PPN Disaster Handbook
What is a Disaster?
While this may seem like a simple question, organizations have different definitions.
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United Nations Children’s Fund“A disaster is an occurrence disrupting the normal conditions of existence and causing a level of suffering that exceeds the capacity of adjustment of the affected community.” |
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International Federation of Red Cross“Disasters are serious disruptions to the functioning of a community that exceed its capacity to cope using its own resources.” |
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United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction“A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society at any scale due to hazardous events interacting with conditions of exposure, vulnerability and capacity, leading to one or more of the following: human, material, economic and environmental losses and impacts.” |
Bottom Line
The common theme that runs throughout all of these definitions is that a disaster is some kind of disruptive event that creates a scenario where needs overwhelm the existing resources or capacity.
The impact of an event may vary based on the type of disaster and who is affected. Preparation and planning are key.
References:
- UNICEF: C4D in Emergency Response
- International Federation of Red Cross: What is a disaster?
- UNDRR: Disaster
Written by Dennis Ren
Last updated: 6/6/2025