Information on Populations at Risk

A. Introduction

This chapter provides reference information for dealing with populations that are at risk. This information is useful for Assessment Teams gathering information on the plight and condition of at-risk populations or for a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) that has been sent to assist in dealing with relief activities targeted at people at risk.

At-risk populations are those groups of people who are vulnerable to the adverse effects of a disaster (natural or human-caused) and have been placed in situations where they are at an increased risk to their health or safety. They are at risk because of the disruption or loss of their normal community and social support systems that provide the critical elements of their survival: water, food, health care, shelter, and sanitation. The negative impacts on at-risk populations typically increase the longer people are displaced from their homes. In some cases, these populations have also traveled great distances from their homes to escape protracted disasters, such as famine, drought, and civil strife.
Next: B. Immediate Response
TOC: Information on Populations at Risk