Humanitarian Response to Natural Disasters

This paper provides a broad and selective overview of the humanitarian system, and trends and issues relating to humanitarian responses to natural disasters.1 Key issues covered include:
• Humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence are the key underlying principles of humanitarian action;
• Natural disasters aren’t straightforwardly ‘natural’ – their natural and human dimensions are inextricably linked;
• While natural hazards often trigger disasters, disasters result from human vulnerability rather than simply from hazard events per se;
• Vulnerability to natural disaster is determined by social, economic, political and environmental variables;
• Effective development processes are critical to prevent and mitigate natural disasters therefore collaboration between humanitarian and development actors is essential; and,
• The response mechanisms used by the humanitarian community have at times been inappropriate or insufficient. There is currently significant reform of the humanitarian system underway.