- Landslides - World Health Organization (WHO)
Landslides are more widespread than any other geological event, and can occur anywhere in the world They occur when large masses of soil, rocks or debris move down a slope due to a natural phenomenon or human activity Mudslides or debris flows are also a common type of fast-moving landslide Landslides can accompany heavy rains or follow droughts, earthquakes or volcanic eruptions Areas
- Tsunamis - World Health Organization (WHO)
Tsunamis are giant waves that are produced when a large volume of water is displaced in an ocean or large lake by an earthquake, volcanic eruption, underwater landslide or meteorite Between 1998-2017, tsunamis caused more than 250 000 deaths [KC1] globally, including more than 227 000 deaths due to the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004
- September 2024 Floods and Landslides
In the third week of September, Nepal experienced heavy and continuous rainfall, which caused widespread destruction across 21 districts, with seven being severely affected Over 50 health facilities sustained damage The relentless downpours led to severe flooding, landslides and road blockages, disrupting transportation, livelihoods and public safety on a large scale
- Floods - World Health Organization (WHO)
Floods are the most frequent type of natural disaster and occur when an overflow of water submerges land that is usually dry Floods are often caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt or a storm surge from a tropical cyclone or tsunami in coastal areas Floods can cause widespread devastation, resulting in loss of life and damages to personal property and critical public health infrastructure
- Volcanic eruptions - World Health Organization (WHO)
Volcanic eruptions can pose multiple health threats depending on the proximity of the volcano to the community and whether there was any warning acute and chronic respiratory diseases from falling ash and breathing gases and fumes burns and traumatic injuries, such as lacerations from falling rock Ash and chemicals from the eruption can also generate risk of food and water contamination, and
- Earthquakes - World Health Organization (WHO)
Earthquakes can strike suddenly and without warning An earthquake is a violent and abrupt shaking of the ground, caused by movement between tectonic plates along a fault line in the earth’s crust Earthquakes can result in the ground shaking, soil liquefaction, landslides, fissures, avalanches, fires and tsunamis The extent of destruction and harm caused by an earthquake depends on
- Ambient (outdoor) air pollution
WHO fact sheet on ambient (outdoor) air quality guidelines: includes key facts, definition, health effects, guideline values and WHO response
- Risk communication and community engagement
Risk communication is the real-time exchange of information, advice and opinions between experts or officials and people who face a hazard or threat to their survival, health, or economic or social wellbeing The purpose of risk communication is to enable people at risk to make informed decisions to mitigate the effects of a threat (hazard) – such as a disease outbreak – and take
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