Support to Natural Calamity affected People
It's upsetting and heartbreaking to see the aftermath of a natural disaster. All too often, we see news about natural calamities taking lives of thousands people by destroying homes, and devastating entire towns. It's also important to deal with their feelings when you see people hurt by tragedy by losing their loved ones. The stress caused following a natural disaster can lead to ‘burnout’ and physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. Some people will be able to manage the stress but for others it may be difficult to cope. Most people eventually heal and recover and go on to rebuild their lives.
Persons affected by natural disasters should enjoy the same rights and freedoms under human rights law as others in their country and not be discriminated against.
The problems that are often encountered by persons affected by natural disasters include
- Unequal access to assistance.
- Discrimination in aid provision.
- Enforced relocation; sexual and gender-based violence.
- Loss of documentation.
- Recruitment of children into fighting forces.
It is generally accepted that the first priority is to protect life, personal security, and the physical integrity and dignity of affected populations by
- Carrying out evacuations and relocations when necessary in order to protect life.
- Protecting populations against the negative impacts of natural hazards.
- Protecting populations against violence, including gender-based violence.
- Providing security in camps when these are necessary.
A second category of rights are those related to basic necessities of life, including
- Access to goods and services and humanitarian assistance.
- Provision of adequate food, and sanitation, shelter, clothing and essential health services.
- Protection of other economic, social and cultural rights, including.
- Providing security in camps when these are necessary.
- Education.
- Property and possessions.
- Housing.
- Livelihood and work.