Disasters continue to occur on a massive global scale. Here in the US, California alone has been beseiged by
mudslides and earthquakes, while the Midwest has flooded and Florida was ravaged by Hurricane Hugo.
At Risk focuses on the underlying social causes of disasters, and suggests ways to integrate them with the natural
science causes. The book examines vulnerability, which is central to an understanding of disasters and their prevention.
The authors analyze access to various resources, which gives a precise measure of a community's vulnerability,
and then applies the concepts laid out to various "hazards that become disasters:" famines and drought,
floods, biological hazards, coastal storms, earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides. The final section draws on the
findings to suggest pratical and policy solutions for a safer and less vulnerable environment.
Published in the fourth year of the International Decade of Natural Hazard Reduction, At Risk is an important contribution
to the literature on disasters and development.
Table of Contents
Preface
Part I Framework and Theory
1. The Challenge of Disasters and our Approach
2. Disaster Pressure and Release Model
3. Access to Resources and Coping in Adversity
Part II Vulnerability and Hazard Types
4. Famine and Natural Hazards
5. Biological Hazards
6. Floods
7. Severe Coastal Storms
8. Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Landslides
Part III Action for Disaster Reduction
9. Vulnerability, Relief and Reconstruction
10. Towards a Safer Environment Bibliography Index
