Coping with Change What Happens when Disaster Strikes Presented by Shamali Perera Sandya Liyange Prasad Kumara Chaminda Shayamal Wp / Ke / Al Mubarak National School, Malwana

Why do we need to be prepared? Disasters can happen anytime and come in different forms. Most of them are related to the weather. Some are predictable -- like a storm. But some, like an earthquake, surprise us. They often happen quickly and without warning. Disasters can be frightening! It’s good to know about the different kinds of disasters so we can be prepared.

Our Role and Objectives Our group took on the role of natural hazards researchers. We researched and learnt about the different types of natural disasters. We focused on landslides. We worked together as a team and offered suggestions to help natural disaster victims and how to be prepared to face such events.

What implications does change have for people? In each person's life, it is probable that there will be some impact in their lives as a result of at least one natural disaster. It is often said of people people who have experienced natural disasters that “there is no such thing as a complete recovery - disasters can forever change our way of living”.

What are Natural Disasters? Definition:  A disaster caused by natural forces rather than by human action, e.g. an earthquake The difference between a Natural Hazard and a Natural Disaster: A natural hazard is a situation which has the potential to create an event that has an effect on people. They result from natural processes in the environment and some natural hazards are related - earthquakes can result in tsunamis, drought can lead directly to famine and disease, and so on. Natural disasters are the consequences or effects of natural hazards. It results in widespread destruction of property and causes injury or even death.

Types of Natural Disasters Landslides Floods Earthquakes Volcanoes Tsunami Avalanches Forest fires Cyclones

Landslides The purpose of our research was to find out: The causes of landslides How it affects human lives How we can help those affected by landslides What measures can be taken to prevent future landslides Photo: Landslide during the 2001 El Salvador quake, courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey, Source: http://landslides.usgs.gov/learning/images/foreign/ElSalvadorslide.jpg

Causes In a landslide, masses of rock, earth, or debris move down a slope. Landslides may be small or large, slow or rapid. Landslides are caused by: Clearing forests for housing, building roads, setting up industries Clearing forests for food cultivation Large scale mining ( gem mines ) Large dams and reservoirs built for various purposes Excessive rainfall spread over a long period of time.  No proper drainage system

Landslide risk zones in Sri Lanka Mountainous regions, hilly regions, and coastlines have the greatest occurrence of landslides. Places most vulnerable to landslides: Nuwara Eliya Ratnapura Kandy Kegalle Galle Matara Hambantota

Effects of Landslides Loss of life (Human, animal, plant) Damage to property Injured and trapped persons near the landslide Damaged roadways and railways Broken water lines and other underground utility lines “Disaster kills, causes confusion and changes our lives for years.”

How can we help? Collect funds from the community Contribute food items and clothing Donate blood for the needy Support relief and government agencies which work to alleviate the worst affected areas.

Action Plan We will work to establish an annual food and fund drive at our school to help disaster victims in our local community and in the most needed areas of the world. Conduct awareness programs and workshops Listen to local radio or television stations for the latest emergency information so that people can be moved from places at risk Persuade government officials to enforce strict laws against unauthorized gem mining and clearing of forests Mobilize the need to get the assistance of Geologists while planning and building new roads, industrial sites, dams and reservoirs

References: http://landslides.usgs.gov/ http://www.fema.gov/hazard/landslide/index.shtm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_disaster http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861696697/natural_disaster.html http://www.unesco.org/science/disaster/about_disaster.shtml www.sundayobserver.lk/2002/05/12/fea07.html www.ussartf.org/landslides.htm Microsoft Encarta