Natural disasters: causes - consequences - prevention

摘要

Losses from natural hazards have been mounting continuously over the past few decades. The effects of great natural disasters in particular are increasing dramatically. The reasons for this development may be attributed to the growth in the world's population and in the value of people's belongings. Natural disasters are natural events that occur in regions where humans and their settlements are found. This applies, with growing significance, in highly exposed areas such as flood plains and coastaland mountain regions. Additionally, the awareness of existing natural hazards has been reduced substantially by preparedness and protection measures as well as by a greater readiness to take risks, especially when it comes to leisure activities. Risk awareness, however, is the crucial condition for effective loss prevention, which is achieved by the joint and integrated action of the public sector, the people concerned and the insurance industry.