1.6 Human and economic impacts of natural disasters
Figure 3 shows the loss of life by disaster type and by continents during the period 1947-80.

Figure 4 a – economic losses in billion $ and number of events 1960-1988,

Figure 4 b – number of deaths and number of events during the same period. A trend is obvious but this may be an apparent trend, as the figures can not be verified in all cases.

Figure 5 - the impact of natural disasters in the Caribbean and Latin American region.

Figure 6 – the impact of selected disasters in the Caribbean region. Compare the figures on economic losses vs. international assistance.

1.7 Hazard management activities
Following OAS/DRDE (1991, p.1-12), natural hazard management process can be divided into:
PROACTIVE RESPONSE:
A) Pre-event measures:
1. Mitigation of Hazards
. . . a. Data collection and analysis,
. . . b. Vulnerability reduction

2. Preparation for Disasters:
. . . a. Prediction,
. . . b. Emergency preparedness (including monitoring, alert, evacuation),
. . . c. Education and training.

REACTIVE RESPONSE:
B) Measures during and immediately after disasters:
1. Rescue
2. Relief
C) Post-disaster measures:
1. Rehabilitation
2. Reconstruction