UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DE MOÇAMBIQUE

INSTITUTO DE EDUCAÇÃO À DISTÂNCIA

Tema do Trabalho:
ESSAY ON THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF NATURAL DISASTERS

Docente: Nome e Código do Estudante:

Lawrence Nhemachena Faustina Lobo Rocha Segurar
708212820

Curso: Licenciatura em Ensino de Geografia

Disciplina: Inglês
Ano de Frequência: 1º Ano

MILANGE, MAIO DE 2022

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 Capa 0.5
 Índice 0.5
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Estrutura
organizacionais
 Discussão 0.5
 Conclusão 0.5
 Bibliografia 0.5
 Contextualização
(Indicação clara do 1.0
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Introdução  Descrição dos
1.0
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 Metodologia adequada
2.0
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 Articulação e domínio
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cuidada, coerência /
coesão textual)
Análise e
 Revisão bibliográfica
discussão
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internacionais 2.
relevantes na área de
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 Exploração dos dados 2.0
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Índice

1. Introduce ......................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1. Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 2

1.1.1. General ............................................................................................................................ 2

1.1.2. Specifics .......................................................................................................................... 2

1.2. Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 2

2. Concept of Natural Disasters........................................................................................................... 3

2.1. Causes and Consequences of Natural Disasters ...................................................................... 4

2.2. Cause and Consequences of Natural Disasters in Mozambique ............................................. 6

3. Conclusion....................................................................................................................................... 8

4. Reference’s Bibliographical ............................................................................................................ 9

1. Introduce
Due to its geographical location, Mozambique is often beset by natural disasters. The uneven
distribution of rainfall throughout the year and rainfall of varying intensity are the main
causes of floods and droughts. Tornadoes and cyclones further contribute to increasing the
country's vulnerability to catastrophic floods.

This work aims to talk about the causes and consequences of natural disasters. Created in
1999, the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC) has been promoting and
promoting, in the country, the modernization of existing strategies and the implementation of
new concepts for the protection of the population against the effects of natural disasters.

The work is structured in such a way as to facilitate and provide solid bases for a good
understanding of the topic in question. In order to leverage the topic in question, in the
development of the work we will address the following aspects: concept of natural disasters,
their causes and consequences in the world in general and in Mozambique in particular.

The work has the following structure: cover; Feedback Sheet; Sheet for improvement
recommendations: To be filled in by the tutor; index; introduction; objectives; methodology;
analysis and discussion (development); final considerations (conclusion); and bibliographic
references.

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1.1.Objectives
1.1.1. General
 Write a written essay on the causes and consequences of natural disasters

1.1.2. Specifics
 Set the concept of natural disasters
 Identify natural disasters
 Mention the causes and consequences of natural disasters

1.2.Methodology
The present work was carried out based on the rules of publication of kinetic works of the
UCM. For the development of the theme in question, we resorted to reading several literary
works, articles and manuals that address issues related to the theme. As it is not enough, we
also resorted to the use of the internet.

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2. Concept of Natural Disasters
According to Broesma; Downing & Thomas (2003), natural disasters represent a set of
phenomena that are part of terrestrial geodynamics, therefore, of the nature of the planet.
When they occur, they can have catastrophic consequences for humans and, despite the
advanced technology in the area, many natural disasters are unpredictable. According to the
authors mentioned above, it is mentioned that:

These natural phenomena represent the change of cycle on Earth. However, in current
times, these occurrences have increased significantly, which leads us to believe in
statistics and studies on the environment. In this sense, many disasters have occurred
because planet Earth is suffering more and more from global warming and the
greenhouse effect, resulting in an increase in natural disasters, caused by the
imbalance of nature (p. 27).

Also according to the authors, for human beings, many damages and losses are the result of
natural disasters, which generate various impacts on society. In turn, for nature, natural
disasters help in the renewal and maintenance of ecosystems, relief formation, and supply of
natural water sources, among others. The types of natural disasters are:

 Storms: they are storms of rain, snow, hail, sand, and lightning and can be highly
destructive, depending on the amount of precipitation (torrential rain) and the force
they present. They can lead to catastrophic situations, such as: landslides, ice, falling
trees or power towers, among others.
 Earthquakes (Earthquakes) and Seaquakes (Tsunamis): also called earthquakes,
they represent sudden and transient vibration phenomena of the Earth's surface that
occur through the movement of rocky plates, as well as volcanic activity and gas
displacements inside from the earth. The tidal waves or tsunamis are the earthquakes
that happen inside the seas, causing immense displacements of water.
 Hurricanes, Cyclones and Typhoons: phenomena intensified by air masses and
depending on the force they hit, they can devastate entire cities.
 Drought: intensified in recent years with global warming, drought has become a
problem faced by many groups around the world. In this way, climate change
demonstrates that there were several consequences of human actions for centuries on
the planet, generating problems such as drought and consequently the expansion of the
desertification process.

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  Volcanic Eruptions: volcanic eruptions are dangerous as the lava expelled by
volcanoes is so hot that it can destroy communities, plants and animals, depending on
where they act.
 Floods: floods or inundations are natural phenomena, intensified by human action and
which have increased significantly in recent decades. An example is the excess of
garbage, which clogs the culverts, preventing the passage of water. Floods and
inundations, caused by the increase in the amount of rain and impediment to
evacuation, cause landslides that can lead to the death of thousands of people, in
addition to great destruction.

From the point of view of the authors mentioned above, we can say that natural disasters are
geographical and atmospheric changes that cause great alteration in the environment and that
occur regularly or irregularly. earthquakes or severe or violent weather conditions such as
tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, floods, forest fires and snowstorms are examples.

Natural disasters have always happened, even before the appearance of men. The big question
that is being discussed today is how the catastrophes of nature have increased systematically
in recent times, both in quantity and in intensity. The number of natural disasters has tripled in
recent years due to climate change such as global warming, according to Jan Egeland, director
of the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs

2.1.Causes and Consequences of Natural Disasters

According to Saito (2015), the main causes of natural disasters are related to one or more of
the following conditions:

 Concern for the environment;

 Logging;
 Economic goals.

Still conforming Saito (2015), many environmental disasters result from the lack of zeal for
the environment. Tragedies caused by human action are often the result of economic
objectives, when profit takes precedence over concern for environmental care. Follow Saito
(2015), main consequences:

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  Health and sanitary problems;
 Destabilization of fauna and flora;
 Displacement of people;
 homeless people;
 Economic damage.

Broesma; Downing & Thomas (2003) state that some of the main natural disasters that have
marked the world today were:

 Indonesia Earthquake and Tsunami: On December 26, 2004, a magnitude 9

earthquake devastated much of the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The world's third
largest tidal wave hit about fifteen countries in the region, resulting in the deaths of
more than 230,000 people.
 Hurricane Katrina: on August 29, 2005, a huge category 5 hurricane appeared in the
United States, responsible for destroying part of the southern coastal region of the
country. Wind speeds exceeded 280 kilometers per hour and resulted in the death of
2,000 people.
 Haiti Earthquake: On January 12, 2010, Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, was hit
by a magnitude 7 earthquake, killing more than 200,000 people.

According to Broesma; Downing & Thomas (2003), global climate change affects the entire
planet, with Mozambique being one of the countries that are included in the list, since lately
they have a large increase in the occurrence of natural disasters around the world. In addition
to the drought that plagues the north and northeast regions of the country, the intensification
of precipitation, together with climatic phenomena, for example, “El Ninõ”, demonstrate the
increase in temperatures of the pluviometric index (rain) and storms, resulting in several
catastrophes. all over the country.

According to the authors mentioned above, in such a way, while the northern and northeastern
regions suffer from drought, the southeastern and southern regions, at the same time, suffer
from increased rainfall, leading to an increase in flooding and landslides. Most disasters in
Brazil (about 80%) are closely related to atmospheric instabilities, responsible for the
development of natural disasters, including floods, windstorms, tornadoes, hail and landslides.

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2.2.Cause and Consequences of Natural Disasters in Mozambique
The worst floods on record in Mozambique occurred in 2000. The Zambezi River overflowed
leaving the Beira region almost completely submerged. The floods killed 800 people and
caused at least 100,000 refugees, with the south of the country running out of drinking water
and food shortages for a long time (NAM, 2006).

On February 23, an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale was recorded in central and
southern Mozambique, which caused five deaths and 27 injuries. On March 15, a new 5.3
earthquake hit the provinces of Sofala and Manica, in the center of the country, without
causing damage. On February 22, tropical cyclone Favio hit the Vilankulo district of
Inhambane province with an intensity equivalent to a Category 4 storm, killing nine people
and affecting more than 160,000 (NAM, 2006).

Globally, the rains and floods that have occurred since January of that year have affected
around 500,000 people. The crops were completely destroyed and the country needed a food
assistance plan from the World Food Program (WFP) due to the risks of food insecurity of the
populations. Cyclone Jokwe caused 10 deaths and affected the districts of Dondo, Chemba,
Marromeu and Shinde, also in the center of the country (NAM, 2006).

Tropical Storm Dando, category 1, caused flooding in the south of the country, damaging
homes and schools in Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane provinces. The combined impact of
tropical storms Dando, Funso and Irina, which hit Mozambique during that month, caused 44
deaths and more than 100,000 people affected. Estimates showed that 28,000 homes, 735
schools and 31 health facilities were destroyed or damaged. More than 140 thousand hectares
of crops were affected and more than 40 thousand hectares destroyed (NAM, 2006).

Floods, which began in October 2012, in southern Mozambique caused more than 113 deaths
and affected more than 240,000 people, most of them due to rivers overflowing, according to
the final assessment, made in February. The province most affected was Gaza, which had two
locations, Chókwé and Caniçado, completely submerged by the waters of the Limpopo River.
In the same year, a cholera epidemic broke out in the northern province of Cabo Delgado
(NAM, 2006).

Tropical Cyclone Helen caused heavy rains in the northern province of Cabo Delgado,
leaving more than 10,000 people homeless. Heavy seasonal rains that started in December
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2014 caused flooding in northern and central Mozambique, with the Government issuing a red
warning on January 12, 2015. According to official data, around 400,000 people were affected
in Zambézia provinces. , Nampula, Niassa, Cabo Delgado and Manica. Nearly 15,000 houses
were damaged and another 22,000 were completely destroyed. More than 17,000 people were
left homeless (NAM, 2006).

Powered by heavy rains and flooding, an outbreak of cholera was declared in December 2014.
In total, 8,835 cases and 65 deaths were recorded. At least 44 people died and 79,000 people
were affected by the rains and floods in Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane and Nampula provinces.
The provisional balance of the passage of Cyclone Idai is 557 dead, of which 242 in
Mozambique, 259 in Zimbabwe and 56 in Malawi. The cyclone affected at least 2.8 million
people in the three African countries and the submerged area in Mozambique is around 1,300
square kilometers, according to estimates by international organizations (NAM, 2006).

The city of Beira, in central Mozambique, was one of the most affected by the cyclone, on the
night of March 14, and the UN warned that 400,000 displaced people needed urgent help,
valued at more than US$40 million (more than 35 million euros). More than a week after the
storm, thousands of people are still waiting for help in areas hit by winds in excess of 170
kilometers per hour, heavy rains and floods, which have left a trail of destruction in cities,
villages and agricultural fields. Organizations involved in relief and humanitarian assistance
operations have warned of the danger of an outbreak of contagious diseases (NAM, 2006).

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3. Conclusion
It is concluded that, natural disasters represent a set of phenomena that are part of terrestrial
geodynamics, therefore, of the nature of the planet. When they occur, they can have
catastrophic consequences for humans and, despite the advanced technology in the area, many
natural disasters are unpredictable. Natural disasters have always happened, even before the
appearance of men. The big question that is being discussed today is how the catastrophes of
nature have increased systematically in recent times, both in quantity and in intensity.

The number of natural disasters has tripled in recent years due to climate change such as
global warming, according to Jan Egeland, director of the United Nations Office for
Humanitarian Affairs. The main causes of natural disasters are related to one or more of the
following conditions: Concern for the environment; Logging; Economic goals. Many
environmental disasters result from the lack of zeal for the environment. Tragedies caused by
human action are often the result of economic objectives, when profit takes precedence over
concern for environmental care. Main consequences: Health and sanitary problems;
Destabilization of fauna and flora; Displacement of people; homeless people; Economic
damage.

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4. Reference’s Bibliographical
Broesma, K.; Downing, T. e Thomas, J.P. (2003). National Adaptation Programmes of Action
– NAPA. Selection of exmaples and exercises drawn from regional NAPA preparation
workshops. UNFCCC. Geneva, Switzerland. 86 pag.

NAM [Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia]. (2006). Situação Ciclónica no período de 1998 a

2006. Maputo, Moçambique.

Saito, S. (2015). Desastres naturais: conceitos básicos. São José dos Campos: Instituto
Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais.