural disasters?

Objectively, a disaster occurs when there is significant loss of property, infrastructure, animals and human lives, exceeding the response capacity of governmental and non-governmental institutions. Based on this definition, it is necessary to clarify that not every extreme event results in a disaster, and not every disaster originates from natural phenomena.

An illustrative example is the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. It was the most talked about devastating event in the world, but can it be classified as a "natural disaster"? Obviously not, but rather a disaster of technological origin. This brings us to the central question: do natural disasters really exist?

Experts in the field argue that the classification of disasters must take into account their origin and impacts. Thus, they can be divided into two broad categories:

• Disasters of natural origin: resulting from natural phenomena, such as tropical cyclones, droughts, floods, earthquakes, storms.
• Disasters of technological origin: caused directly by human action, such as wars, industrial accidents, dam collapses and nuclear disasters.

Criticizing the "Natural Disaster" Myth

The insistence on the term “natural disaster” transfers responsibility for the consequences to nature, exempting governments and institutions from their obligation to prevent and mitigate risks. If a cyclone destroys an entire city, this is because the infrastructure was weak, the urban occupation was poorly planned or there was no efficient warning and evacuation system. The problem is not the natural phenomenon itself, but the vulnerability created by human action.

In the Mozambican context, institutions such as the National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (INGD) are often criticized for their reactive approach. The excessive focus on emergency response, rather than prevention and adaptation, demonstrates a flawed system that perpetuates the negative impacts of disasters. The lack of investment in resilient infrastructure and community education further aggravates the situation.

To overcome this mistaken view, it is essential that responsible institutions adopt a more effective approach, based on:

• Education and awareness, promoting a culture of prevention and risk management.
• Transparent resource management, avoiding waste and corruption.

2025/12/3